Question

Identify a scientific article where the researchers have implemented an operational definition of ‘anxiety’. Do you think that they did a good job? What would you change in their operational definition?

Answer 1

Operational Definition: Operational definition is a detailed specifications , where one would go about measuring a given variables. It can be simple or complex and straight forward. depending upon the nature of the variable. the best way to illustrate the process of developing operational definitions is to identify several theoretical constructs and develop operational definitions of each.

Anxiety: anxiety is a concept where everyone are familiar, and an unpleasant feeling that occurs in certain situations. When a person just mentioned something that probably resonated with many of you. generally when we are anxious our heart starts pounding, we almost feel the sensation. Anxiety is not just a feeling, it is also a physiological response. when we are anxious, we hearts starts to beat fast and strong, our body starts to shake, our palms get sweat, which are visible to others, We can measure the physiological changes when their heart rate increases which is an indication of anxiety. for example if a person sees the snake, he will run away or atleast step back from the object of their fear, it is a sign of anxiousness.

Operational defining anxiety includes asking people how anxious they are feeling, measuring their physiological response and observing their behaviour.