Sunday, March 25, 2012

conceptual and operational definitions draft


I just wanted to share my first draft of the conceptual and operational definitions. It's a work in progress but I'm taking a break and thought I'd look it over again later today. I have questions about the conceptual definition of the DV... Not sure if it works out right below.


Conceptual and Operational Definitions
Research Question
How do children’s ability to use AAC in the home setting differ between the group of parents receiving video modeling training versus those without video modeling training.
Variables Defined

Variable 1: Independent Variable
Conceptual Definition
Operational Definition
Video Modeling
Video Modeling is defined as therapeutic tool used to teach an individual a new target behavior via video recording. The video recording can be done by the individual who is learning the new behavior or by an adult. The philosophies of video modeling are based off of Bandura’s Social Learning Theory (1977).
Treatment group 1 will be the control group that will only receive online resources. Treatment group 2 will receive video modeling training in addition to the online resources available to treatment group 1.

Variable 2:
Dependent Variable
Conceptual Definition
Operational Definition
Children’s use of AAC in the home setting
Children’s use of AAC can be defined as their communication competencies. Beukelman and Mirenda (2005) described communication competence that “involves the ability to efficiently and effectively transmit messages in all four of the interaction categories, based on individual interests, circumstances, and abilities” (p. 10). Light (1989) explained the four areas of communication competence (operational, linguistic, social, and strategic) that require skill, knowledge, and judgment (Beukelman & Mirenda, 2005).
Tracy Kovich (2005) created the Augmentative Alternative Profile to be use to informally assess skills and progress. The profile tool is used for 2.0 – 21.11 year olds. The profile can be used in a multidisciplinary team approach.  It assesses the four communication competency levels Light created in 1989 for a person using AAC.


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