Variables are among the most critical components of research. They serve as representations of realities that researchers wish to measure. To facilitate effective and reliable research, various processes and practices have been established. Conceptualization and operationalization are some of these processes. While they may sound academic, these concepts have real and tangible impacts on the research process. Before examining a variable through research, it is important to begin with a clear understanding of its theoretical elements. As will be revealed in a later discussion, conceptual and operational definitions allow researchers to conduct research that is grounded in valid theories while reflecting the situation on the ground.
Definitions
Conceptual and operational definitions are common terms used when discussing research processes. Essentially, conceptual definitions concern the theoretical underpinnings of an issue (Profetto-McGrath, Polit, & Beck, 2010). These definitions allow one to understand the meaning of an issue and its relationship with other issues. For example, the conceptual definition of family may shed light on how it is related to societal structures and traditions. On the other hand, operational definitions imbue concepts with practicality and reality. These definitions stipulate how a variable is to be measured (Profetto-McGrath, Polit, & Beck, 2010). For example, the operational definitions of family may measure such issues as one’s parental heritage. In general, operational definitions present variables as more than mere theoretical issues. They enable individuals to understand the practical manifestations of variables.
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Conceptualization of Race
The discussion above has shed light on the meaning of conceptual definition. To shed further light on the meaning of conceptual definition, it is helpful to develop a conceptualization of race. As pointed out above, conceptual definitions concern the theoretical aspects of variables and the relationship between the variables and other issues. Race is a complex issue whose conceptualization is varied and multi-faceted. Various theories have been developed to explain this variable. For example, there are theories which underscore the biological foundations of race. In his article, Adam Templeton (2013) explored the biological explanations for race. He notes that it is widely believed that there are biological differences among humans from different races. He proceeds to state that these beliefs are entirely baseless and that such manifestations of race as differences in skin color are not necessarily the result of biological forces (Templeton, 2013). Basically, Templeton makes it clear that the biological differences among different human groups demonstrate uniqueness and that they are not related to race. The discussion that Templeton offers places race into perspective. It enables one to recognize that race is believed to be closely linked to biology. Therefore, a conceptual definition of race would not be considered complete without at least a mention of its relationship with biology.
Biology is not the only issue that is used to conceptualize race. Social forces also shape race (Smith et al., 2008). Functionalism, conflict theory and interactionism are some of the sociological theories that shed light on race. According to the functionalism theory, racial inequalities serve important functions in a society (Shepard, 2009). For example, racist attitudes enhance bonds among members of a given racial community by encouraging the rejection of outsiders. Conflict theory explains how racial minorities have struggled to gain respect and equal treatment (Shepard, 2009). This theory suggests that tensions and conflicts are inevitable realities in a multi-racial society. The interactionism theory posits that race provides individuals with a sense of identity (Shepard, 2009). The different sociological theories explore how race is linked to such issues as racial conflicts, identity and racism. Therefore, these theories aid the conceptualization of race.
Operationalization of Race
It has been noted that operationalization of variables involves measurement. Various measures of race have been developed. One of these measures is racial experiences (Torres & Colon, 2015). Today, one’s experiences with race, both positive and negative can be used as indicators of race. For example, individuals who derive pride and confidence from their race can use their positive experiences to establish their racial identity. On the other hand, the experiences of those who have suffered discrimination may also be used as measures of race. Biological variation is another factor that facilitates the measurement of race (Torres & Colon, 2015). For instance, the color of one’s skin, hair or eyes may be used to establish their race. Using biological variation as a measure of race, individuals with black skin are classified as African Americans while those with white skin are considered to be of the white race and so on. While biological differences offer clear insights into race, there are other measures which inspire contention and disagreement among scholars. Health and economic disparities are among these factors. It has been observed that there exist glaring inequalities as regards access to health services among the different racial communities in the US. Moreover, racial minorities tend to grapple with such economic challenges as low incomes and poverty. The disparities shed light on race and can therefore be used to operationalize this variable. For example, it would be fair to assume that an individual who struggles in his effort to access quality healthcare due to poverty is probably from a racial minority community.
Census Bureau Changes
For the 2010 census, the Census Bureau introduced a number of changes that transformed the conceptualization and operationalization of race. These changes mostly concerned the Hispanic/Latino community. One of the changes involved decoupling race from one’s country of origin. According to the new changes, an individual could identify as belonging to any race regardless of their country of origin (United States Census Bureau, 2011). This change altered the conceptual definition of race as it fails to acknowledge the link between race and one’s country of origin. Another change that the Census Bureau introduced included broadening the range of races. In previous years, the classes of race were limited to five. For the 2010 census, the Bureau included a new category: “Some other race” (United States Census Bureau, 2011). Through this change, the bureau essentially acknowledged that individuals are best placed to point out the race that they best identify with. Recognizing the link between race and culture is another change that the Census Bureau introduced. Individuals were permitted to identify Hispanic as their race provided that they belonged to a Spanish culture, their actual (biological) race notwithstanding (United States Census Bureau, 2011). Overall, the changes that the Census Bureau introduced redefined the concept of race while adopting new measures of race.
In introducing the changes discussed above, the Census Bureau was driven by a number of factors. Revision of federal standards is the main force that compelled the bureau to introduce the changes. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued new guidelines regarding the definitions of race. According to the updated standards that OMB developed, there is a clear distinction between race and Hispanic origin (United States Census Bureau, 2011). Essentially, the new standards acknowledged that the mere fact that one is of Hispanic origin does not necessarily qualify them for inclusion in the Hispanic race. The need to reflect the changes that the demographic profile of the US had undergone also appears to have inspired the changes that the Census Bureau introduced. It is reasonable to argue that the bureau wished to ensure that its findings offered a true reflection of the country’s racially diverse population.
Impact of Changes on Variables
The changes that the Census Bureau redefined the operationalization of race. The redefinition of this variable could cause an individual to make different conclusions regarding race. As has been pointed out above, the changes disregarded the link between race and one’s Hispanic origin. Had they recognized this link, the changes would challenge one to acknowledge that Hispanic origin is a reliable measure of race. Now that the changes fail to account for this link, any conclusions that one reaches regarding race are based entirely on self-reports of race. Basically, the 2010 census was based mostly on the races that people identified with instead of their countries of origin or heritage. Therefore, the changes lead to the conclusion that self-identification is the primary factor that defines one’s race. Perhaps the most important impact that the changes had is that they broadened the race spectrum because the Census Bureau introduced a new category for those who did not fit into any of the others. The implication of this impact is that race is a broad concept that cannot be limited to one’s original nationality. Essentially, race is a question of cultural heritage and identification.
Reflection
As already mentioned, the new definitions that the Bureau applied in the 2010 census transformed the conceptualization and operationalization of race. The Bureau’s conceptual and operational definitions of this variable deviate significantly from my personal definitions. In an earlier section, I made it clear that biological and social forces are the key factors that shape the conceptual definition of race. I understand that it is nearly impossible to develop a comprehensive and accurate conceptual definition of race without acknowledging social and biological foundations of race. On the other hand, the definitions of the Census Bureau do not recognize the impacts of these foundations. I find that the definitions that I offered are far more comprehensive and accurate. As regards the operationalization of race, I notice stark differences between my definition and the bureaus. In my definition of the operationalization of race, I identified concrete and standard metrics that are used to measure race. For example, I noted that the color of one’s skin offers insights into their race. Instead of working with similar standard metrics, the Census Bureau placed the determination of one’s race in the hands of individual respondents. I think that this decision was unwise and could lead to inaccurate results. This discussion has established that race is a concrete and measurable concept. Therefore, the Census Bureau should have developed clearer guidelines to enable respondents to accurately state their race. Given its failure to develop these guidelines, the findings of the census that the bureau conducted should be accepted with caution and subjected to intense scrutiny.
Conclusion
The complexity of the research process forces researchers to rely on established guidelines and standards. As they conduct studies, researchers should remember to develop conceptual and operational definitions of the variables under investigation. It is particularly important for researchers exploring questions related to race to adopt accurate and standard definitions for this variable. There are different conceptual and operational definitions of race. However, nearly all the definitions recognize the biological and social foundations of race. Theories which explore the manifestations of race have also been developed. The census that the Census Bureau performed in 2010 makes it clear that operational and conceptual definitions have actual impacts of research exercises. To obtain accurate results, researchers need to begin by establishing definitions which accurately shed light on the variables being investigated.
References
Profetto-McGrath, J., Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2010). Canadian essentials of nursing
Research. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Shepard, J. M. (2009). Sociology. Boston: Cengage.
Smith, G., Henderson, G., Blumenthal, C., Dorrance, J., & Estroff, S. (2008). Conceptualizing
Race in research. Journal of the National Medical Association, 100 (10), 1235-43.
Templeton, A. R. (2013). Biological races in humans. Studies in History and Philosophy
Of Science, 44 (3), 262-271.
Torres, J. B., & Colon, G. A. T. (2015). Racial experience as an alternative operationalization
Of race. Human Biology, 87 (4), 306-312.
United States Census Bureau. (2011). Overview of race and Hispanic origin: 2010.
Retrieved May 26, 2018 from https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2011/dec/c2010br-02.pdf.
