Premium
Conceptualization and Operationalization of Executive Function
Author(s) -
Baggetta Peter,
Alexander Patricia A.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
mind, brain, and education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.624
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 1751-228X
pISSN - 1751-2271
DOI - 10.1111/mbe.12100
Subject(s) - conceptualization , operationalization , psycinfo , construct (python library) , psychology , clarity , empirical research , function (biology) , cognitive psychology , cognition , population , epistemology , computer science , sociology , medline , political science , artificial intelligence , philosophy , evolutionary biology , biology , biochemistry , chemistry , demography , neuroscience , law , programming language
Executive function is comprised of different behavioral and cognitive elements and is considered to play a significant role in learning and academic achievement. Educational researchers frequently study the construct. However, because of its complexity functionally, the research on executive function can at times be both confusing and contradictory. To attempt to bring some clarity to the construct, a systematic review of contemporary empirical studies was conducted. A PsycInfo database search was conducted and 106 empirical studies were selected for review. The analyses explored specific aspects of these studies such as how executive function is defined and measured, and in what domains and population groups is it studied. The resulting analyses identified both points of convergence and divergence, as well as issues with both the conceptualization and operationalization of executive function.