CRM 322: Research Methods in Criminology
Operationalizing Variables Lab
The purpose of this assignment is to understand how to transform abstract research ideas into concrete measures (i.e., operationalizing variables). This assignment involves several steps that will start with the process of defining concepts and end with specific ways to operationalize variables.
Key terms:
Conceptual definition – abstract meaning applied to the concept (may be found in the glossary of a textbook or the introduction of a scholarly article)
Operational definition – the specific way the variable is measured in a study (typically found in the Method section of a scholarly empirical article)
Part I
- Find 4 different conceptual definitions of the term: juvenile delinquency. Provide a copy of each definition along with the source from which you obtained each definition. Do not simply include links to websites.
- Discuss how the four definitions are similar or different from one another.
Part II
- Select 1 of the 4 conceptual definitions from Part I. Identify 4 specific behaviors or characteristics you could use to determine if a participant in your study fit your chosen definition. For example, individuals under 18 years old who _________ will be considered juvenile delinquents.
- If you were going to collect data to measure the behaviors/characteristics you identified above, which of the following methods would you select and why?
Methods of Operationalizing Variables
- Verbal (self) report – variables measured in the way individuals respond to questions
- Observation – variables measured by directly observing behaviors
- Archival records – variables measured by looking at existing recorded information
- Discuss the relative advantages and disadvantages of each method for measuring the concept?
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