Operationalization

of
Variables
 Measurement
• In quantitative research designing precise ways to
measure variables is vital step at the planning
stage.
• Develop techniques that can produce quantitative
data. Move from abstract ideas to produce precise
numerical information.
• Contemplate and reflect on concepts prior to the
gathering of data.
• Qualitative researchers mostly do it during data
collection.
 Operationalization
• Process of measurement of the variable.
• The process of moving from theoretical definition
of the variable to specific activities or measures
that allow the researcher to observe it empirically.
 Operational definition
• Definition of the variable in terms of the specific
actions to identify as well as to measure
empirically.
Steps in operationalization
 Specify the variable
• Variable: Achievement motivation
• Though focus is on motivation still let us look at its
context i.e. achievement
• Achievement: Intentional goal directed actions.
• Substitute goals with needs. Then it is intentional
need directed actions. Behaviors
• Specifically it comes to nAchievement.
 nAchievement
• Could be looked at from different angles. Could
have different indicators. Call these as
dimensions.
• Dimensions are the different angles (aspects) of
the variable that could be used to identify the
variable.
Dimensions of Achievement
• Three dimensions (MeClelland):
• 1. Need for power. Achieving control over various
units of interest (resources, people) to the
individual.
• 2. Need for affiliation. Achieving association with
individuals, groups, and organizations.
• 3. Need for achievement. Attaining standard of
excellence, seeking the accomplishment of a task,
challenge, or competition.
 Elements of dimensions
• Breaking each dimension further into actual
patterns of behavior that would be exhibited
• Need for power: control over the job, the skills,
the people, the resources.
• Need for affiliation: achieving association with
certain circles, with management, membership
with organizations.
• Need for achievement: attaining standard of
excellence, accomplishment of tasks, meeting
challenges, fighting competition.
 Achievement Motivation
• Theoretically motivation is the force that
energizes, directs, and sustains a person to
perform an act.
• Achievement motivation is an urge that arouses
an organism to act to the achievement of needs.
• How strong is the urge?
• The strength of needs to be achieved determines
the strength of urge (motivation). Hypothesis.
• Strength of each of the three needs could vary.
• Over all level of strength is likely to determine the
level of achievement motivation
 Operationalization of
achievement motivation
• Theoretically motivation is an urge in the
organism displayed through its behavior.
• Indicators of this urge portrayed in the behavior.
Reduce the abstraction to observable behavior.
Dimensions.
• Review of literature provides an inventory of more
than 17 dimensions of job related achievement
motivation.
• Let us look at some of these.
 Some commonly used
dimensions and elements
of
achievement motivation
 Dimension 1. Engagement:
• Desire to be regularly engaged in job related
activity. Place high priority on work.
“Workaholics” neglecting aspects of personal life.
Elements of dimension 1
• Such person will be:
• i. Always at work
• ii. Reluctant to take time off from work
• iii. Persevere (even in face of some setbacks).
• Busy in work related activities.
• Work drives in office, after office, even at home.
• How frequently people take time off from their
job?
Statements like:
• I am reluctant to take time off from work.
• I keep trying for achieving the goals despite
setbacks.
• It is very difficult for me to continue to do
work in case of initial failures.
• I am very disappointed if I do not achieve the
goal I had set for myself.
Dimension 2. Unable to relax
• Persons are unable to direct their attention
to other than work related activity.
Elements of dimension 2
• Those who are able to relax don’t think of
work/work place. So they don’t relax.
• The person continues thinking about work
while away from work place.
• The person has no time to pursue hobbies.
• How is the time spent when away from place
of work?
•
Statements like:
• I often neglect my personal matters because I
am preoccupied with my job.
• I often think of my work when I am at home.
Dimension 3. Impatience with
ineffectiveness.
• Tendency to take responsibility for one’s own
actions. Perseverance.
• Prefer to work on their own rather than with
slow workers..
Elements of dimension 3
• No patience with ineffective people.
• Work alone
Statements like:
• I push myself to get the job done on time.
• I prefer to work alone than with others.
• Being part of team is less important for me
than doing good work on my own.
• I am very disappointed if I do not achieve the
goal I had set for myself.
Dimension 4. Preference for
challenging jobs
• Seek out challenging rather than easy tasks.
• Seek out greater challenges once difficult
task completed.
• Difficult task with moderate risk of failure.
Elements of dimension 4
• Preference for challenging jobs. No routine
jobs.
• Be realistic: neither too challenging nor low
challenging. Moderate challenges
Statements like:
• I like situations, in which I can find out how
capable I am
• I enjoy situations, in which I can make use of
my abilities.
• I am attracted by tasks, in which I can test my
abilities.
• I prefer to work on challenging jobs.
• I compete with others for the achievement of
my goals.
Dimension 5. Seeking feedback
• Like to know how they were progressing.
• Like to get feedback from their superiors,
colleagues, and even juniors.
Elements of dimension 5
• Feedback (positive/negative) on their work.
• Feedback used for improving achievement,
mastery of skills, control on others.
Statements like:
• I always look for feedback from others.
• I am disappointed if others do not give me
feedback on my work.
 Make statements
• Measure the level of achievement motivation
by making statements.
• Put the responses on Likert scale (could be 5
point scale).
• See examples of statements on variety of
dimensions even beyond what we discussed.
 Statements
No Statements S. Agree Agree Undecided Disagree S. Disagree
1 I like situations, in which I can find
out how capable I am
2 I enjoy situations, in which I can
make use of my abilities.
3 I am appealed by situations
allowing me to test my abilities.
4 I am attracted by tasks, in which I
can test my abilities.
5 I feel uneasy to do something if I
am not sure of succeeding.
6 Even if nobody would notice my
failure, I’m afraid of tasks, which
I’m not able to solve
7 If I do not understand a problem
immediately I start feeling anxious.
8 I push myself to get the job done
on time.
No Statements S. Agree Agree Undecided Disagree S. Disagree
9 It is very difficult for me to
continue to do work in case of
initial failures.
10 I often neglect my personal matters
because I am preoccupied with my
job.
11 I often think of my work when I am
at home.
12 I am very disappointed if I do not
achieve the goal I had set for
myself.
13 I am very focused on achieving my
goals.
14 I am unhappy if I make mistakes.

15 I prefer to work alone than with

others.
16 I prefer to work on challenging
jobs.
No Statements S. Agree Agree Undecided Disagree S. Disagree
17 I don’t mind taking up difficult
tasks.
18 I always look for feedback from
my seniors.
19 I welcome comments on my
work from my co-workers.
20 I am disappointed if others do
not give me feedback on my
work.

21 I like taking risks.

22 I compete with others for the

achievement of my goals.
23 I don’t have time for any
hobbies.
24 Being part of team is less
important for me than doing
good work on my own.
No Statements S. Agree Undecided Disagree S.
Agree Disagree
25 I look for achieving standards of
excellence.
26 I continuously improve my skills to
meet the emerging challenges.
27 I have the abilities to take
initiatives in my field.
28 I am sure that I will get affiliation
29 Iwith
havemy theprofessional
abilities to organization.
lead the work
in my profession.
30 I am reluctant to take time off from
work.
31 I keep trying for achieving the goals
despite setbacks.