The Columbine school shootings were one of the first and most widely known attacks of violence in history. As a discrete event in time with a fairly clear beginning and end, it might be studied using the case study method. Would a case study remain the best approach to a search for any long-lasting consequences of that violent episode? Why or why not?
Consider the following research question: Are business professors, education professors, or psychology professors more popular among doctoral learners at a 4-year university?
To answer the research question, you might observe throughout a semester the attendance rates for a key course in each of the groups; review end-of-course surveys and compare average instructor ratings among the groups; or compare the number of cards, letters, and gifts received by faculty members in each group at the end of a semester.
Which of these methods is most likely to bring about the desired results? Why? What does your consideration of these options tell you about operationalization?