Use Of Operational Definitions Research Articles

The humanities as conceptual practices: The formation and development of high‐impact concepts in philosophy and beyond

This paper proposes an analysis of the discursive dynamics of high‐impact concepts in the humanities. These are concepts whose formation and development have a lasting and wide‐ranging effect on research and our understanding of discursive reality in general. The notion of a conceptual practice, based on a normative conception of practice, is introduced, and practices are identified, on this perspective, according to the way their respective performances are held mutually accountable. This normative conception of practices is then combined with recent work from philosophy of science that characterizes concepts in terms of conceptual capacities that are productive, open‐ended, and applicable beyond the original context they were developed in. It is shown that the formation of concepts can be identified by changes in how practitioners hold exercise of their conceptual capacities accountable when producing knowledge about a phenomenon. In a manner similar to the use of operational definitions in scientific practices, such concepts can also be used to intervene in various discourses within or outside the conceptual practice. Using the formation of the concepts “mechanism” and “performative” as examples, the paper shows how high‐impact concepts reconfigure what is at issue and at stake in conceptual practices. As philosophy and other humanities disciplines are its domain of interest, it is a contribution to the methodology of the humanities.

Sedentary behavior among university students: a systematic review

Abstract Estudos sobre o tema do comportamento sedentario (SB) em universitarios tem sido publicados, diante disso o conhecimento sobre os metodos adotados torna-se importante para a ciencia, e a caracterizacao das prevalencias e fatores associados a esse atributo sao essenciais no âmbito das politicas de saude para esse grupo. Assim, o objetivo do presente estudo foi descrever as prevalencias e os fatores associados, e as caracteristicas metodologicas empregadas nas pesquisas sobre o SB em universitarios. Uma busca nas bases de dados National Library of Medicine (PUBMED), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Biblioteca Virtual em Saude (BVS) e SCOPUS foi realizada. Este estudo adotou os itens e recomendacoes do Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), e os artigos selecionados foram analisados conforme as caracteristicas metodologicas, alem das prevalencias e os fatores associados ao SB. Dos 1.740 artigos encontrados nas bases de dados, 23 fizeram parte dessa revisao. Foram observadas prevalencias para o tempo sentado de 34,0% a 90,2%. O uso de definicoes operacionais e pontos de corte foram diversificados, alem do uso de variados instrumentos para estimar o SB. Foi observada a falta de padronizacao entre os pontos de corte para determinacao do SB e das definicoes operacionais, como uso de instrumentos nao validados. Dentre os fatores associados com maiores prevalencias, destacaram-se o excesso de peso e os sintomas depressivos. Conclui-se que as prevalencias de SB foram elevadas em dominios nao relacionados ao tempo dedicado aos estudos e caracteristicas biologicas e psicologicas representaram atributos mais associados ao SB.

There is more than one way – a study of mixed analytical methods in biographical narrative research

ABSTRACTThe number of studies using biographical narrative data has increased worldwide. Given the variety of analytical approaches in narrative research, a critical investigation of the relationship between the methodological procedures and the implications for research practice is needed. This article reports on a mixed analysis study applying three analytical methods to autobiographical narrative interview data: (1) formal structural analysis, (2) narrative ethnography and (3) qualitative comparative analysis. Comparing these three models exposes key methodological challenges, such as the use of operational definitions and interpretative practice. The article discusses the role of analytical perspectives for biographical research method design and application as a part of mono-methods and mixed-methods studies.

Clinical validation of the nursing outcome falls prevention behavior in people with stroke

PurposeTo review the nursing outcome, Fall Prevention Behavior, and clinically validate its indicators in people with stroke. MethodsA methodological study performed with 106 patients in two outpatient clinics, from July to September of 2013. Two pairs of trained nurses applied the NOC scale, one with and one without the use of operational definitions. The internal consistency, stability and difference between the medians obtained by nurses were compared within and between pairs. ResultsMost participants were men, elderly, with low education and income. Statistically significant differences were noted in twelve indicators. Five indicators had different means that were greater than the least significant difference. ConclusionsThe indicators were statistically significant; the internal consistency was similar between the pairs and the intraclass correlation coefficient was more satisfactory in the pair that used the definitions. Thus, the construction of empirical referents and the clinical validation process makes the nursing indicators and outcomes more adequate for specific populations and provides an effective means to better evaluate the nursing actions.

Community Pharmacist Services for People With Mental Illnesses: Preferences, Satisfaction, and Stigma

Community Pharmacist Services for People With Mental Illnesses: Preferences, Satisfaction, and Stigma

Characterization of the intrinsic density profiles for liquid surfaces

This paper presents recent advances in the characterization of the intrinsic structures incomputer simulations of liquid surfaces. The use of operational definitions for the intrinsicsurface, associated with each molecular configuration of a liquid slab, gives direct access tothe intrinsic profile and to the wavevector dependent surface tension. However, thecharacteristics of these functions depend on the definition used for the intrinsicsurface. We discuss the pathologies associated with a local Gibbs dividing surfacedefinition, and consider the alternative definition of a minimal area surface, goingthough a set of surface pivots, self-consistently chosen to represent the first liquidlayer.

An integrative review of the concept of spirituality in the health sciences.

Spirituality is a universal human phenomenon, yet confusion and incomprehension of the concept is ever-present. The purpose of this study was to explore how research on the concept of spirituality has been reported in the health literature in the past decade and develop an ontological and theoretical understanding of spirituality. The examination was based on quantitative and qualitative integrative review approaches, which integrated empirical research on spirituality. The sample included 73 spirituality research articles, which were published in English between January 1990 and September 2000. An electronic data-collection tool was designed for use in this project and formatted using Excel software for transfer of coded data into the NVivo software for the data analysis. The results identified essential elements of spirituality, current use of operational definitions and instruments, conceptual frameworks used in spirituality research, and cultural aspects of spirituality. Historical comparison among decades and barriers in researching spirituality are discussed.

The Pragmatics of Operationism

Experimental psychologists in the 1930s erred badly in interpreting Bridgman (1927/1960) to mean that a theoretical construct was scientifically valid given a single set of operations. This mistake was corrected in the 1950s with the adoption of a multiple or convergent operationism, which stimulated the development of cognitive psychology and remains widely used to this day. The major criticisms made by Bickhard, Green, Leahey and Rogers (all 2001) attempt to rebut my (Grace, 2001) supposed claim that converging operationism solved the philosophical difficulties inherent in operationism as a thoroughgoing account of scientific meaning. But I made no such claim. Instead, I argue that it is legitimate to assess operationism pragmatically, in a research context. On this view, reasons for the tenacity of operationism in psychology are clear: the use of operational definitions facilitates clarity of communication and helps scientists to formulate empirical tests of theories.

Faculty Forum

Students in a research methods course watched episodes of Star Trek (Coon & Roddenberry, 1967)and Star Trek: The Next Generation (Roddenberry, 1990) as an exercise to empirically test the validity of personality impressions, demonstrating the use of operational definitions, interobserver reliability, and behavioral observation. The students first viewed episodes to identify contrasting personality characteristics between 2 Star Trek captains, then operationally defined these in terms of relevant, observable behaviors. To test the hypothesized personality contrasts, students observed the characters in different episodes, recording observations according to the operational definitions.

Reducing bias in observational research on alcohol withdrawal syndrome

Observational methods are often used to study alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Observational cohorts and case‐control studies are useful in research on prognosis and in situations where ethical concerns might prevent the use of clinical trial designs. In addition, case‐control studies are appropriate for studying the rare but serious complications of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Despite their appeal and suitability, these methods are subject to a number of biases that can render their results suspect. Susceptibility, diagnostic suspicion, and exposure suspicion bias are among the important biases to consider in observational studies on alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Strategies for reducing these biases include the creation of inception cohorts, the use of operational definitions, and blinding. Increased attention to these strategies should help clinicians and researchers improve the practice of caring for patients with alcohol withdrawal syndrome.

Research on the Clinical Interview

Critical examination of data generated by the clinical interview has been kindled by dissatisfaction with unsturctured interviews used for assigning diagnoses. Identification of sources of variance, the use of operational definitions, and the application of measures of reliability and validity to interview research have enhanced the capacity of the clinician to locate deficiencies in the diagnostic interview. Fairly good agreement for diagnosis of psychiatric disorders of adults has been achieved, but remaining variability invites further scrutiny of the effects of categorical versus dimensional approaches, the use of best estimate diagnoses in validity research, and other factors. Practical questions arising for clinicians concern what training in techniques for specific structured interviews is required, whether routine use of standardized instruments is practical, and how structured interviews are related to other clinical measures, such as behavior checklists. Critical examination of data generated by the clinical interview has been kindled by dissatisfaction with unsturctured interviews used for assigning diagnoses. Identification of sources of variance, the use of operational definitions, and the application of measures of reliability and validity to interview research have enhanced the capacity of the clinician to locate deficiencies in the diagnostic interview. Fairly good agreement for diagnosis of psychiatric disorders of adults has been achieved, but remaining variability invites further scrutiny of the effects of categorical versus dimensional approaches, the use of best estimate diagnoses in validity research, and other factors. Practical questions arising for clinicians concern what training in techniques for specific structured interviews is required, whether routine use of standardized instruments is practical, and how structured interviews are related to other clinical measures, such as behavior checklists.

Operational Definitions in Educational Research

The use of operational definitions is necessary to educational research of the “normal” kind, but can easily lead to philosophical naiveté and the misleading reporting of results. Robert Ennis's recommendations on the logical form of operational definitions are supported, as a means of avoiding constricting research dogmas, but a case is also made for reminding research trainees of the richness of many educational concepts borrowed from ordinary usage, and of what Polanyi calls the fruitfulness of concepts that are not completely specifiable.

What does operator do in complex systems.

An effort was made to locate representative data on human activities in complex operational systems. Very little operational data were found which were suitable for our purposes. Therefore, this requirement was compromised and activity data from tests and paper and pencil analyses were used. These data were then classified by two raters according to an adopted taxonomy. It was generally concluded that where activity data have been gathered under operational conditions, they have been useful to design engineers, human factors specialists and systems analysts. It is further noted, however, that additional effort must be devoted to the development of better methods for obtaining data and corresponding criteria of human performance under operational conditions. A discussion of the taxonomy and other techniques indicated that collection of activity data should be feasible under operational conditions. In addition it is suggested that increased standardization and use of operational definition in the development of these techniques might result in improvement of their general applicability.

The use of operational definitions in science.

The use of operational definitions in science.