CHAPTER 5

Operationalize Phase

Chapter 5 – Operationalize Phase

Chapter Outline• Introduction• What is Operationalization?• Inputs to Operationalization• Approaches to Operationalization• The Operationalize Phase of Theory Building• Outputs of the Operationalize Phase• Summary of the Steps• Quality Indicators for the Operationalize Phase• Conclusions

Introduction

What is Operationalization?The conversion of the theory into observable, measureable and confirmable components or elements.

Inputs to Operationalization

A set of linked concepts with relationships specified and described.

Approaches to Operationalization

• Quantitative – Propositions, Empirical Indicators and Hypotheses.

• Qualitative – Falsifiability – or indicators for non-fitting descriptions or qualities.

• Mixed Methods – A combination of hypotheses and non-fitting descriptors.

The Operationalize Phase of Theory BuildingThe major steps of this phase are to (1) describe the propositions of the theory, (2) describe the results indicators of the theory, and (3) develop the research questions of the theory.

Outputs of the Operationalize Phase

Confirmable propositions, hypotheses, empirical indicators, knowledge claims, falsifiable principles and / or non-fitting descriptors.

Summary of the Steps

Quality Indicators of the Operationalize Phase

Three general criteria can be applied to the propositions, results indicators, and research questions generated in the Operationalize phase of theory building. • Parsimony, • Quality & track record of measurement instruments• Specificity of the research questions.

Conclusion

• The Challenge of the Operationalize Phase is to convert the theory into investigate-able components. How will you be able to tell if the theory fits or has utility and the degree to which the theory fits or has utility?

• Traditional approaches use hypothesis testing, and other approaches require more work on the part of the theorist to identify descriptions of a well-fitting theory versus a non-fitting theory.