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Operational Definitions Handout

Operational Definitions

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Cara Laban
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448 views

Operational Definitions Handout

Operational Definitions

Uploaded by

Cara Laban
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS

Defining terms
Whenever we have to investigate some aspect of behavior that is vague or may have multiple
meanings, we may want to define such terms or concepts in ways that are precise, measurable,
and concrete. Such definitions are called operational definitions. Below are some hypotheses that
are being researched. Identify which terms in each hypothesis should be operationally defined,
and then give an example of how each of these terms might be defined so that the hypotheses can
be more clearly tested.
a. Memory improves with regular exercise.

IV: days of exercise / wk DV: How well one can recall ideas presented earlier

b. Proper nutrition aids alertness in the classroom. IV: Assigned Healthy Diet Plan DV: Scores on Pop quiz at end of class
c. People who are talking on car phones do not drive safely.
IV: Talking on phone while driving DV: Amount of accidents due to phone usage

d. Frustration causes aggression

IV: Giving an impossible puzzle vs easy puzzle DV: Amount punching bag is hit.

e. Lack of sleep impairs ones judgment. IV: amount of sleep allowed per night DV: Give judgement task game (Train game)
f. People in love perceive each other more positively than others perceive them.
IV: Couples in love DV: attractiveness rating on scale

g. Participating in team sports builds character.

IV: Participation in team sport DV: Level of sportsmanship ( list examples)

h. Anxiety interferes with logical thinking.

IV: Anxiety from test they can't study for DV:

i. Loving parents produce children who grow up to be honest adults.


j. Smoking on the part of mothers produces more hyperactive children.
k. Tall people are likely to be extroverts.
l. Religious people are friendlier than non-religious people.

Copyright 1996 Andy Geoghegan,


Critical Thinking Across the Curriculum Project
Longview Community College , Lee's Summit, Missouri - U.S.A.

One of the Metropolitan Community Colleges


An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
Permission to reproduce these resource pages is granted for
non-profit educational use provided the above information
is retained on all copies.

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