Operational and Conceptual Definitions

                                            Conceptual and Operational Definitions

       By Jessica Scott Dunda

  Nova Southeastern University

            February 14, 2011

Research Question

 Will student self efficacy increase directly after involvement in classroom humanitarian projects?

Two Variables: 

1.   Structured humanitarian projects.

2.      Student’s existing self efficacy.

Independent Variable: Structured humanitarian projects

Dependent Variable: Self efficacy

Conceptual Definition : Independent Variable: Structured advocacy projects

 “Step by step projects designed to engage students in a humanitarian project(s) where the intent to help others is explicitly taught.”

Conceptual Definition: Dependent Variable :  Self efficacy

  “How effective one feels about their abilities in a particular area.”

Operational definition of Independent Variable structured humanitarian projects

I will have to create a rating scale for this.

Operational Definition of Dependent Variable Self Efficacy

 Motivated Strategies for Learning Scale (MSLS) a Rasch measurement rating scale is to be used to measure motivational attitude toward participant’s pre and post humanitarian project.  Students will participate in a humanitarian project and then will be given the MSLS test. We will find pre and post humanitarian project difference if any.  Control group takes pre and post  (1991) by Pintrich, Paul R.; Smith, David A. F.; Garcia, Teresa; McKeachie, Wilbert J.  Accessed on Database: Mental Measurements Yearbook with Tests in Print. 

 Reference

Pintrich, Paul R.; Smith, David A. F.; Garcia, Teresa; McKeachie, Wilbert J. (1991).

     Motivated strategies for learning scale (MSLS) Mental Measurements Yearbook with  

     Tests in Print accessed online ERIC February 10, 2011.