Sociology: General Terms and Concepts

A Dictionary of Sociology A Dictionary of Sociology Further reading

operational definition

A Dictionary of Sociology | 1998 | | Copyright

operational definition, operationalization The transformation of an abstract, theoretical concept into something concrete, observable, and measurable in an empirical research project. Operational definitions are pragmatic and realistic indicators of more diffuse notions. For example, one way of operationalizing the concept of social class might be to ask people what type of job they do, and code their replies as either ‘working class’ or ‘middle class’. An alternative operationalization of the same concept would be to ask respondents to which class (if any) they felt they belonged. As will be seen from this example, operational definitions are crucial to the process of measurement, and are often the most controversial aspect of any research design.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

GORDON MARSHALL. "operational definition." A Dictionary of Sociology. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

GORDON MARSHALL. "operational definition." A Dictionary of Sociology. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O88-operationaldefinition.html

GORDON MARSHALL. "operational definition." A Dictionary of Sociology. 1998. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O88-operationaldefinition.html

Learn more about citation styles

definition, operational

A Dictionary of Sociology | 1998 | | Copyright

definition, operational See OPERATIONAL DEFINITION.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

GORDON MARSHALL. "definition, operational." A Dictionary of Sociology. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

GORDON MARSHALL. "definition, operational." A Dictionary of Sociology. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O88-definitionoperational.html

GORDON MARSHALL. "definition, operational." A Dictionary of Sociology. 1998. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O88-definitionoperational.html

Learn more about citation styles

Free newspaper and magazine articles

	Operational Definitions for Higher-Order Thinking Objectives at the... Magazine article from: Academic Exchange Quarterly; 9/22/2000
	An operational definition of the homebound. Magazine article from: Health Services Research; 2/1/1992
	An operational definition of class participation. Magazine article from: College Student Journal; 12/1/2006