Building the Conceptual Framework and Operational Definition of Study Variables PDF

Developing the Conceptual Framework and Operational Definition of Study Variables Edric D. Estrella, PD-SML, PhD, MPH, RPh Research Methods in Public Health Department of Public Health KFU College of Applied Medical Sciences Steps in Conducting Research 1. Identif...

Developing the Conceptual Framework and Operational Definition of Study Variables Edric D. Estrella, PD-SML, PhD, MPH, RPh Research Methods in Public Health Department of Public Health KFU College of Applied Medical Sciences Steps in Conducting Research 1. Identification and definition of Research Problem A. Selecting a research topic 1. Relevance and Applicability 2. Urgency 3. Feasibility 4. Ethical and Political acceptability 5. Avoidance of duplication B. Formulating research objectives stirring wheel of the research Steps in Conducting Research 2. Review of related literature should not be a laundry list of the available literature related to the research theme 3. Revisit the research objectives and redefine the actual problem for investigation in clearer and more specific terms Scope and delimitation Example To determine the impact of continuing education for health workers To determine the effect of continuing education activities conducted by the MOH for its staff on their performance To determine the effect of workshops/seminars conducted by the MOH for its staff on their ability to manage the different programs of the MOH in the field To determine the effect of the Trainers’ Training Course conducted by the MOH on the capabilities of the participants to plan, implement, monitor and evaluate training programs they conduct in the field Steps in Conducting Research 4. Formulate testable hypothesis (if applicable) and define basic concepts and variables Conceptual framework – diagram presenting the interrelationships of the study variables Operational definition of variables - exact manner in which a study variable is measured proxy variables constructs Conceptual Framework blueprint of the research study that maps out the interrelatedness of the different study variables visualizing how the study variables act and interact with each other Conceptual Framework diagrammatic representation of what is known about a particular research question Guided by the research objectives, the researcher should first conduct the review of available literature related to the research problem. information on the different study variables and their corresponding associations findings of studies done in the past Conceptual Framework for Descriptive/ Exploratory Studies Conceptual framework showing factors related to preparedness in diagnosing and management. (Source: Preparedness of Primary Health Physicians in Diagnosing and Managing E-cigarette or Vaping Product-Use Associated Lung Injury (EVALI) in Al-Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by Edric Estrella) Conceptual Framework for Descriptive/ Exploratory Studies Factors that contribute to the Disease prevalence magnitude of the disease Conceptual Framework for Descriptive/ Exploratory Studies Conceptual framework organizing the factors affecting breastfeeding. (Source: Abraham, J. and Raju, R. Developing a Conceptual Framework for Factors Affecting Breastfeeding. Textila International Journal of Public Health. December 2019 DOI: 10.21522/TIJPH.2013.SE.19.02.Art008) Conceptual Framework for Analytical/ Etiological Studies Confounder Dependent Independent variable variable (factor) (outcome) Conceptual Framework for Analytical/ Etiological Studies previous blood donation experience awareness on willingness to voluntary blood blood donation donation Source: Willingness to Blood Donation among BS Public Health Students of King Faisal University by Edric Estrella Conceptual Framework for Analytical/ Etiological Studies Pet ownership Rat infestation Leptospirosis  Conceptual Framework for Analytical/ Etiological Studies Conceptual framework of the association between women’s household decision-making autonomy and modern contraceptive use. (Source: Dotingco, Jeffrey (2018). The Association Between Household Decision-making Autonomy and Modern Contraceptive Use Among Currently Married Women in the Philippines (Unpublished Mater’s Thesis). University of the Philippines, Manila, Philippines.) Conceptual Framework for Laboratory-based Studies Conceptual framework showing the relationship of a treatment and outcome with the presence of moderators. Source: Hypoglycemic Potential of Cucumis sativus L. Fruit Extract by Edric Estrella  Conceptual Framework for Evaluation Studies INPUT ACTIVITIES OUTPUT OUTCOME IMPACT Number of IEC Number of nutrition Number of mothers Change in the Change in the materials on child education classes on trained on proper mothers'knowledge, prevalence of feeding printed child feeding child feeding attitudes and malnutrition among Number of trained conducted for practices on child preschoolers health workers mothers feeding assigned to conduct nutrition education classes for mothers Conceptual framework for a research on the nutrition education of mothers of preschoolers (Source: Mendoza, O. (2019). Module 3: Establishing the Theoretical and Empirical Basis of the Research. PCHRD: Manila) Defining study variables An integral step in writing your research proposal is to operationally define the variables Contextual definition versus operational definition Contextual definition – dictionary definition Operational definition – how variable is measured in the study Operational Definition ✓specifies the activities of the researcher in measuring and/or manipulating a variable (Kerlinger, 1986) ✓Operational definition must specify 1) the tool used to measure the variable 2) the categories of the variable (if applicable) ✓All variables (exposure, outcome, confounders) must be operationally defined Reasons for operationally defining variables To ensure that the variables are measured consistently or manipulated in the same way during the course of the study. To help us communicate our ideas to others Example: Anxiety could be defined in various ways: o The number of nervous actions displayed in a one-hour time period o A person’s score on a GSR (galvanic skin response) machine o A person’s heart rate o A person’s score on the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale Reasons for operationally defining variables Can help other researchers: Replicate the study if desired Have a better understanding of the study and whether or not it may have problems Examples Leptospirosis infection – will be measured using the Leptospira IgG ELISA system which tests for antibodies based on the optical density (OD) readings as follows: Positive – if the OD reading is ≥0.50 Negative – if the OD reading is = 63 pts Moderate stress – if cumulative score is between 42 to 62 pts Low stress – if cumulative score is between 17 to 39 pts Which of the following is an operational definition of depression? 1. Depression is defined as that low feeling you get sometimes. 2. Depression is defined as what happens when a relationship ends. 3. Depression is defined as your score on a 50-item depression inventory 4. Depression is defined as the number of boxes of tissues that you cry your way through.