In "The Practice of Social Research," Babbie (2013) suggest the following research question as a simple example: Are social sciences teachers, natural sciences teachers, or arts teachers more beloved among students on a college campus?
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 may be good choices and which may not bring about the desired results? Why? What does your consideration of these options tell you about operationalization? Why is that significant?