Operational definitions of variables are important. Once you know what they are, you will begin seeing them in just about every scientific journal article you read. 

Let's say I was conducting a study and I said my dependent variable was "upper body strength."

Now, how many ways can upper body strength be measured? Push-up test? Hand-grip dynamometer? Pull-up test? Bench press? There are many possibilities. 

I would need to operationally define "upper body strength" by saying exactly how I was measuring it (with what tool and what protocol). 

Operational definitions should be detailed enough to allow for two things: replication and analysis. 

In other words, the reader could repeat the measurement being done and they could decide if the study design fits what they are trying to learn about (analysis). For example, maybe they want to read bench press studies, but not hand-grip dynamometer studies. 

Question:

Are operational definitions typically found in the dictionary?

Select one:

a. No

b. Yes

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

Ans a No An operational definition is the specific meaning of a word or ph... View the full answer