Conceptualization and Operationalization4) Conceptualization* Concepts: mental images we use as summary devices for bringing together observations and experiences that seem to have something in common * Conceptualization: the process of specifying the vague mental imagery of our concept sorting out the kinds of observations and measurements that will be appropriate for our research. * Conceptualization means drawing boundaries around terms to make them tangible. Examples: personality, terrorism, violence, democracy, international law…etc.
How to conceptualize: First define and then operationalize (which is one way of defining concepts). 1- definition by synonym or linguistic definition (What is democracy?), 2- definition by classification, (example: classification of political cultures) 3- definition by enumeration (What is OPEC?), 4- definition by example, Ex. Consolidated democracy such as Britain… 5- definition by exclusion, Ex. By 'research' I do not mean going to the drugstore, picking up a magazine, and copying the ideas and words of the first article you see that looks like it might acceptable enough to make into a speech." This statement obviously means that such practice is forbidden. 6- definition by measurable indicators (operationalization). Ex. "intelligence" is often defined as the score one gets on an intelligence test. In real world, we combine several of these methods together to come up with a reliable and valid definition and measurement of the phenomenon we study. 5) Operationalization of complex concepts
Exercise: define and operationalize religiosity.
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