Question

If a researcher operationally defines "cooperation" as the number of times an individual asks for directions to be repeated, his research could be criticized as lacking _________________-

Answer 1

A researcher's definition of "cooperation" as the frequency of asking for repeated directions might lack validity because it does not encompass the broader concept of cooperative behavior. Valid operational definitions are critical for ensuring that the research measures what it intends to and can produce reliable and valid results.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a researcher operationally defines "cooperation" as the number of times an individual asks for directions to be repeated, his research could be criticized as lacking validity. Validity refers to how well the study measures what it was designed to measure. An operational definition of cooperation that focuses solely on the frequency of requests for repeated directions is likely too narrow and not entirely representative of the broader concept of cooperation. Such a definition might not capture the essence of cooperation, which could include behaviors like working well in a team, sharing resources, or following joint plans, among others. To produce reliable and valid results, researchers should develop an operational definition that identifies an observable condition of the concept that is congruent with the attribute or phenomenon they intend to study.

An operational definition should be carefully crafted to ensure that it aligns with the objectives of the research and the concept under investigation. In contrast, the proposed operational definition may be more indicative of comprehension or attentiveness rather than cooperation. This discrepancy could lead to criticisms in terms of both operationalization and the potential for empirical evidence to support the findings.

Answer 2

If a researcher operationally defines "cooperation" as the number of times an individual asks for directions to be repeated, his research could be criticized as lacking construct validity.

Explanation:

• It is merely because the study has not been based upon the right elucidation of the terms, it can be said to be lacking construct validity.
• In the given example, the idea of 'cooperation' has been wrongly interpreted and associated with an action that does not convey its actual meaning. Had the research been constructed properly, the associated meaning would have been correct and the research would have been valid.