STAGES OF SOCIAL RESEARCH

Formulation of the Research Problem

Research Design

Measurement1. Select variables of interest2. Identify types and levels of

measurement

3. Questionnaire/abstract form design

Sampling

Data Collection

Data Analysis/Interpretation

Disseminate Results

VARIABLE MEASUREMENT

Define or conceptualize Formulating and clarifying a concept•How does previous literature or theory conceptualize/define your variables of interest?•How many dimensions are there in a particular variable? Describe those dimensions.

Operationalize Specifies a value or category by the specific questions asked together with the response categories to which cases are assigned.

ConceptVariables

Type of measurement

Level of measurement

Operation

1.Seek health care for women’s issues2.Delayed health care (yes/no)3.Reasons for delaying health care

 CategoricalDichotomous Categorical

NominalNominalNominal

Asked in self-administered questionnaire

Reproductive health1.# times pregnant2.# children3.past contraceptive use

 ContinuousContinuousDichotomous (categorical)

 RatioRatioNominal

Asked in self-administered questionnaire

Demographics1.Age (in years)2.Education level3.Health status

 ContinuousCategoricalCategorical

 RatioOrdinalOrdinal

 Asked in self-administered questionnaire

TYPES AND LEVELS OF MEASUREMENT

Two types of measurement: categorical or continuous

Four levels of measurement:

1) Nominal: Gender

Are you:

1 = Male

2 = Female

2) Ordinal: likert scale of attitudinal variable

To what extent do you agree or disagree that sex education should be implemented in high schools in NC?

3) Interval: temperature

How hot is it outside? ______ degrees F

4) Ratio: Age (in years).

How old are you? _____ years OR

How old are you (in years)?

1 = 18-25

2 = > 25

Strongly Disagree Disagree Agree Strongly Agree

1 2 3 4