Operationalizing Concepts
The study of religion often uses abstract concepts that can’t be measured, such as “belief in God” or “religiosity,” to discuss how individuals relate to their faith traditions. However, these phrases may mean different things to different people. When designing or using surveys, social science researchers must use concrete and quantifiable definitions. This learning module illustrates the process of operationalizing concepts using variables within the General Social Survey, 2021.
The ARDA Lesson Plans integrate content from the ARDA and other sources into teachable units. The lessons are designed for courses in a wide range of disciplines, including history, political science, psychology, religious studies, and sociology. This assignment was created for the Association of Religion Data Archives.
