All researchers must define the terms or concepts they plan to use in their research question. For example, if your research question was, “How do new hires into an organization become socialized into the organization?” you would need to define what you meant by “become socialized”. Do you mean how are new employees oriented to their jobs? Or do you mean how do new employees learn the unwritten rules of the organization? Whatever you mean, you will have to explain this concept and why it is important to your research question. To do that, you will need to turn to the authorities, or seminal theorists, in the field and see how they have defined these concepts. By combining your own definition of the concept/construct (using logic and reasoning) and the contributions of experts, you will be able to define your concept/construct quite specifically.
Write a 1-1.5 page paper defining a concept/construct in your research question.
Use scholarly or high quality non-scholarly sources to craft your definition(s). Do not use dictionary definitions. If the term you have chosen to define is best defined using a dictionary definition, choose a different term to define.
This assignment is worth 100 points.
How does this assignment relate to your future?
Many misunderstandings and mistakes have been caused by inexact definitions of abstract concepts. You need to be able to narrow down the topics and develop in-depth areas of expertise that can be acquired through writing meaningful academic papers.
As a career professional, you will be expected to act on your superior’s directions. This means you need to know when to ask questions and gain clarity on an unfamiliar task. Perhaps some of the most valuable questions you can learn to ask more frequently are what do you mean or can you explain that.
The purpose of extended definition papers is to inform and clarify complex and abstract topics into clearly defined terms using examples and making an unfamiliar topic more familiar.
This assignment must conform to APA style requirements.
Why should you learn how to format your papers in APA style? APA style…
Teaches you to pay attention to detail.
Jobs require attention to detail.
Requires you to follow directions.
Teaches you how to write objectively and present evidence.
Jobs require employees to present information using facts, statistics, reasoning, and examples; not “I think, I feel, or I believe”.
Teaches procedural compliance.
Employers want workers who know how to follow a procedure because most jobs require procedural compliance.
What should you pay attention to when completing this assignment?
Organize this paper just like you would organize a good essay: introduction, body, conclusion.
Develop each paragraph with specific examples from the source material and use logical reasoning to develop and make your points. Well-developed paragraphs should be between 3-5 sentences. If you are unsure of how to write good paragraphs, consult an English Composition textbook, or work with the Student Success Center or online tutoring.
When crafting your extended definition, be sure to incorporate the definitions provided by researchers, preferably scholarly researchers or research produced by high quality non-scholarly sources. Do not copy definitions into the body of your paper. Use your words to create the definition, then cite and reference.
Where to find guidance on how to complete this assignment:
Read the Babbie text, specifically the chapter that discusses conceptualization (chapter 5 in the 7th edition). Also pay attention to the articles in your article collection and check for how those researchers define important concepts.
Read the resources provided in this week’s module.
Ask your instructor if you need help.
