Answer:
conceptualization
Explanation:
Fairness is a subjective term. This means that the word fairness means something different to different people.
Here, the researcher is trying to understand how the individuals rate their experiences with police officers in relation to their perceived "fairness". In the statement can be seen that the fairness is perceived which is subjective. So, in order to remove the subjectivity the researcher has to set parameters in order to properly define fairness. In order to do so the reasercher has to conceptualize the meaning of fairness according to which he/she will carry on the research.