Objectivity, Operational Definitions, and Why They Matter
What is objectivity?
As you can see from the table
below, objectivity and subjectivity are opposites.
Subjective
Objective
Personal opinion (“I feel…”)
Fact (“The evidence shows…”)
Not directly observable: You have to interpret,
read between the lines, to “see” it.
Observable: Everyone can see it; even a video
camera can see it.
Subjective descriptions may involve comments,
adjectives, and labels that not everyone would say are accurate.
Example: The fanatics
are planning an extravagant party at
a luxurious New York hotel.
Objective descriptions are unbiased. People would
agree that the descriptions are accurate (although they might argue that
the descriptions leave out important aspects).
Example: They are planning a party at a New York
hotel.
In your head
Out in real world
Operational definitions are objective recipes
that other researchers can follow. Thus, just as a specific, clear, detailed
recipe allows other cooks to recreate another cook’s dish, an operational
definition allows other researchers to recreate a given researcher’s study.
Operational definitions can be used to discuss some abstract, subjective
concepts (e.g., “intelligence,” “love”) in objective terms. Note that
operational definitions, because they are objective, are useful.
1. Which recipe is more objective?
Add one teaspoon of salt, one half teaspoon of pepper, and one teaspoon
of garlic.
Flavor it so it tastes good.
2. Which recipe is more useful?
Add one teaspoon of salt, one half teaspoon of pepper, and one teaspoon
of garlic.
Flavor it so it tastes good.
3. Which advice is more objective?
You can tell when someone is lying because they give off a lying vibe.
When people tell lies, they use fewer personal pronouns (e.g., “I”), and
they use fewer words.
4. Which advice is more useful?
You can tell when someone is lying because they give off a lying vibe.
When people tell lies, they use fewer personal pronouns (e.g., “I”), and
they use fewer words.
5. Which advice is more objective?
To improve your chances of telling whether someone is lying, clear your
mind and focus on the person’s aura.
To improve your chances of telling whether someone is lying, don’t look
at their face: Instead, listen to their words.
6. Which advice is more useful?
To improve your chances of telling whether someone is lying, clear your
mind and focus on the person’s aura.
To improve your chances of telling whether someone is lying, don’t look
at their face: Instead, listen to their words.
7. Which advice is more objective?
Have a nice day.
Tonight, write down three things you can be grateful for.
8. Which advice is more useful for helping you
feel good today?
Have a nice day.
Tonight, write down three things you can be grateful for.
9. Which advice is more objective and more like an
operational definition?
Be yourself.
Be early, turn your cell phone off, bring your resume, and ask the
interviewer questions about the job.
10. Which advice is more useful for doing well in
an interview?
Be yourself.
Be early, turn your cell phone off, bring your resume, and ask the
interviewer questions about the job.
As you can see from the next three questions,
operational definitions help us make testable
statements.
11. Which statement includes a solid operational definition and
is testable?
If you add good spices, they will love it.
If you add a bay leaf and cumin, most of your guests will ask for
seconds.
12. Which statement includes a solid operational definition and
is testable?
If you try your best, you will do well in the class.
If you study two hours a day and take the practice quizzes, you will get
at least an 80% on the final exam.
13. Which statement includes a solid operational definition and
is testable?
If we continue to average more than 4 yards on first down and we have
fewer than two turnovers, we will win.
