Malcolm works for a major pharmaceutical company and is in charge of designing a clinical protocol to study depression. The new medication under investigation has the potential to alleviate the symptoms of depression. Malcolm needs to describe how depression as well as how the improvement of depressive symptoms will be defined in the study in order to recruit the right subjects. In other words, Malcolm needs to provide a(n)
A) hypothesis.
B) theory.
C) operational definition.
D) functional definition.
E) investigative definition.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Malcolm needs to provide an operational definition to ensure that the study's criteria for inclusion and exclusion of subjects are clear and consistent. This definition will describe how depression and improvement of depressive symptoms will be measured and identified within the study. A hypothesis is a statement that proposes a relationship between variables, while a theory is a well-established explanation for a phenomenon. A functional definition and investigative definition are not relevant to the design of this study.

Malcolm Works for a Major Pharmaceutical Company and Is in Charge