verb · academic
operationalize
UK/ˌɒpəˈreɪʃənəlaɪz/US/ˌɑːpəˈreɪʃənəlaɪz/o·per·a·TION·al·ize
to define a concept so it can be measured or tested in research
Examples
“We operationalized 'academic engagement' as class attendance and time spent on homework.”
“Before analysing the survey, the team operationalized each vague term into numerical scales.”
“In the Method section you must operationalize any abstract construct you use.”
Band 8 sentence
“To ensure replicable results, the study operationalized subjective wellbeing using validated scales for mood, sleep quality and daily functioning.”
Collocations
- operationalize a concept
- operationalize the variable
Word family
Common mistakes
We need operationalization the variable.→We need to operationalize the variable.
We operationalize variable before analysis.→We operationalize the variable before analysis.
They operationalize concept abstract.→They operationalize an abstract concept.
Say it for a higher band
5define→6measure→7+operationalize
Synonyms
define
Easily confused
define
“The researcher defined intelligence in broad terms before deciding how to measure it.”
Related words
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In Science & Research
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