A Guide to Publishing for Academics

72

JaMes r. Marsden

frequency of authors ignoring this importance. If a theory or a propo-

sition is to be subjected to test or initial validation, then each variable

or construct utilized must be clearly and fully defined. ere must be

clear operational definitions so that subsequent researchers can repeat

or extend the testing and validation processes.

I have been troubled by how often precise operational definitions of

constructs are not provided in a manuscript. Constructs are discussed

and linked to prior usage in the literature, yet are often not defined.

e situation is not helped by the shifting of definition or interpre-

tation or measurement to third parties such as survey respondents.

Recently, I read through an assortment of papers that ...