Concepts and Measurement
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Concepts and Measurement
Concept formation is described as the process of gaining experiences through research
and making research outcomes more meaningful. The Santori article indicates how various
problems are associated with conceptualization in the past period and even in the modern
periods. Issues of conceptualization have not improved as the field of politics and public
administration has been affected by quantitative personnel and logical thinker1. The confusion
has developed due to conflicting issues on how research on politics should be carried out2.
People are trying to find perfection in the field of politics which can rarely be achieved.
Conceptualization basically involves qualitative methods and therefore, quantitative
methods can not answer the objectives of research without deploying the use of qualitative
exercise. Making conclusions based on basic characteristics such as considering the same
attributes cannot develop a concept in the research field. There must be a logic classification
to specify a certain concept in the quantification of political science research. Measurement
serves to bridge concepts with observations.
Observable implications are developed through the formulation of a research question
and objectives developed to find an answer for theories. The implications test a theory by
using claims and the existing relationships between variables that can be observed. The
process of developing a hypothesis is enhanced through the understanding of dependent
variables and independent variables.
Measuring validity is defined as the extent to which a measured scale indicates a
specific idea or a concept. To be effective, the nature of the test should be able to include all
the content by covering all the relevant areas of study which needs to be measured. All the
1Fuchs, D., & Roller, E. (2018). Conceptualizing and Measuring the Quality of Democracy: The
Citizens’ Perspective. Politics and Governance, 6(1), 22.
https://doi.org/10.17645/pag.v6i1.1188
2 Ross, Michael L. 2008. “Oil, Islam, and Women.” The American Political Science Review 102
(1): 107–23. https://www.jstor.org/stable/27644501.
2
aspects of the measurement should be included in the validity to ensure a higher validity. The
design of an experiment can be measured and all specific tests and procedures included in the
study3. The results of the measurement can be generalized depending on the context which
relates to real-world experiences.
A dependent variable is something that relies on other factors and changes depending
on the prevailing conditions. The ability to change is determined by the prior factor which
leads to the variable4. The variable is compromised as it depends on the other variables of the
research. The other variables are measured to be able to attain a dependent variable in the
study. The manipulation of an experiment of the independent variable leads to an alteration in
the variable. The selection of a dependent variable is based on the notion that the variable
should be dependent. The fact should be free from causing changes in the study. Secondly,
the selected dependent variable should not be constant hence one should avoid selecting it
from observations related to the variable. The dependent variable should vary. Lastly, the
dependent variable should be different from the variation under study. The variable should
not be similar to the intended measure of variables in the research.
My possible dependent variable for my doctoral dissertation is academic motivation
in my field of study. Academic motivation is a dependent variable and it keeps on changing
due to changes in various factors. The variable is also different from my variation in the
research. The possible observable implications for academic motivation include my
competitiveness and participation in class. The two factors will be essential in effecting my
research. The factors are related to academic success.
3 Osterberg-Kaufmann, Norma, Toralf Stark, and Christoph Mohamad-Klotzbach. 2020.
“Challenges in Conceptualizing and Measuring Meanings and Understandings of Democracy.”
14 (4): 299–320. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12286-020-00470-5.
4 King, Gary, Robert O. Keohane, and Sidney Verba. Designing social inquiry: Scientific
inference in qualitative research. Princeton university press, 1994.
3
Bibliography
Fuchs, D., & Roller, E. (2018). Conceptualizing and Measuring the Quality of Democracy:
The Citizens’ Perspective. Politics and Governance, 6(1), 22.
https://doi.org/10.17645/pag.v6i1.1188
King, Gary, Robert O. Keohane, and Sidney Verba. Designing social inquiry: Scientific
inference in qualitative research. Princeton university press, 1994.
Osterberg-Kaufmann, Norma, Toralf Stark, and Christoph Mohamad-Klotzbach. 2020.
“Challenges in Conceptualizing and Measuring Meanings and Understandings of
Democracy.” 14 (4): 299–320. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12286-020-00470-5.
Ross, Michael L. 2008. “Oil, Islam, and Women.” The American Political Science
Review 102 (1): 107–23. https://www.jstor.org/stable/27644501.
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