Health Services Research
The conceptualization stage in health services research is defined as the process through which we specify what we will mean when we use particular terms that will be used in the research. Conceptualization is primarily concerned with two major steps: the formulation of the problem statement and defining the conceptual and operational terms in the problem statement.
In formulating the problem statement, it should be specific, identifying clearly the variables/concepts and measures/indicators that will be studied in the research. Apart from being specific, problem statements should also be verifiable, meaning, each variable or concept is not only identifiable, but also measurable. These variables and concepts are measured through instruments, which must contain statements that are phrased affirmatively. Statements in the instrument must also be simple (and researchers must avoid double-barreled questions), clear, and unambiguous. The formulation of the problem statement is perhaps the most important part of the conceptualization process since the researchers learn to distinguish important concepts or variables that will eventually be measured and analyzed in the study.
The second part of the conceptualization stage is defining the terms that will be used in the research. Operational definitions are essential in the conceptualization process because terms used in the study will be applied in the context of the research. Thus, if the research problem is about the effectiveness of 'touch therapy' in improving patient recovery, operational definitions of touch therapy effectiveness and patient recovery should be defined in the context of the study. Putting in the proper context the terms that will...
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