Explanation of Operationalizing Variables

Two Studies for the Selected Variable "Leadership"
Chukwaba (2015) studied the role of transformational leadership on job satisfaction on hotel employees. Transformational leadership and job satisfaction were calculated using means and standards deviations in SPSS version 22. Transformational leadership was treated as an independent variable, measured using Bass Avolio's Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ). The dependent variable was job satisfaction measured by a validated job-satisfaction scale. The variables have been assessed in this paper accurately since detailed statements have been given for the data's reliability and validity. The MLQ design has been chosen for only this purpose. The independent variable on the dependent one for a large sample, just as that of hotel employees, could be evaluated accurately.
Moreover, the descriptive analysis showed a clear relationship between the two variables of interest. The study's hypothesis was to observe the effect of transformation leadership on job satisfaction, which was evident in the SPSS's significant results that indicate the two variables were directly related. Hence, the operationalization is good.
Another study chosen for this purpose was conducted by Khan & Bukhari (2016) to investigate leadership traits' effect on organizational performance with relevance to the healthcare industry. The independent variable was leadership, and the dependent variable was performance. MLQ was used to gather data from questionnaires, and OLS, which is linear regression analysis, was used along with correlations for testing the hypothesis. Performance with transformational leadership was measured as a compound of effectiveness, extra effort, and satisfaction. In contrast, performance under transactional leadership was measured in terms of effort, productivity, loyalty, or commitment. The results proved that transformational leadership had a positive effect on performance. The variable's operationalization was good as the correlation, and regression analysis depicted the results whether the relation was present as a direct one or whether it was a weak one. Transformational leadership's effects were positive but weak; however, transactional leadership had a significantly positive effect. The healthcare professionals are already experienced; hence, motivation and rewards were not significantly evident in the results. Hence, the operationalization was good.
Two Studies for the Selected Variable "Motivation"
Pandey, Goel & Koushal (2018) conducted a study to assess the effect of different factors on nurses' motivation levels. Both quantitative and qualitative methods had been utilized for this research. Three tertiary-level hospitals in India were selected, and nurse samples were selected from these hospitals for the quantitative part. A self-administered Likert scale was used for quantitative assessment, which was developed from the questionnaire. The questionnaire asked about the motivational outcomes where motivation was treated as a dependent variable. A score of "Above 3" was considered motivated, and below 3 was considered not-motivated. Motivational attributes, treated as independent variables, were divided into intrinsic and extrinsic motivators, including timeliness, personal issues, organizational commitment, intrinsic job satisfaction, self-efficacy, etc. The evaluation was done based on Microsoft Excel 2007 and SPSS. Mean score, ANOVA; t-tests were used for explaining relations between the eight variables of motivation. Also, regression and p-value were used. The results showed that the mean score for external motivation was greater than internal motivation, whereas timeliness and personal issues were major demotivators for the nurses. Even the motivation levels in different units, such as OT and administrative units, were different in terms of external and internal motivation. Hence, the operationalization was good as the regression, correlation, and other related tests showed significant variations in the selected variables based on motivation's independent attributes.
Another study was conducted by Breed, Downing & Ally (2020) to determine the factors that impact nurse leaders' motivation levels in South Africa. The motivation was treated as a dependent variable that was affected by intrinsic or extrinsic factors. A questionnaire was designed, and a Likert scale was used from "strongly disagree" to "strongly agree" spectrum. IBM SPSS 22.0 was used for the analysis of data in the form of inferential and descriptive statistics. The results showed that nurse leaders were motivated by intrinsic factors such as support, relatedness, proficiency, and independence. The descriptive analysis revealed that these factors were highly evident when it comes to motivation in nurse leaders. Mean values showed that nurse leaders felt like a part of the team since relatedness was high, and the same results were shown for others. The hypothesis was satisfactorily answered since factors that motivated the nurses were identified; hence, the variables were well-operationalized.
Two Studies for the Selected Variable "Performance"
A study was conducted by Wenglinsky (2001) to assess the effect of classroom practices of the teachers on the students' performance. The students' performance was treated as a dependent variable, while a classroom strategy was treated as an independent one. The classroom practices were also related to the teacher's education level and background on the student's performanc3. The dependent variable was an achievement, whereas the independent variables were five: SES, class size, and three inputs from the teacher. National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) was used to assess the results that involve a set of classroom practices, student test scores, and characteristics of both students and teachers. The statistical technique multi-level structural equation modeling (MSEM) was utilized for quantification of results. Three MSEMs were developed to evaluate results, and all of them showed similar results on student performance. Path covariance for SES and student performance was significant, and correlation efficiency depicted that the teacher's background was not related to student performance. Hence, the operationalization of variables was good since they revealed the results of the hypothesis.
Cavilla (2017) conducted a study in which student reflection effects were investigated on academic performance and motivation. Student reflection was treated as an independent variable, whereas performance and motivations were treated as dependent ones. Quantitative data collection was done to compare the completed assignment of the year 2012 with relevance to the 2013 ones. Microsoft Excel had been utiilized for data analysis, and mean, standard deviation, Pearson correlation was also used for this very purpose. Correlation between missing assignments and grades was moderate and strong, and the null hypothesis was negated, which was there would be no relation between the two. Also, the overall groups' correlation was in support of the statistical results and following the hypothesis made. Hence, the operationalization of the variables was done well.
Two Studies for the Selected Variable "Anxiety"
A study was conducted by Tsaras et al. (2018) to study the occurrence of depression and anxiety associated factors among the mental health of nurses to classify independent predictors of mental health disorders risk. Nurse characteristics were treated as independent variables, whereas dependent variables were depression and anxiety. Patient Health Questionnaire 2 (PHQ 2) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD 2) were used to collect this quantitative study. Four-point scales for both studies were developed for measuring responses from the respondents on the selected variables. IBM SPSS for Windows was used for computations of data. Means and standard deviations were used for calculating independent variables, and correlations were used for dependent ones. The mean total score of PHQ 2 and GAD2 was 2.57 and 2.66, a clear depictor of a high risk of mental health nurses for depression and anxiety. Hence, the variables were well-operationalized since they exhibited results for the hypotheses set for testing.
A study was conducted by Zarate (2012) to analyze the effect of 12-week music therapy on anxiety. Music psychotherapy was treated as an independent variable, whereas anxiety was treated as the dependent variable. The multiple subject design was used for the study. Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) was used with a four-point Likert scale on a spectrum of "not at all" to "severely bothered" for 21 items of anxiety-like nervousness, incapable of relaxing, etc. BAI scales were categorized into four classes: 0-7 minimal, 8-15 mild, 16-25 moderate, and 26-63 severe. The pattern was seen changing steadily over the 12 weeks with improvement in scores of the BAI scales with music therapy intervention. Increased minimal scores with decreased anxiety showed that the variables' operationalization was done effectively as the hypothesis was tested with significant effects on the selected variables.
References
Breed, M., Downing, C. & Ally, H. (2020). Factors influencing motivation of nurse leaders in a private hospital group in Gauteng, South Africa: A quantitative study. Curationis, 43(1), e1-e9. DOI: 10.4102/curationis.v43i1.2011
Cavilla, D. (2017). The effects of student reflection on academic performance and motivation. Sage Open, 7(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244017733790
Chukwaba, K.U. (2015). A quantitative model studying the effects of transformational leadership on job satisfaction (Master's dissertation). Walden University. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2944&context=dissertations
Khan, R. & Bukhari, A. (2016). Effects of leadership style on healthcare organizational performance: A survey of selected tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. International Journal of Economics and Management Sciences, 5(3), 1-7. DOI: 10.4172/2162-6359.1000333
Pandey, R., Goel, S. & Koushal, V. (2018). Assessment of motivation levels and associated factors among the nursing staff of tertiary-level government hospitals. International Journal of Health Planning and Management, 2018, 1-12. DOI: 10.1002/hpm.2526
Tsaras, K., Papathanasiou, I.V., Vus, V., Panagiotopoulou, A., Katsou, M.A., Kelesi, M. & Fradelos, E.C. (2018). Predicting factors of depression and anxiety in mental health nurses: A quantitative cross-sectional study. Medical Archives (Sarajevo, Bosnia, and Herzegovina). 72(1), 62-67. DOI: 10.5455/medarh.2017.72.62-67
Wenglinsky, H. (2001). Teacher classroom practices and student performance: How schools can make a difference (Report No. RR-01-19). Educational Testing Service. https://www.ets.org/Media/Research/pdf/RR-01-19-Wenglinsky.pdf
Zarate, R. (2012). The sounds of anxiety: A quantitative study of music therapy and anxiety (Master's dissertation). Lesley University. https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1060&context=expressive_dissertations