PSYCH 610 Operational Variables Lecture Notes PDF

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PSYCH 610 OPERATIONAL VARIABLES LECTURE NOTES Operational definitions are an essential element of any research project. When we are developing our project one thing we need to consider is how we are defining the variables and the behaviors that we may be observing. Operational definitions give us a specific to focus on. They make it easy for us to know exactly what we are observing and collecting data on. When you think about your research project how might you start the operational definitions for your variables? Operational variables is how specific variables of a study is defined and measured. I would also ask questions and seek answers via survey. When you are doing research it is important to know what it is you want to study is the beginning of the process When looking at different medications that are provided to our children and adolescent who are suffering with ADHD we have to look at the long term effects. Operational definition of a variable is defined as a set of procedures used to measure or manipulate a study. A variable must have an operational definition to be studied empirically. Variables can include aggression, cognitive task performance, pain, self esteem, or even word length. Variables must be defined in terms of the specific method used to measure or manipulate the study. I think in my research the operational definition of variables could be numerous. I could use people who are tattooed and people who are not, but all work in the same company and see how the tattooed people are treated differently. I could also measure the number of people tattooed and not tattooed in a workplace “The operational definition of a variable is the set of procedures used to measure or manipulate it” (Cozby, p. 75, ch 4). For my particular research, I want to move in the direction of depression amongst military members. I could see starting my operational definitional by measuring how often members with a minimum of 2 deployments experience depression post-deployment. Another direction I would move in is at ranks E-6 and above, how often are members involved with mental health treatment through visits or medication. I think those are two questions that can be measured and researched and verified by observation or experience and not based upon theory. There are two important benefits in operationally defining a variable. First, the task of developing an operational definition of a variable forces scientists to discuss abstract concepts in concrete terms. The process can result in the realization that the variable is too vague to study. This realization does not necessarily indicate that the concept is meaningless, but rather that systematic research is not possible until the concept can be operationally defined. In addition, operational definitions also help researchers communicate their ideas with others. If someone wishes to talk about aggression, the researcher needs to know exactly what is meant by this term because there are many ways of operationally defining it. For example, aggression could be defined as (1) the number and duration of shocks delivered to another person, (2) the number of times a child punches an inflated toy clown, (3) the number of times a child fights with other children during recess, (4) homicide statistics gathered from police records, (5) a score on a personality measure of aggressiveness, or even (6) the number of times a batter is hit with a pitch during baseball games. Communication with another person will be easier if we agree on exactly what we mean when we use the term aggression in the context of our research. (Cozby) When constructing a research project, one must begin with an idea that is not yet already solved and decide where there is a correlation between a causal factor and an effect. Typically, there are several variables that need to be considered to reduce biases and speculations. When considering behavioral research we must try our best to remove the human element and items that can skew the findings such as

only including a specific demographic, gender bias, limited age, and only selecting subjects in a set class such as (Autistic, dementia, intellectually disabled) without including a control group to eliminate data manipulation. “The operational definition of a variable is the set of procedures used to measure or manipulate it. A variable must have an operational definition to be studied empirically” (Cozby, 2015, p.74). Measurements and procedures to gauge variables such as behavioral trends and anomalies include self-reporting scales, data from hospitalizations, score cards that demonstrate a marked increase or decrease in an individual’s abilities. An example is when a teacher, student, and external observer collect data on the student and compare the scholastic, behavioral, and social behaviors over a set period of time to determine efficacy of interventions, teaching methods, and social supports which can be compared with others in the same program, a control group and or over time for the one specific student. According to Cozby (2015), “the operational definition of a variable is the set of procedures used to measure or manipulate it. A variable must have an operational definition to be studied empirically” (p. 74). I thought that I would pick an interesting as well as a fun topic for my research paper, internet dating after age 50. I picked this because I am well over 50 years old and single. I am not interested at all at this point with internet dating, but I have quite a few friends who do frequent online dating applications. So, I thought I would research this phenomenon to see what it is all about to this group of singles. As far as an operational definition for online dating after 50. How many dates do online daters over 50 average per month? I could also break the definition down into gender groups and say how many dates do women and men over 50 go on per month. Not sure if I am on the right track with this one? Professor? The operational definition is one that is needed in any research study that is going to be conducted. It is used in order to measure and manipulate the procedures that will be used in the study (Cozby, 2015). One would need to make sure that the operational definition is going to match up with the study they are doing in order for it to have validity. When I think about my research project and how I might start with the operational definitions for my variables I would like to start with a survey that is handed out to the teenagers if it has to do with teen pregnancy in order to find out what knowledge they may have about it. I feel that this would be a good start and would help in getting the variables of the research project. The operational definition of a variable, “is the set of procedures used to measure or manipulate” the variables to reduce the number of factors that can change research. (Cozby, 2014, p 74). Without identifying operational definitions the project will have friction with increased errors and confusion. My research project will be focused on women of domestic violence. The variables would be, the age, culture, amount of time in abusive relationship, and current coping. The operational definitions in the research would be, history assessments and counseling reports. Looking into these records can help identify specifics and familiarities in histories to create a control group and an experimental group. The variables can be manipulated by specifically putting women in specific groups such as; culture, age, amount of time in abuse, and current coping skills. Women who have been in a long-term relationship that has been abusive will be less willing to leave the relationship and women who have left their relationships early can be open to discussing the abuse and treatment....