Operational Definition and Replication

Operational Definition & Replication

For a researcher to properly replicate a study, they must adhere to the operational definition originally established. The operational definition defines the independent and/or dependent variable in terms of the specific process that must be followed to validate the results. When a researcher conducts a study that has already been conducted, so as to verify the results or generalize them to another audience, the researcher is replicating the original study. For the researcher to validate their results, they must adhere to the operational definition established in the original study.

For example, a research psychologist conducts a longitudinal study on the neurodevelopment of male babies. The researcher is investigating the correlation between the neurodevelopment of male infants and the amount of nutritious foods consumed. The independent variable is the food consumed and the dependent variable is the neurological development. This case's operational definition defines the independent and dependent variables in terms of the following:

• The subject must be younger than 1 year of age at the start of the study.

• Nutritious food have nutritional content equal to or above at least three of the following nutrients: 5000 IU of Vitamin A, 60 mg of Vitamin C, 1000 mg of Calcium, 18 mg of Iron, 400 IU of Vitamin D, 30 IU of Vitamin E, 15 mg of Zinc, 1000 mg of Phosphorus, 400 mg of Magnesium.

• The subject's birth weight must have been equal to or above 4 pounds.

• The subject must be completely healthy with no birth defects, illness or any other extraneous conditions.

The results indicate a positive correlation between the amount of nutritious foods consumed and the neurodevelopment of a baby.

Another research psychologist conducts a longitudinal study on the correlation between the neurodevelopment of female babies and the amount of nutritious foods consumed. The researcher wants to compare the differences in neurological development between genders in regard to nutrition. To replicate the original study with accurate results, the researcher must ensure that:

• The subjects are younger than 1 year of age at the start of the study.

• The subjects eat foods with nutritional content equal to or above at least three of the aforementioned nutrients.

• The subjects' birth weight is equal to or above 7 pounds

• The subjects must be completely healthy with no birth defects, illness or any other extraneous conditions.

Once the researcher confirms that the second study follows every aspect of the operational definition, the original