TECHNICAL AND OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS

The term definition is a word or expression that has a precise meaning in some uses or is peculiar to a
science, art, profession, or subject. Defining terms is one way of helping to resolve problems of
ambiguity and there are many types of definitions.

TECHNICAL DEFINITION- is the universal meaning of a term mostly refers to the aspect of
explaining or describing any technical terms or terminology. It is also a definition that comes from
different reference material such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, books, journals, and even websites.
Two types of technical definitions
Parenthetical definition is defining by using more familiar synonym in parenthesis.
Example:
1. The company’s recent history is a case study (report) in
bad management.
2. The books provide a general framework (outline) for
understanding modern politics.
Sentence definition follows a set pattern; more complex terms are used.
Example:
1. Statistics is a branch of mathematics dealing with
collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of
masses of numerical data.
2. Deductive reasoning is a form of reasoning in which
conclusions are formulated about particulars from general
or universal premises.
Technical definition can be also defined this way:

OPERATIONAL DEFINITION-
Is more on the application of the word. It gives an obvious, precise, and communicable meaning to a
concept that is used to ensure comprehensive knowledge off the idea by specifying how the idea is
measured and applied within a particular set of circumstances.
Three Types of Operational Definition
1. Type A operational definition- can be constructed in terms of the operations performed to cause
the phenomenon to occur.
Examples:
1. Fear is a state produced by exposing an individual to an
object highest in his or her hierarchy of objects to be
avoided.
2. Conflict is a state produced by placing two or more i
individuals in a situation where each has the same goal
but only one can obtain it.
2. Type B operational definition- can be constructed in terms of how the particular object or things
operates.
Examples:
1. Monitor is a television receiver used in a studio to select
or verify the picture being broadcast from a particular
camera.
2. Keyboard is a set of keys on a piano or similar musical
instrument.
3. Type C operational definition- can be constructed in terms of what an object or phenomenon
looks like.
Examples:
1. Introversion is the tendency or characteristic of an
individual to prefer to engage in solitary rather than group
activities.
2. Team teaching is a utilization of two or more teachers to
develop lesson plans and teach in one or more subject
matter areas to a fixed group of students.

Operational definition can be also defined this way:

These two types of definition can be also applied in writing a research paper. Researchers are
required to accomplish the ‘definition of terms’ which contains the significant keywords and
variables in the research defined constitutively and operationally. Using these types of definition
will allow you to understand how single term could mean differently depending on the way the term is
used. It will also give you avenue to carefully attached definition to a single word other than its literal
meaning in the dictionary.

One characteristics of a good research is when it contains information which is clear, accurate and
reliable. This could be initially achieved by constructing a well-defined “definition of terms.”

Remember that definition facilitate understanding. It is the duty of any writer to define significant
term accurately to avoid confusion or misconception on the part of the readers. This applies to writing
a research which is one of your expected outputs as grade 10 students.

Activity 1: Tell Me What You Know?

Directions: Using the Venn diagram below differentiate technical definition from an operational
definition based on what you know. Present your answer to the class.
Activity 2: Identify and Define Me!
Directions: Identify if the given definition of the underlined word is operational or technical. If the
given definition is operational definition, then give the technical definition of the word, if the given
definition is technical definition, then give the operational definition of the word.

___________ 1. Does this treatment help people overcome depression?

Definition: it is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest.

__________ 2. Men who wear suits to work tend to be snobs.

Definition: it’s composed of a coat, tie, and slacks that guys wear at the weddings.

_________ 3. I hope that, when I’ve built up my savings, I’ll be able to travel to Mexico.
Definition: An economy of or reduction in money, time, or another resource.

_________ 4. Isn’t language learning fun?

Definition: The acquisition of knowledge or skills through experience, study, or being taught.

________ 5. Joe realized that the train was late while he waited at the train station.
Definition: Become fully aware of (something) as fact; understand clearly.

Activity 3: CATEGORIZED ME!

Directions: Read the sentences and categorize each according to the correct types of definitions.
Write your answers on the corresponding column inside the box.

1. Conflict happens in the family, among friends, in the classroom,

or around the corporate conference table.
2. An argumentative essay attempts to be highly persuasive and
logical.
3. An automobile is a car or truck that gets you around from place
to place and carries cargo or passengers, and makes it easier to
live in the city or countryside.
4. Computers are devices or machines used in performing,
assessing, evaluation, and following commands set by the users.
5. A telephone is a device used to talk to people who are far away.
6. Twitter is a social media platform that limits messages to 140
characters.
7. Electric current refers to the force between two infinite parallel
conductors, separated by a specified distance.
 Technical Definition Operational Definition

What it Is
 Research Report is a condensed form or a brief description of the research work
done by the researcher. It involves several steps to present the report in the form of
thesis or dissertation. It also refers to a completed study that reports an investigation
or exploration of a problem, identifies questions to be addressed, and includes data
collected, analyzed, and interpreted by the researcher.

Parts of Research Report

  Writing the Introduction

The essential parts of the introduction:

A. Brief Background: Provide an overview of the scope of the research.
B. Objectives of the Study: Articulate what you intend to find out or achieve in
the
study. Some researchers use research questions that they intend to address in
the report.
Others articulate the objectives of the study. Either way, research questions or
objectives are
tools to guide readers in knowing the direction of the research.
C. Significance of the Study. Discuss the relevance of the study to your intended
audience. Cite
the specific benefits that they can get from the findings of the research.
D. Literature Review. Discuss previous studies done on the chosen topic. Relate
how your
research relates to these previous researches.

The introduction serves the purpose of leading the reader from the general subject area to
a particular field of research. (Source https://library.sacredheart.edu/c.php?
g=29803&p=185916)
In writing the introduction, you also have to think of catchy devices or hooks that would
get the interest of your readers. This can be done through the use of questions, a direct
quotation, a startling fact or vivid description.

 Writing the Body

The body of the research report contains the substantial amount of information that
needs to be
clearly and accurately presented and analyzed. The data that will be presented in this section
are meant to address the research questions or objectives. In presenting the gathered
information, you can use pie charts, graphs or tables. Note that you must introduce each
illustration appropriately followed by an adequate discussion of the data presented.

Moreover, you need to use related studies to support or refute the findings. You can
do this by incorporating the notes (summary, quote, paraphrase) that you have gathered in the
rewriting phase. Also, introduce and explain the direct quotation, paraphrase or summary that
you have incorporated in the discussions. Remember to cite your sources using the
recommended system of documentation to avoid plagiarism. Plagiarism occurs when ideas,
information, and even pictures are used without proper acknowledgment of the original
sources.

 Writing the Conclusion

 The conclusion is important in bringing home the highlights of the research paper. A
well – written conclusion allows readers to take on a new perspective about the thesis.
Moreover, it provides readers with recommendations that can be explored concerning the
topic.

Recommendations address limitations and suggest how they might be overcome in

future work or researches.

The basic structure of a typical research paper is the sequence of Introduction, Methods,
Results, and Discussion (sometimes abbreviated as IMRAD).

Activity 5: Which is Which?

Directions: Read and understand the sample parts of a research report below. Label each part
with introduction, body, and conclusion.

The Effects of Food Insecurity in School Performance

Having a lower school Poverty and poor school Students who answered
performance later in life could performance are two problems that affirmatively in the surveys were
place these children as future keep children from reaching their consistently among the lower
parents in food-insecure full potential. Alongside poverty is performing members of their class
households, thus perpetuating the food insecurity, which affects Contrasted with their peers who
cycle. Solving the cyclical millions of households – and were not identified as
problem of poverty and school children – everyday. We wanted to socioeconomically disadvantaged
performance requires participation find out whether programs these students identified anxiety
from all stakeholders, including designed to reduce food insecurity about their next meal as one of the
schools, city governments, and for targeted children would top three concerns in their minds.
state and federal legislation that improve their school performance,
work to move following and therefore, give them a more
generations out of the cycle. successful start in life

1. _________________________ 2. _________________________ 3. _________________________

Activity 8: Check Your Understanding

Directions: Read each item carefully. Choose the letter of the correct answer and write it on
the space provided before each number.
 1. Which of the following choices states the role of Significance of the Study in a
research report?
A. It provides an overview of the scope of the research.
B. It discusses previous studies done on the chosen topic.
C. It cites the benefits one can get from the findings of the research.
D. It articulates what the writer intends to find out or achieve in the study.
2. Based on the statements below, what do you think did Jenny commit in doing her
research report?

Jenny is doing a research on COVID – 19 vaccines. She wants to find out what brand of
vaccine is effective without showing much side effects. In her discussion she used data from
previous researches but failed to recognize the source.

A. Phishing C. Fraud
B. Libel D. Plagiarism

3. What part of research report is shown in the box below?

If we cannot combat the ill effects that commercial farming has on our clean water, our
freshwater ecosystems and drinking water supplies will surely diminish. More research and
innovation are needed to maintain our clean water while still supporting the agricultural
needs of our economy.

A. Introduction C. Conclusion
B. Body D. Appendix

4. A Grade 10 student was asked by the teacher to submit a completed study that
reports an investigation or exploration of a problem by identifying questions to be addressed,
and includes data collected, analyzed and interpreted. What does the teacher actually want the
student to do?
A. Research Report C. Science Investigatory Project
B. Reflection Paper D. TV Documentaries

5. How will you use related studies to support or refute the findings in the body of
your research?
A. By using pictures, drawings and illustrations of data and information.
B. By incorporating the notes (summary, quote, and paraphrase) gathered in the
research.
C. By evaluating the results first of previous research before presenting the data or
information.
D. By referring the research to further studies stated in the recommendation.

6. What is the purpose of introduction in a research report?

 A. It catches the attention of the reader to read and presents the background
information.
B. It helps the reader in understanding the specific part in the research report.
C. It presents the exact solution to the problem and review about your research
topic.
D. It summarizes the whole content of your research study and connects it to the
objective.

7. How does Brief Background differ from Literature Review?

A. Brief Background tells the process of how the previous research is done while
Literature
review tells the results of the previous study.
B. Brief Background gives us hint of what the research is all about while Literature
Review gives
the background of the researcher’s experiences in doing the study.
C. Brief Background shows the results of the research while Literature Review
shows the process
of the research conducted.
D. Brief Background provides an overview of the scope of the research while
Literature Review
provides the discussion of previous studies done on the topic.

8. In which part of research report can you find the example below?

Due to the effect of malnutrition, the milk food production was committed to withstanding the infant
mortality problem. The product has soon created an inheritance of shared value while embedding within
their corporate business principles and values (Boyd, 2012) and became quite popular in Europe. As the
leading health, nutrition, and wellness company, it is delegated to elevating its business with an efficacious
and humble start.

A. Introduction C. Conclusion
B. Body D. Bibliography

9. Why do you need to conduct research report on relevant social issues?

A. It gives you ideas of how to deal with problems and issues you may face in the
future.
B. It shows the answers to all your queries by giving you correct information and
results.
C. It highlights some important details that will help you overcome problems in
your life.
D. It provides possible solutions to the problems in the society through a thorough
study.
10. Why do you need to have a good recommendation in your research report?
A. It highlights the results in the research and applies it to solve problems posed.
B. It suggests further exploration concerning the research topic and its limitations.
C. It provides future researchers the information they need for literature review.
D. It implies reliability and accuracy of the findings of the research conducted.
 ACTIVITY
SHEETS
in
ENGLISH 10
Quarter 4