In transferring a certain observable phenomenon into an entity that could be measured and studied, several steps should be followed. Generally, these steps are related to the way this subject can be defined, which indicators are chosen to analyze and so forth. Considering such aspects as communication between males and females, many dimensions specify this concept and based on which it can be measured. This paper is addressing the conceptualization of the communication between males and females, presenting five dimensions that might specify this concept and the way they can be measured.
Conceptualizing the observation of the communication between males and females, dimensions would be aspects, based on which this communication can be specified. In that regard, the following dimensions can fit into the aforementioned definition:
- Conflict dimension – this dimension will specify communication in terms of the tendency to conflict, either between different groups of males and females or within the group itself (male or female).
- Liking dimension – this dimension specifies non-verbal communication comparing males and females such as touch, eye contact, hug and etc (Powell & Caseau, 2004).
- Control dimension – this dimension specifies the concept of communication, in terms of such aspects as space, initiative, gaining authority, and etc.
- Sociability dimension – this dimension can be used to specify communication in such terms as the number of contacts, the frequency of communication, interactions between genders, and etc.
- Emotional dimension – this dimension can be used to specify communication in terms of the expressiveness of the emotions when communicating, susceptibility to the emotional influence of others, and so forth.
Thus, the aforementioned dimension can be used to specify the concept of communication between genders. The next step can be seen through operationalization, which is the development of the variables by which the concept can be measured. The strategy will imply two different measurements and sets, based on which the dimensions will be divided and measured. These sets will include a quantitative data collection. Accordingly, the sociability and control will be measured through a single set of measures, i.e. interval level of measures. These measures exhibit order and distance in their measurement. For the aforementioned set, surveys can be used to gather the data, which will describe and compare the concept.
The rest of the dimensions, i.e. liking, control and emotional, might use either interviews or surveys to collect the data, and accordingly, the ordinal level of measurement will be used. For the latter, a Likert scale might be used, where the formulation of the questions will be the most important part, which will determine the indicators of the concept.
It can be seen through the paper how the process of conceptualization was moving from merely an idea toward an established theory. It should be mentioned that the aforementioned procedures imply neither the validity nor the reliability of the measurement methods, based on which the value of the concept can be assessed. The paper merely indicated how an idea, i.e. the communication between genders, can be shaped into a narrow concept, e.g. women are more likely to express their emotions while communicating, men seem to be more likely to have conflict situations and etc. The findings of such measurement will help to describe the process and the subjects participating in it. In such a way, a concept was formed from turning imprecise notions into specific terms.
References
Baxter, L. A. (2003). The Basics of Communication Research: Wadsworth.
Powell, R. G., & Caseau, D. (2004). Classroom communication and diversity: enhancing instructional practice: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.