Which of the following is an example of an operational definition?
A) fear of crime: a series of complex changes in bodily functioning that alerts an individual to potential danger
B) life satisfaction: relatively stable assessment of how well people's lives match their expectations
C) mastery: people's sense of control over their environment
D) social isolation: the breakdown of social relations that provide meaning and social support
E) criminal activity: the number of crimes reported to the police per 1,000 population in the city or town where a respondent resides

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An operational definition is a clear, concise detailed definition of a measure. The purpose of an operational definition is to define a concept or variable in terms of the specific processes or set of validation tests used to determine its presence and quantity. Operational definitions are used to ensure that anyone reading a study can understand exactly how and what researchers measured in their study.
Among the options provided:
a. Fear of crime: This is a conceptual definition describing what fear of crime might feel like or involve, but it does not specify how to measure it operationally.
b. Life satisfaction: This is also a conceptual definition that describes what life satisfaction is in general terms but does not provide a specific way to measure it.
c. Mastery: This option describes what mastery means but does not offer an operational definition that would allow for measurement.
d. Social isolation: This is a description of what social isolation might entail but does not provide a specific operational definition for measurement.
e. Criminal activity: This option provides a specific way to measure criminal activity, namely, "the number of crimes reported to the police per 1,000 population in the city or town where a respondent resides." This is an operational definition because it specifies exactly how criminal activity is to be quantified and measured.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
e. Criminal activity: the number of crimes reported to the police per 1,000 population in the city or town where a respondent resides.

Which of the Following Is an Example of an Operational