Quant #06: Conceptualization and Operationalization

In designing quantitative research, we typically start with concepts. Concepts are abstract mental images of how we see the world. Conceptualization refers to the process of specifying what we mean by certain terms. For example, if a researcher claims that they want to investigate a given behavior in a certain group, they must specify what is meant by behavior.

Once the conceptualization is done, it is important to determine how the concept of interest will be measured. The process that one follows to convert abstract concepts into measurable variables is known as operationalization. For example, it may be decided that behaviors will be measured by looking at people's attitudes (to the extent this can be measured). Other concepts that may require operationalization to be measured include intelligence, motivation, and others.