Exercise 7.4: From Conceptual to Operational Hypotheses

Here are the operational definitions for the variables social status and political participation that are related in the hypothesis:
"People with higher social status are more likely to participate in politics than those with lower status."



Here are two operational hypotheses that result:

a. The greater the number of school years completed, the more likely a person voted in the most recent presidential election.

b. The greater a person’s gross family income in the last year, the more likely that person made a contribution to a candidate or party.

State seven additional hypotheses:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Consider the following hypothesis: "People who are religious usually are conservative when it comes to social issues."

Identify the concepts in the hypothesis. Develop at least two operational definitions for each concept. State four operational hypotheses that result.

Consider the following hypothesis: "States with economies that depend on agriculture tend to support Republican candidates for office."

Identify the concepts in the hypothesis. Develop at least two operational definitions for each concept. State four operational hypotheses that result.