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Assignment 1: CONCEPTUALIZING AND OPERATIONALIZING VARIABLES (25 points)
Due 11:55pm EST on Sunday of Week 3
PURPOSE: The purpose of this exercise is to conceptualize and operationalize variables, and understand how conceptual and operational definitions impact the conclusions drawn about variables.
WRITING REQUIREMENTS: The essay should be 4-6 pages. APA formatting should be used throughout (cover page, running header, major heading, subheadings, in-text citations, and reference list). Any time you paraphrase or directly quote a source, in-text citations should be used. A full APA-formatted reference should be included at the end of the assignment. Academically, no more that 20% of the essay should be quoted. At least 80% should be in your own words.
The essay should include the following subheadings:
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Definitions
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Conceptualizes race
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Operationalizes race
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Census Bureau changes
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How changes to variables affect conclusions
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Reflection
INSTRUCTIONS: Make sure to follow the directions in order.
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First, provide a definition of the terms: “conceptual definition” and “operational definition”.
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Next, conceptualize and operationalize the variable “race.”
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Read the Census Bureau’s report on race at:https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2011/dec/c2010br-02.pdf.
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Answer the following questions after reading the report:
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What changes did the Bureau make to the conceptualization and operationalization of race in the 2010 census?
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Why did the Bureau make these changes?
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Could the difference in operationalization produce different conclusions about race?
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Does the Bureau’s conceptualization and operationalization of race coincide with yours? If so, how? If not, what is different?