What is conceptualization

This is why defining our concepts is so important. You might be asking yourself why you should bother defining a term for which there is no single, correct definition.

Believe it or not, this is true for any concept you might measure in a sociological study—there is never a single, always-correct definition. When we conduct empirical research, our terms mean only what we say they mean—nothing more and nothing less.

It depicts a young George Washington holding an ax and standing near a freshly chopped cherry tree. Young George is looking up at a frowning adult who is standing over him, arms crossed.

Without a shared understanding of this term, our understandings of what George has just done may differ. Thus any decision we make based on findings from empirical research should be made based on full knowledge not only of how the research was designed, as described in Chapter 5 "Research Design" , but also of how its concepts were defined and measured.

So how do we define our concepts? This is part of the process of measurement, and this portion of the process is called conceptualization The process of defining key terms or concepts. Conceptualization involves writing out clear, concise definitions for our key concepts. Sticking with the previously mentioned example of masculinity, think about what comes to mind when you read that term.

How do you know masculinity when you see it? Does it have something to do with men? With social norms? If so, perhaps we could define masculinity as the social norms that men are expected to follow. That seems like a reasonable start, and at this early stage of conceptualization, brainstorming about the images conjured up by concepts and playing around with possible definitions is appropriate.

But this is just the first step. Understanding prior definitions of our key concepts will also help us decide whether we plan to challenge those conceptualizations or rely on them for our own work. Ask the Editors 'Everyday' vs. What Is 'Semantic Bleaching'?

How 'literally' can mean "figuratively". Literally How to use a word that literally drives some pe Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice? The awkward case of 'his or her'.

Take the quiz. Our Favorite New Words How many do you know? True or False? Without a shared understanding of this term, our understandings of what George has just done may differ. Thus, any decision we make based on empirical research findings should be based on full knowledge of how the research was designed, as described in Chapter 7, and how its concepts were defined and measured. So, how do we define our concepts? This is the part of the measurement process known as conceptualization.

The way that we define, or conceptualize, our concepts depends on how we plan to approach out research. We will begin with quantitative conceptualization and then discuss qualitative conceptualization. In quantitative research, conceptualization involves writing out clear, concise definitions for our key concepts. Think about what comes to mind when you read the term masculinity. How do you know masculinity when you see it?

Does it have something to do with men or with social norms? If so, perhaps we could define masculinity as the social norms that men are expected to follow. That seems like a reasonable start, and at this early stage of conceptualization, brainstorming about the images conjured up by concepts and playing around with possible definitions is appropriate. However, this is just the first step. In addition, we should consult previous research and theory to understand the definitions that other scholars have already given for the concepts we are interested in.

Understanding prior definitions of our key concepts will also help us decide whether we plan to challenge those conceptualizations or rely on them for our own work. Finally, working on conceptualization is likely to help in the process of refining your research question to one that is specific and clear in what it asks.

If we turn to the literature on masculinity, we will surely come across work by Michael Kimmel, one of the preeminent masculinity scholars in the United States. It also implies that roles, behaviors, and meanings may vary across societies and over time. The process may involve some initial brainstorming, but conceptualization goes beyond that.

Are there terms used within our definition that also need to be defined? If so, our conceptualization is not yet complete. Offer does not apply to e-Collections and exclusions of select titles may apply. Offer expires December 31, Browse Titles. What is Conceptualization 1. The process involving the identification of the meaning of a concept, or construct i. Learn more in: Toward a Conceptualization of Organizational Modularity. The comprehension of grammatical and contextual use as well as the cultural load of a new lexical item.

Task for visually impaired persons to construct categories by capturing spatial information cues in nonspeech audio Learn more in: Toward a Novel Human Interface for Conceptualizing Spatial Information in Non-Speech Audio.

To describe a scientific idea or theory in relation to refer to a specific topic, in this case problematic mobile phone use. One of the most important processes of cognitive activity of the human consisting in judgment of information arriving to him and leading to formation of conceptual structures in a brain of the person.

A conceptualization is an abstract and simplified point of view of phenomena of a real world situation, which is interesting for subjects in the attainment of their aims.