Making clear what we are talking about A problem In informal conversation we often have a different understanding of the words we use You and I may not really imagine the same thing when we talk about dogs and cats ID: 244777
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Slide1
Conceptualization
Making clear what we are talking aboutSlide2
A problem
In informal conversation, we often have
a different understanding of the words
we
use
You and I may not really imagine the same thing when we talk about dogs and cats
It’s even more likely when we consider very abstract ideas like “honor” or “love”
The same is true of scholars studying various
ideasSlide3
Theory
Theory is dependent upon concepts, so careful definition of concepts is
a critical part of theory development
Though we’ll tend to look at concepts one at a time it is necessary to take all the concepts in a theory into account simultaneously
when “conceptualizing”Slide4
Conceptualization
Conceptualization is the first step in explication
Conceptualization refers to
the careful analysis of
general
ideas known as
concepts
An intellectual process
Conceptualization takes us from the realm of vague, ambiguous ‘concepts’ to clearer, more distinct ‘constructs
’
Constructs are sufficiently concrete that researchers can develop measures of themSlide5
Don’t get confused
What I am defining as a ‘construct’ is often called a ‘conceptual definition’ by others
The terms are often mixed up by different people
This is a case of the very problem noted aboveSlide6
Constructs help
readers
understand what
we
mean when using a given term
Otherwise, the reader may have a very different perception of what the concept means than we (as authors) do
Presence
Violence
Enjoyment
AgeSlide7
Conceptualizing
A number of methods can be used to refine concepts to where we can develop meaningful tests/measures of them
Meaning analysis
Inclusion analysis
Exclusion analysis
Theoretical necessitySlide8
Meaning analysis
First, we review scholars’ definitions of the terms
Evaluate agreements and disagreements
Review the relative success of different uses
Evaluate dimensions within scales/measures for multiple components
We may review popular use of the terms
Webster’s definition
Roget’s thesaurus
Sticking close to common use of terms makes it easier to translate our work into something people can understandSlide9
Meaning analysis
L
ook
for sub-concepts
Watch
for multiple concepts based on the same
term
That is, a single word may stand for very different ideas
There may be scholars using different terms to describe the same idea we are interested in
Find these terms and review research carried out using themSlide10
Example: Self-Efficacy
Self-efficacy
has been defined in a variety of ways: as the belief that one is capable of performing in a certain manner to attain certain goals,
[1]
as a person’s belief about their capabilities to produce designated levels of performance that exercise influence over events that affect their lives.
[2]
It is a belief that one has the capabilities to execute the courses of actions required to manage prospective situations. It has been described in other ways as the concept has evolved in the literature and in society: as the sense of belief that one’s actions have an effect on the environment
[3]
; as a person’s judgment of his or her capabilities based on mastery criteria; a sense of a person’s competence within a specific framework, focusing on the person’s assessment of their abilities to perform specific tasks in relation to goals and standards rather than in comparison with others’ capabilities. Additionally, it builds on personal past experiences of mastery.
[
4
WikipediaSlide11
Subconcepts
Belief in personal ability to perform an act
Belief that performing the act will have the desired outcomeSlide12
Inclusion analysis
We think of actual events or objects or behaviors we would want to count as an example of the
concept
When we apply our conceptual definition to the real-world example, does the example fall under the definition?
If not, rewrite the definitionSlide13
Example: Videogame addiction
Playing for 48 hours straight without eating
Playing every day
Giving up personal relationships to maintain online gamingSlide14
Exclusion analysis
Are real-world behaviors, etc. that we feel
should not
be considered examples of the concept excluded under the definition?
Usually this means checking to see that similar but distinct
examples do not get scored as examples of the concept under study
If not, rewrite the definitionSlide15
Example: Videogame addiction
Setting aside an hour every day to play
Becoming so absorbed in the game you lose track of time
Buying the newest version of your favorite games as soon as they come outSlide16
Theoretical necessity
When we look at a concept within the context of a theory, the meaning of the concept may change
What is required of the concept for it to fit within the theory under study?
Adjust the conceptual definition to meet the requirements for the researchSlide17
Example: TV Violence
Cultivation theory
Inclusion of natural
disaster
Intent unnecessary
Exposure-aggression theories
Exclusion of natural disaster
Intent necessary?Slide18
Reconceptualization
Continual review of
conceptual
definitions should occur as a result of new research
Your own results should be taken into account when preparing for new research
The conceptualizations other researchers use, and their results should be taken into account in future research
Continuing refinement of concepts is part of scientific progressSlide19
Reconceptualization
Occasionally, a major theoretical review is necessary
Cohen’s review of identification is
an example
Multiple, conflicting conceptual definitions develop
Careful analysis is needed to explain how they developed, why they have differing and often contradictory features, and when and how the varying definitions seem to be more or less effectiveSlide20
Example: Framing
Vastly varied and often incompatible definitions
Mass confusion in framing research and theory
Reese’s attempt to provide a definition to the field
Failed to be widely adopted
In a number of cases, the definition was cited but inappropriately applied to research