operalization
Operalization, commonly spelled operationalization, is the process of defining how to observe or measure abstract concepts so they can be studied empirically. It involves translating theoretical constructs into measurable variables by specifying concrete operations or indicators that can be observed or recorded.
Historically, the idea stems from the concept of an operational definition introduced by Percy Bridgman in
The typical process includes identifying a concept (for example, intelligence, socioeconomic status, or social support), selecting
Examples: intelligence is operationalized through standardized intelligence tests; happiness or life satisfaction through self-report scales; civic
Operationalization interacts with measurement theory. It relies on construct validity, measurement invariance across groups, and attention