Assignment 1: CONCEPTUALIZING AND OPERATIONALIZING VARIABLES

Assignment 1: CONCEPTUALIZING AND OPERATIONALIZING VARIABLES (25 points)

Due 11:55pm EST on Sunday of Week 3

PURPOSE: The purpose of this exercise is to conceptualize and operationalize variables, and understand how conceptual and operational definitions impact the conclusions drawn about variables.

WRITING REQUIREMENTS: The essay should be  7-9  pages. APA formatting should be used throughout (cover page, running header, major heading, subheadings, in-text citations, and reference list). Any time you paraphrase or directly quote a source, in-text citations should be used.  A full APA-formatted reference should be included at the end of the assignment. Academically, no more that 20% of the essay should be quoted. At least 80% should be in your own words.

The essay should include the following subheadings:

• Definitions
• Conceptualizes race
• Operationalizes race
• Census Bureau changes
• How changes to variables affect conclusions
• Reflection

INSTRUCTIONS:  Make sure to follow the directions in order.

1. First, provide a definition of the terms: "conceptual definition" and "operational definition".
2. Next, conceptualize and operationalize the variable “race.”
3. Read the Census Bureau’s report on race at: https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2011/dec/c2010br-02.pdf.
4. Answer the following questions after reading the report:
   1. What changes did the Bureau make to the conceptualization and operationalization of race in the 2010 census?
   2. Why did the Bureau make these changes?
   3. Could the difference in operationalization produce different conclusions about race?
   4. Does the Bureau’s conceptualization and operationalization of race coincide with yours?  If so, how?  If not, what is different?

Need writing help? Here are excellent resources for students:

1.    Writing@APUS

APUS writing guidance link:  http://www.apus.edu/Online-Library/resources-services/student-academic-resource-center/writing-center.html

2.    Purdue Online Writing Lab: Everything you wanted to know about APA, but didn’t have time to ask!

 Purdue Online Writing Lab link: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/1/

Grading Rubric

View the grading rubric so you understand how you will be assessed on this Assignment.  Click the grid icon at the top of this instruction page, or the grid icon under "View iRubric" on the main Assignments page.

Note: “This course has “Resubmission” status enabled if you need to submit multiple documents as part of your Assignment.  Resubmission of an Assignment after it is graded, to attempt a better grade, is not permitted."

Submission