(Two Stick Figures Push Puzzle Together, n.d.)
What Exactly is Concept Explication?
Have you ever struggled to define an abstract concept in your research report or analysis? Serena Miller’s offers a seven-step framework and definition for evaluating and creating formal conceptual definitions. Concept Explication, as explained by Miller, is “a process that involves logical, creative, and empirical procedures in which a concept is created, defined, and used in scientific research” McLeod & Pan, 2004, p. 16).” (Miller, 2023) Now that we have a definition, we need a guide on how to successfully explicate a concept.
- Miller’s Seven-Step Framework
- Miller’s seven-step framework can be broken down into this:
- Collect and Record Relevant Conceptual Interpretations of Construct
- The goal at this step is to thematically analyze scholarly literature to understand how researchers interpret a concept. At this step, record information such as formal conceptual definitions, concept descriptions, measures, popular literature, and non-scholarly definitions. The end goal at this step is to understand all references and definitions in a scholarly and popular meaning.
- Thematically Map Conceptual Definitions
- Organize conceptual definitions at this step. This includes ordering definitions chronologically, recording key terms, noting field-specific information (if interdisciplinary), and recording observations and patterns. One way to keep track of conceptual definitions is to make a table or spreadsheet to keep everything as organized as possible.
- Map Neighboring Concepts to Determine Boundaries
- To ensure validity, mapping other relevant concepts in a separate table is helpful. Reviewing similar or polar concepts helps scholars identify the essence and scope of their concept and ensures that a proposed definition is representative rather than concept proliferation (the rapid increase of concepts and theories)
- Evaluate State of Conceptual Definitions
- At this step, you can see if a new or modified conceptual definition is needed. Please don’t worry if a new one is necessary; it’s common to change or redefine your definition because of the rarity of applicable formal definitions.
- Present Existing, Modified, or New Formal Conceptual Definition
- This step makes sure that your new or modified definition is helpful, especially if you have a multidimensional construct.
- Content Validate Conceptual Definition
- This next step is critical. You’re validating the conceptual definition through expert feedback (such as the Delphi method) to ensure that the definition is comprehensible and valid.
- Refine and Present Formal Conceptual Definition
- In the final step of this framework, you will incorporate all feedback and finalize the definition to make sure it’s clear and applicable.
(Word Information Under Magnifying Glass Magnifying Stock Illustration 305281106 | Shutterstock, n.d.)
Is it Useful? What are the limitations?
While the framework for concept explication appears thorough and explanatory, some existing challenges may make its use more difficult. One example of a limitation is that this framework does not provide formal training. There’s no instruction or guidance on how to create these theories. Another limitation could be the scarcity of useful existing definitions. Miller writes that “many concepts are not conceptually well-defined, which suggests that measures derived from definitions can be questionable.” (Miller, 2023, p.10) This means that some researchers can begin the framework from disadvantaged steps as their ideal starting material doesn’t exist.
While there are some limitations to this method, it still has some highlights and usefulness. First, this method ensures a rigorous measurement. The base of this measurement lies in the premise that a “good scale must align with a formal conceptual definition.” (Wacker, 2008, p.8) (Miller, 2023, p. 10). It emphasizes that definitions are the “connective tissue that ties theory with reality.” (Miller, 2023, p. 10)
How Does This Framework Compare?
How does this seven-step framework compare? McLeod & Pan define concept explication as a process involving “logical, creative, and empirical procedures in which a concept is “created, defined, and used in scientific research”” McLeod & Pan write that “Concept explication is distinguished from concept formation or analysis in that the goal to theoretically link measures to a particular scientific concept.” (McLeod & Pan, 2004). McLeod & Pan also discourage the use of lists in their writing citing that “lists are time-bound, violating the principle of abstractness” (McLeod & Pan, 2004). Another source included in Miller’s framework comes from S.H. Chaffee’s writing about explication. Chaffee writes that concept explication is the “dialectic process between the conceptual and operational aspects of research.” (Chaffee, 1991). Chaffee also mentions to stay away from creating lists since they take away the abstractness of your concept.
Influencing my Research
Miller’s model will be utilized in my own research and the process of concept explication. I’m not sure if I will use the seven-step framework as the basis of my research, but I plan to refer to it during the research process. Step three will be crucial to my concept explication, as it involves mapping neighboring concepts to determine boundaries. In my current choice of what I want to create as a concept, I want to use a lot of theories surrounding social media and Generation Z, so mapping neighboring concepts and approaches to my theory will aid me a lot in my process.
Suggestions
One piece of advice I will give future researchers is to adopt or create a systematic concept explication approach that works for you and your area of research. Miller’s seven-step approach might work for you and how you want to approach your research, but that might not be the case. My advice is to learn and see what else (other ways or framework) is out there to approach or practice concept explication.
WORKS CITED
Chaffee. (1991). Communication concepts 1: Explication.
McLeod, J. M., & Pan, Z. (2004). Concept explication and theory construction. In S. Dunwoody, L. B. Becker, D. M. McLeod, & G. M. Kosicki, The evolution of key mass communication concepts. Honoring Jack M. McLeod. Hampton Press.
Miller, Serena (2023). A framework for evaluating and creating formal conceptual definitions: A concept explication approach for scale developers. In L.R. Ford & T.A. Scandura (Eds.), The Sage handbook of survey development and application. Sage.
Two stick figures push puzzle together. (n.d.). PresenterMedia. https://www.presentermedia.com/powerpoint-clipart/two-puzzle-pieces-coming-together-pc-pid-1650
Word information under Magnifying Glass Magnifying Stock Illustration 305281106 | Shutterstock. (n.d.). Shutterstock. https://www.shutterstock.com/image-illustration/word-information-under-magnifying-glass-on-305281106?dd_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F
