qualitative and quantitative measurement

material is taken from
social research method 7th edition (w.lawrence Neuman)
chapter 7

1. Qualitative and quantitative measurement Shakeela Asghar MS sociology from iiui Bs sociology from iiu i

2. The measurement process: When we measure, we connect an invisible concepts or ideas in our minds with a technique process with which we observe the ideas in the empirical world. In quantitative studies we start with abstract ideas and end with empirical data. In qualitative studies we mix ideas and data while gathering data. We use two process in measurement : conceptualization & operationalization.

3. Conceptualization: Conceptualization is taking an abstract construct and refining it by giving it a conceptual and theoretical definition. Conceptualization is basically a statement of any idea in your mind in specific world or term that are linked with others ideas and constructs. It’s not a magical way to construct , its involve thinking carefully, observing directly, consulting with others , reading the articles what other said or describe and then finally trying to make possible definition by your self with the help of old literature and observing. the definition must be clear, explicit and have specific meaning. Conceptualization is highly creative and produce new directions.

4. Conti….. A single construct have several definition. Conceptual definition linked to theoretical framework. Some concepts are highly abstract and complex others are concrete and simple. As a researcher we aware of how complex abstract a construct is. We need three things in measurement process: a construct a measurement a ability to recognize what we are looking for

5. Operationalization: The process of moving from a construct conceptual definition to specific activities or measures that allow a researcher to observe it empirically. Its could be a survey, questionnaire, a method of observing events in field setting , content analysis or any other process that reflect or represent the abstract, construct as its expressed in the conceptual definition. Theory has many abstract concept, assumption and cause and effect relationship by contrast empirical measure are very concrete action in specific real situation with actual people and event.

6. conti … Operationalization connect the language of theory with the language of empirical measure. Measures are specific to the operation we engage into indicators the presence or absence of a construct. Its exists in concrete through observation and techniques.

7. Quantitative conceptualization and operationalization

8. Quantitative conceptualization and operationalization Quantitative measurement procedure in a sequence first conceptualization, next operationalization and then the collection of data. We link abstract ideas to measure procedure that produce information or result in a form of numbers. One way to do this with the rules of correspondence. Rules of correspondence are standards that researcher use to connect abstract constructs with measurement operation in empirical social reality.

9. Conti… When we measure, we link the three level together and move deductively from the abstract to concrete. We consider the three levels : conceptual operational empirical First, we conceptualize the variable giving it clear conceptual definition. Next, we operationalize it by developing an operational definition or set of indicator for it. Lastly, we apply indicators to collect data and test empirical hypothesis.

10. Conti.. At the conceptual level we are interested in the casual relationship between the variables that is called conceptual hypothesis. Conceptual hypothesis: a type of hypothesis that express variable and the relationship among them in abstract and conceptual term. At operational level we are interested in testing empirical hypothesis. Empirical hypothesis: determine the degree of association between indicator. At that level we consider correlation, statistics and questionnaire.

11. Conti… The third level is the empirical reality of the lived social world. At that stage we capture what is taking place in lived social world and then relate back to the conceptual level. Conceptualization and operationalization are necessary for each variable.

12. Qualitative conceptualization and operationalization

13. Qualitative conceptualization and operationalization Conceptualization in qualitative: In qualitative research we didn’t refine abstract idea early into theoretical definition. We refine it during data collection and analysis process. After gather and analyze qualitative data we develop new concepts, formulate definition for major constructs and relationship among them. We link concept to create theocratical relationship.

14. Conti… We form and refine concept while examine data and ask theoretical question about the data. We need clear definition and express them in words and description of specific actions that linked to other ideas and are tried to data. In qualitative research conceptualization flaws largely from the data.

15. Conti… Operationalization in qualitative research: In qualitative research operationalization largely involve creating a description of how we use working ideas and concepts during observation. Operationalization describe how we gather data through observation and try to understand the data as the data evolved into abstract to concrete. Qualitative operationalization include using preexisting techniques and concepts that we blend with those that emerged during the data collection.

16. Casing: In qualitative research ideas and evidence are mutually interdependent. This applies particularly to case study analysis. Cases are not given before empirical units we defined it by theory and data. After analyzing the situation, researcher organize a data and applies ideas to create case. Developing cases in qualitative research is called casing. It brings the data and theory together.

17. Reference: social research method (Lawrence Neuman) chapter 7