Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches

QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE MEASUREMENT

(see Figure 2) and gives deductive measurement
(see Figure 3 for inductive measurement). We may
create conceptual definitions out of rudimentary
“working ideas” while we are making observa-
tions or gathering data. Instead of turning refined
conceptual definitions into measurement opera-
tions, we operationalize by describing how specific
observations and thoughts about the data contribute
to working ideas that are the basis of conceptual
definitions.
Thus, qualitative research operationalization
largely involves developing a description of how we
use working ideas while making observations.
Oerationalization describes how we gathered
specific observations or data and we struggled to
understand the data as the data evolved into abstract
constructs. In this way, qualitative operationaliza-
tion is more an after-the-fact description than a
preplanned technique.

THEORETICAL
LEVEL

OPERATIONAL
LEVEL

EMPIRICAL
LEVEL

Theorize the Causal Relationship

+

Conceptualize the Variables

Operationalize the Variables

?

Test the Empirical Hypothesis

Professional Work Environment

A job requires high levels of skill and

creative knowledge. Workers have great

autonomy and are respected. They

control the design, pace, and content

of their work with little direct supervision.

Independent peer associations uphold

standards and discipline members.

Records show that a high skill and

knowledge level is required. Officials state

respect for teachers and impose few

mandates about work content or daily

schedules. All employees state that school

officials seek and follow suggestions made

by teachers. An independent professional

association, not local school officials,

sets standards and disciplines teachers.

Level of Teacher Morale

Most teachers at a school have very

positive, optimistic feelings about

students, parents, other teachers, the

teacher’s own work, and administrators

that persist for over a period of time.

Records show teachers regularly put in

extra time/effort without extra pay.

Employees report of hearing teachers make

many positive statements about the students,

other teachers, and the school. Survey

responses show very few complaints and

a positive attitude toward the work

environment. Records show that few

teachers quit or leave the school for other

jobs.

FIGURE 2 Example of the Deductive Measurement Process for the Hypothesis: A Professional
Work Environment Increases the Level of Teacher Morale

Just as quantitative operationalization deviates

from a rigid deductive process, qualitative re-

searchers may draw on ideas from beyond the data

of a specific research setting. Qualitative opera-

tionalization includes using preexisting techniques

and concepts that we blend with those that emerged

during the data collection process.

Fantasia’s (1988) field research on contested

labor actions illustrates qualitative operationaliza-

tion. Fantasia used cultures of solidarityas a cen-

tral construct. He related this construct to ideas of

conflict-filled workplace relations and growing

class consciousness among nonmanagerial work-

ers. He defined a culture of solidarity as a type of

cultural expression created by workers that evolves

in particular places over time. The workers over

time develop shared feelings and a sense of unity

that is in opposition to management and business

owners. It is an interactive process. Slowly over