Construct overview

In addition to the overview below, there are overviews containing only the construct definitions or the instructions for developing measurement instruments (for empirical research), coding measurement instruments (for systematic reviews), and for eliciting construct content, and coding qualitative data (both for qualitative research).

Construct label	Construct definition	Developing measurement instruments	Coding measurement instruments	Eliciting qualitative data	Coding qualitative data	Unique construct identifier (UCID)
Behavior	Definition for Behavior × The target behaviour is the behaviour to explain using determinants. A behaviour is defined as individual human activity that involves co-ordinated contraction of striated muscles controlled by the brain. Note that this also includes the lack of such co-ordinated contraction. Unique Construct Identifier (UCID): ❄️behavior_73dnt605	Instructions for developing measurement instruments for Behavior × Depending on the nature of the target behavior, engagement in that behavior can be conceived as binary (i.e. one either does or does not engage in the target behavior, e.g. getting tested for STIs every six months), a matter of frequency (i.e. one engages in the target behavior with a frequency from zero up to a given feasible maximum frequency in a given timespan, e.g. the frequency with which one washes their hands conform the guidelines), a matter of intensity (i.e. one engages in the target behavior to a degree from zero up to a given feasible maximum intensity, e.g. the amount of kilocalories one consumed in a meal), or a combination of these (i.e. one engages in the target behavior with a given frequency and with a given intensity, e.g. how frequently one drinks alcohol, and how many grams of alcohol one consumes when one does). Unique Construct Identifier (UCID): ❄️behavior_73dnt605	Instructions for coding existing measurement instruments for Behavior × Ideally, the target behaviour is described unequivocally and consistent in the questions and instructions for participants, and in publications resulting from the research. Moreover, the target behaviour should be described as specific as possible, i.e. specifying action, target, context, and time - and address the level of generality of the behaviour. Diverging and/or ambiguous formulations of the target behaviour confound and limit the applicability of study results. For example 'exercising for at least 20 minutes, three times per week, for the next 3 months' could be a viable target behaviour. However, the definition of 'exercising' should specified, as participants be may have different views of what comprises 'exercising'. When a target behaviour is not sufficiently defined, or when various definitions are used, this has to be taken into account when assessing the quality of the study. Unique Construct Identifier (UCID): ❄️behavior_73dnt605	Instructions for eliciting construct content for Behavior × Conduct a qualitative study where participants are individually interviewed in a free-response format, and the interviews are either recorded and transcribed, or notes are kept. These sources are then coded using the instruction for aspect coding. In this qualitative study, ask participants for their performance of the target behaviour. The target behaviour should be described unequivocally and consistent, addressing action, target, context, time, and level of generality. As an introduction to the question a definition of the target behaviour can be provided. An example can be: 'Our definition of "exercise" is "all physical activity strenuous enough to make you sweat". Can you tell me if you currently exercise for at least 20 minutes, three times per week?'. An alternative question could be: 'In the past 3 months, how often have you exercised for at least 20 minutes, three times per week?'. Note that this latter question measures past behaviour. In practice, asking about current behaviour most often concerns a retrospective asessment of behaviour until the moment of assessment. Unique Construct Identifier (UCID): ❄️behavior_73dnt605	Instructions for coding qualitative data for Behavior × Expressions that demonstrate or imply engagement in the target behaviour. The more specific the definition of the target behaviour, the greater the possibility that people partially engage in the target behaviour; i.e. they do not fulfill all behavioural criteria, e.g. when a participant exercises for at least 20 minutes, but not three, but two times per week. How these partial engagements in the target behaviour are to be coded, should be decided a priori. Unique Construct Identifier (UCID): ❄️behavior_73dnt605	behavior_73dnt605
Behaviour	Definition for Behaviour × An individual’s manifest, observable activities in response to external or internal stimuli. Unique Construct Identifier (UCID): ❄️behaviour_79n2w1bj	Instructions for developing measurement instruments for Behaviour × The prefered instruments to measure behaviour are observation by trained observers using a valid and reliable reporting protocol and/or the use of technical measures and devices to record and track behaviour during particular events and over time. If these objective measures can not be used, self-report of behaviour assessed by questionniares or interviews are an alternative option. However, one should take into account that these latter instruments by definition measure a subjective representation of behaviour. Moreover, whereas there is general agreement about the definition of a specific behaviour ("running"), this is not the case when asking about a broad behavioural category, such as "exercising". To assess a category of behaviours via self-report, therefore, we must provide a clear definition of the category in question and specify action, target, context, and time. Depending on the nature of the behaviour, engagement in the behaviour can be conceived as binary (i.e. one either does or does not engage in the target behaviour, e.g. getting tested for STIs every six months), a matter of frequency (i.e. one engages in the target behaviour with a frequency from zero up to a given feasible maximum frequency in a given timespan, e.g. the frequency with which one washes their hands conform the guidelines), a matter of intensity (i.e. one engages in the target behaviour to a degree from zero up to a given feasible maximum intensity, e.g. the amount of kilocalories one consumed in a meal), or a combination of these (i.e. one engages in the target behaviour with a given frequency and with a given intensity, e.g. how frequently one drinks alcohol, and how many grams of alcohol one consumes when one does). The instructions for developing a self-report instrument to measure behaviour, logically derive from the foregoing consideration regarding the nature of the behaviour of interest. For example, for a dichotomous response option (yes/no) the question can be formulated in the following way: "Did you get tested for STIs during the last six months?". If the behaviour is a matter of frequency, multiple response options may be given, e.g.: "During the last seven days, how many days did you drink two or more alcoholic drinks?", with response options ranging from 0 to 7. Unique Construct Identifier (UCID): ❄️behaviour_79n2w1bj	Instructions for coding existing measurement instruments for Behaviour × Instruments that measure observable behaviour. The prefered instruments for this purpose are observation by trained observers using a valid and reliable reporting protocol and/or the use of technical measures and devices to record and track behaviour during particular events and over time. Self-report of behaviour assessed by questionniares or interviews are alternative options. However, one should take into account that these latter methods by definition measure a subjective representation of behaviour. Moreover, whereas there is general agreement about the definition of a specific behaviour ("running"), this is not the case when asking about a broad behavioural category, such as "exercising". To assess a category of behaviours via self-report, therefore, a clear definition of the category in question must be provided, specifying action, target, context, and time. Depending on the nature of the behaviour, engagement in the behaviour can be conceived as binary (i.e. one either does or does not engage in the target behaviour, e.g. getting tested for STIs every six months), a matter of frequency (i.e. one engages in the target behaviour with a frequency from zero up to a given feasible maximum frequency in a given timespan, e.g. the frequency with which one washes their hands conform the guidelines), a matter of intensity (i.e. one engages in the target behaviour to a degree from zero up to a given feasible maximum intensity, e.g. the amount of kilocalories one consumed in a meal), or a combination of these (i.e. one engages in the target behaviour with a given frequency and with a given intensity, e.g. how frequently one drinks alcohol, and how many grams of alcohol one consumes when one does). The composition of self-report instruments to measure behaviour, logically derive from the foregoing consideration regarding the nature of the behaviour of interest. For example, for a dichotomous response option (yes/no) the question can be formulated in the following way: "Did you get tested for STIs during the last six months?". If the behaviour is a matter of frequency, multiple response options may be given, e.g.: "During the last seven days, how many days did you drink two or more alcoholic drinks?", with response options ranging from 0 to 7. Unique Construct Identifier (UCID): ❄️behaviour_79n2w1bj	Instructions for eliciting construct content for Behaviour × Conduct a qualitative study where participants are interviewed, and the interviews are either recorded and transcribed, or notes are kept. These sources are then coded using the instruction for aspect coding. In this qualitative study, the formulation of the question(s) depends on the nature of the behaviour, i.e. engagement in the behaviour can be conceived as binary (i.e. one either does or does not engage in the target behaviour, e.g. getting tested for STIs every six months), a matter of frequency (i.e. one engages in the target behaviour with a frequency from zero up to a given feasible maximum frequency in a given timespan, e.g. the frequency with which one washes their hands conform the guidelines), a matter of intensity (i.e. one engages in the target behaviour to a degree from zero up to a given feasible maximum intensity, e.g. the amount of kilocalories one consumed in a meal), or a combination of these (i.e. one engages in the target behaviour with a given frequency and with a given intensity, e.g. how frequently one drinks alcohol, and how many grams of alcohol one consumes when one does). If engagement in the behaviour is conceived as binary, the interviewer can ask a question in the following fashion: "Do you you perform BEHAVIOUR X?", "Do you you perform BEHAVIOUR X when at location X?", or "Did you you perform BEHAVIOUR X during period X?". If the interviewer is interested in the frequency the behaviour is performed, he/she can ask a question in the following fashion: "During period X, how many days did you perform BEHAVIOUR X?" or "When you were at location X, how many times did you perform BEHAVIOUR X?". If the intensity of performance of the behaviour is the focus of interest, the interviewer can ask a question in the following fashion: "On the days you performed BEHAVIOUR X during period X, how much/many did you take/consume?" or "On the days you performed BEHAVIOUR X during period X, how long did you engage in BEHAVIOUR X?" If both the frequency and intensity of engagement in the behaviour is of interest, the interviewer can formulate questions in the following way: "During period X, how many days did you perform BEHAVIOUR X and for how long?" or "During period X, how many days did you perform BEHAVIOUR X and how much/many did you take/consume each time?". Unique Construct Identifier (UCID): ❄️behaviour_79n2w1bj	Instructions for coding qualitative data for Behaviour × Expressions that demonstrate or imply engagement in the behaviour of interest. These expressions may indicate engagement in the behaviour (yes/no), the frequency the behaviour is performed, the intensity with which the behaviour is performed, or a combination of the foregoing aspects. For example: "I do not drink alcohol", "I only drink alcohol in the weekends", "When going clubbing I drink about 5 tot 6 beers", or "I drink one glass of wine each day with dinner". Expressions that refer to either intentions, willingness, or specific plans to engage in the behaviour should not be coded as dct:behaviour_79n2w1bj, but as, respectively, dct:intention_73dnt604, dct:willingness_79n2fh4w, and dct:action_plan_79n2w1bh Unique Construct Identifier (UCID): ❄️behaviour_79n2w1bj	behaviour_79n2w1bj