Posted: May 7th, 2015

Operationalizing Constructs

Operationalizing Constructs

Case Assignment

The sections of the first three required background readings that we asked you to read for this module focus on the early, conceptual stages of the operationalization process. For example, Churchill (1979) refers to these early stages as “specify domain of the construct” and “generate sample of items” (p. 67), Hinkin (1995) begins with “item generation” (p. 969), and MacKenzie, Podsakoff, and Podsakoff (2011) illustrate the early conceptual stages as “develop a conceptual definition of the construct” and “generate items to represent the construct” (Figure 1, p. 297). Finally, MacKenzie, et al. (2011) provide a set of factors to consider in construct conceptualization (Table 1, p. 299). In this Case Assignment, you will apply those factors to:
•Evaluate the nature and quality of the processes used to develop conceptual definitions and measurable items in the two example articles that you read (i.e., Detert & Edmondson, 2011, Haber, et al., 2010, or Ja-Shen, C., et al., 2009).

Assignment Expectations
1.Explain and support each of your points in your analysis.
2.Draw upon and cite key points from the first three articles to support your analysis.
3.Your analysis of each article should be approximately two double spaced pages.
4.Following your two analyses, include a 1- to 2-page discussion in which you compare and contrast the processes used to develop conceptual definitions and measurable items in both articles. Is one better than the other? If so, why?
5.Add a brief introduction in which you provide an overview of the entire paper.

General Expectations
1.Length: 4–5 pages of double-spaced 12-point text, plus cover and reference pages.
2.Structure: Narrative style, including a brief introduction in which you provide an overview of your paper.
3.References: Follow Campion’s (1997) rules for references (see background page).
4.Style: APA format.
5.Proofread your paper before uploading it.
6.Upload your paper by the module due date.