Operationism is a scientific concept that refers to the use of operational definitions in research and experimentation. Operationism is a form of operationalization, which is a process of defining theoretical concepts in terms of measurable operations. This approach was first proposed in the 1920s by the American psychologist Edward Thorndike and has been used extensively in the sciences ever since.
An operational definition is a precise statement of how a concept is measured or observed. It is typically used to identify variables in a research study and is often an essential part of the scientific method. Through operationalization, researchers are able to measure and analyze variables and draw conclusions based on the data collected. This allows for the development of testable hypotheses and the replication of experiments.
The use of operational definitions can help reduce ambiguity in research studies by providing a clear definition of the concept being studied. It also ensures that studies are replicable and that conclusions can be drawn from the data collected. This makes it easier for scientists to compare and contrast results from different studies and develop a comprehensive understanding of the subject.
Operationism has been applied in a variety of areas, including psychology, sociology, and economics. For example, in psychology, researchers often use operational definitions to measure variables such as intelligence, memory, and personality. In sociology, operational definitions are used to measure variables such as social class and gender. In economics, operational definitions are used to measure variables such as economic growth and inflation.
Despite the widespread use of operationism in the sciences, there are some criticisms of the approach. Some argue that operational definitions can be too rigid and fail to capture the nuances of the concepts being studied. Others argue that operational definitions can be too vague and fail to provide a clear understanding of the variables being studied.
Overall, operationism is an important concept in the sciences that helps researchers measure and analyze variables and draw conclusions from the data collected. It can be used in a variety of fields, including psychology, sociology, and economics. Despite some criticisms of the approach, operationism has been widely adopted in the sciences and is an essential part of the scientific method.
References
Cronbach, L. J., & Meehl, P. E. (1955). Construct Validity in Psychological Tests. Psychological Bulletin, 52(4), 281–302. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0043671
Kline, P. (2015). The Concept of Operationalization. In The Oxford Handbook of Measurement and Science (pp. 31–45). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199791253.013.016
Thorndike, E. L. (1921). Measurement of Intelligence. Journal of Educational Psychology, 12(3), 123–148. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0073886