A concept’s theoretical levels are distinct from its measurement level

Evidence

I suggest that most complex and abstract concepts have in fact this three-level structure. The basic and secondary levels are really the theory of the concept, while the indicator/data level is the connection to measures and data collection. — Gary Goertz, Social Science Concepts, 110

Categorization

• DEFINE: Separates basic/secondary theoretical levels from the indicator-data level that links concepts to measures.
• XREF: Echoes the operationalization/measurement-validity debate in social science methods (Adcock and Collier’s background and systematized concepts).