A System for Developing Operationalization Skills through Problem Decomposition

Novice researchers have difficulties in operationalization (breaking down of abstract concepts to measurables) and generalization (generalize the findings to make claims). We have designed a system called OPeD (Operationalizing using ProblEm Decomposition), for teaching learning of operationalization. OPeD trains novice researchers in operationalization through problem decomposition. OPeD is based on pedagogical theories of guided inquiry, problem visualization and adaptation. In order to visualize the operationalization process, OPeD guides the learner to create a decomposition tree and construct meaningful hypotheses based on the tree. The gradual and iterative construction of this tree can help learners develop their operationalization skills. In this paper we present the design of OPeD and provide an exemplar of a learner path in the context of educational research.