Giving

Technical and
Operational
Definitions
Quarter 4 – Module 2
Review: From the pool of words below, pick one word and then
recall its meaning.

research abstract
respondents hypothesis variable

Primary/secondary sources
Definitions: Technical
and Operational
 Objectives
At the end of the lesson, you are
expected
0 give technical and to:
operational definitions
1 of words;

draw the similarities and differences of

02 technical and operational definitions
using a Venn diagram.
 Pretest. Choose the letter of the best
answer. Write on your notebook
1. Which of the following terms provides a very detailed
description of terms, process, or phenomenon?
A. Technical Definition C. Operational Definition
B. Expanded Definition D. Parenthetical Definition

2. What kind of definition does a writer utilize when he defines

the term based on how it is used in his academic paper?
A. Technical C. Operational
B. Expanded D. Conceptual
3. Vein is any of the tubes forming part of the blood
circulation system of the body, carrying in most cases oxygen
depleted blood toward the heart. What type of
definition is presented in the statement?
A. Technical Definition C. Operational Definition
B. Expanded Definition D. Parenthetical Definition

4. Which of the following does NOT belong to the group?

A. Sentence Definition C. Operational Definition
B. Expanded Definition D. Parenthetical Definition
5. Which of the following statements is TRUE about
operational definitions?
A. Operational definitions are important only in
experimental research.
B. Operational definitions are important when planning
for a military operation.
C. Operational definitions determine the meaning of a
variable in a particular study.
D. Operational definitions should always follow the
guidelines outlined in the APA publication manual.
 Learning how to define a term is
important because it enables us to
accurately and properly describe the
meaning of an unfamiliar word. Definition
of terms is also a part of the research
paper which will ensure that the readers
will understand the components of the
study in the way that a researcher will
be presenting them in the paper.
In this lesson, you will be acquainted with
two types of definitions, the
technical definition and the operational
definition.
Activity: Scavenger Hunt
1. Use an actual dictionary, a mobile dictionary, or
search engine (e.g., Google, Bing, and Safari) to
search for the meaning of the underlined words
in each of the
following sentences.

2. Define the underlined words based on how

they are used in the sentences.
1.Teacher: Get 1/4 sheet of paper and then write your answer.
2. Laundry Worker: Take the sheets off your bed, so I can wash them.
3. Chef: I cut vegetables on the cutting board.
4. Job Applicant: He offered me P2,000 a week plus room and board.
5. Electrician: Which wire should I cut, the red one or the white one?
6. Farmer: I fenced my land with wire.
7. Baker: I make a superb filling for cakes and sponges.
8. Fisherman: When we first capture a live sponge from the sea it has
a slimy, dirty appearance, and is very heavy.
9. Tourist: I made the booking through a travel agent.
10. Chemist: I used chlorine bleach as the whitening agent of this
detergent.
 Answer the following questions
for discussion:
1. What have you observed about the underlined words?

2. What have you observed about the definitions that you

have found?
ambiguity-
the state of not 3. Suppose that the speakers were not identified
being
according to their jobs, do you think there would be
expressed or
understood any ​ambiguity​with the message that the following
clearly statements would like to convey?
Establishing knowledge through
definition is not just important, but it is
very crucial when you write. When you
define a certain terminology, make sure
that it is clear and concise and be certain
that nothing is lost in translation. You
do not want your readers to be left
questioning what you meant by your
claims.
DEFINITION

Merriam Webster Dictionary gives its simplest

meaning of the word definition as “a
statement of the meaning of a word or a group
of words, or a symbol”. In other words, a
definition explains through clarification and
further explanation. It gives the essence of
the word being defined.
TYPES OF DEFINITION
1. TECHNICAL DEFINITION is an
explanation or description of a word that
is used in specific ways in different fields.
It tends to be abstract, conceptual, or
theoretical. It is essential in any academic
or research paper.
Study the technical definitions of the word
base based on the different fields.
military a place where there are military buildings and
weapons and where members of the armed
forces live
sports one of the four positions on a square that a
player must reach to score a point in the game of
baseball
Mathematics the number on which a counting system is built

Chemistry a chemical that dissolves in water and combines

with an acid to create a salt
Look at the technical definition of ​
operation ​based on
different
General fields
a seriesof study:
of actions that are done in a certain
way or order
Medical a clinical procedure involving a patient and a
doctor
Military a mission with specific goals and objectives

Computer a set of instructions for a computer that has a

name by which it can be called into action
Kinds of Technical
Definitions
Parenthetical Definition

Sentence Definition

Extended Definition
a. Parenthetical Definition
Compliments (praises)
A short explanation of a word are often used by
that needs clarification but is teachers to motivate
not the focus of the their students.
document/ paper you are
writing. The definition can be
a synonym or a phrase that is
placed after the word being The word ​praises ​serves
defined. as the parenthetical
definition for the word ​
compliments​.
Example:

Dionysiana (a collection of
conciliar canons and papal
decretals) was enforced
throughout the kingdom.
b. Sentence Definition
More formal and longer than parenthetical definition
because the definition of a word does not only use words
or phrases but uses sentences. This is usually seen in a
glossary, within the text, or in margin notes.
To write a sentence definition, a pattern or format must
be used to allow the reader to compare the word to
terms they may already know, while also understanding
how it differs from those words, which improves
comprehension.
A compliment is a remark
or an action that states
something good about In the given sentence, the
someone or something to word being defined is ​
compliment​; the category is
express admiration or “a remark
commendation. or an action,” and its
distinguishing feature is
that it states something
good about someone or
something to express
admiration or
commendation.
Study the examples of sentence
definitions
Term Being
below:
Class Distinguishing Feature
Defined Category
Heart is an organ that pumps blood through the
body
Scissors are instruments that are used to cut items, such
as paper
A hoyden is a girl who is boisterous and bold

A kickshaw is food served as an appetizer and is

usually a delicacy
c. Extended definitions
The longest version of definition. It is the
longest version of definition because it
expands into few sentences to several pages
long. It is used when a term must be explained
in detail.
Compliments may be expressed in various forms. One
of the most common ways of expressing compliments is
by saying words such as “Good job!” or “Keep it up!” One
may also choose to compliment someone to motivate
him or her even when the work
done is less than perfect. This can be done by saying
something like, “I love how hard you are trying” or “I
really admire your patience and the effort you put into
this.

The given paragraph explains the term ​

compliments​by giving examples.
TYPES OF DEFINITION
2.OPERATIONAL DEFINITION describes how to
measure or recognize a particular term, idea,
variable, object, phenomenon, or condition. It
tells what to do or what to observe. The word
operational means describing what to do in a
certain context. Thus, the operational definition
must be concrete, clear, and precise so the
reader knows exactly what to observe or
measure.
A simpler way to look at the operational
definition is that it states how the term is
used in a particular study. For
example, if you are doing a research about
the motivation of XYZ University
students to go to their classes and
complete their coursework, you would
need to define the term motivation
based on how it is going to be measured
in your study.
Kinds of Operational
Definition
1. Type A Operational Definition. This type of operational definition can be
constructed by stating the operations or actions​that need to be
performed in order to cause a ​phenomenon ​or state to occur.
Motivation is achieved by presenting an individual with appealing
reasons to do a particular action.

2. Type B Operational Definition. This type of operational definition can be

constructed by describing how a particular thing operates​.

In this study, motivation is defined as the constant attendance of XYZ

students in their classes as well as their submission of class requirements
as measured by the number of days they attend class as well as the
requirements they are able to submit before or on the deadline.
3. Type C Operational Definition. This type can
be constructed by stating what a phenomenon
or object looks like​. This involves stating its
static characteristics.
Motivation is the tendency of an individual to
do a thing repeatedly in order to achieve a
certain outcome
To better understand the difference between
technical and operational definitions, consider
the following examples:
The technical definition of the word automobile may be
“a four-wheeled automotive vehicle designed to transport
passengers or goods”. If you notice, this definition is in
technical sense. It includes the details of an automobile
that make it functional, a four-wheeled automotive.
While its operational definition, “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” includes
information from the real world.
 Word Technical Operational
Financial According to World Bank (2013a), The financial capability of
Capability is an internal capacity to act in the respondents refers to
one’s best financial interest, given their average score on a 12-
socio-economic environmental item Likert-scale.
conditions.

Computer It is a device or machine used in It is something used in

performing assessing, evaluating, doing homework or
and following command set by browsing the internet.
the user.

Middle class The economic group between the People in the middle class
upper and lower classes, are those whose monthly
including professional and incomes range around
business workers and their ₱24,000 and ₱145,000.
families.
How well did I
understand the
lesson?
Activity 1. Identify whether the given statement uses a technical
definition or an operational definition. Write TD or OD.

1. Overweight is a condition when a woman reaches 150

lbs. and 160 lbs. for men.
2. Recluse refers to a person who avoids people and
lives alone.
3. Vagabond refers to a wanderer / traveler.
4. Vagabond is a hobo, drifter or a tramp who wanders
around without employment or income.
5. King refers to a male sovereign who usually inherits
his position and rules for life.
6. Intelligence is the person’s score on the
Standard-Binet Intelligence Test.
7. Thirst is distressful feeling after twenty-four
hours or more without access to water.
8. A virus is a microorganism that is smaller
than a bacterium that cannot grow or
reproduce apart from a living cell.
9. Guilt refers to the score on a self-reported
guilt on a scale of 1-10.
10. Stab (1990) defines a successful environment
and allows children to engage in meaningful
literacy experiences.
ACTIVITY 2. PAIRWORK. Using a dictionary (actual or mobile)
or search engine (e.g., Google, Bing, and Safari) Search for
technical definitions of the following words in the context of
the field given in brackets.
1. {Religion} LOVE
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

2. {Psychology} DEPRESSION
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
ACTIVITY 3. Provide an Operational definition for each of
the following words

1. Inspiration
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

2. Passed ( on the context of school promotion)

____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

3. Obesity
____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
What Have I Learned? In your own words,
compare technical and operational definitions using Venn
diagram.

further explanation
Explains through
 Abstract  Concrete

clarification and
 Conceptual  Clear
 Theoretical  Precise
 Definition according
 Definition
to usage in specific
from experts context or situation

TECHNICAL OPERATIONAL
DEFINITION DEFINITION
 DAY 2
Definitions: Technical
and Operational
 Objectives
At the end of the lesson, you are
expected
0 give technical and to:
operational definitions
1 of words;

write technical and operational definitions

02 of words.
Review: Tell whether the given statement about
Technical and Operational definitions is True or
False.
FALSE 1. A Technical definition gives observable and
measurable descriptions.
TRUE
2. A Technical definition is given by an expert in the
field which can be sited as a source.
FALSE 3. A Technical definition tells you what to do.
4. An Operational definition gives concrete and
TRUE
clear descriptions.
FALSE 5. An Operational definition is usually theoretical
and conceptual.
 Tell whether the definition is Technical or
Operational
TECHNICAL 1. A Definition.
bug is a condition in a program which causes the
program to behave in a way that deviates from its
specifications by producing erroneous behavior or
violating some other constraint.
OPERATIONAL 2. Self- supporting students are students who work three
or more hours a day to provide their own needs.
3. Reservoir rock is a type of rock that has sufficient
TECHNICAL porosity and permeability to allow gas and oil to
accumulate and be produced in commercial quantities.
4. Academic performance refers to the student's score in
the post test.
OPERATIONAL 5. Thirst is a distressful feeling caused by a desire or need
for water.
OPERATIONAL
Study the following Technical definitions
and explain how they are written; Is there
a certain pattern followed?
a. An astronaut is a person who travels in the earth’s
surface.
b. A laboratory is a place where scientific tests and
experiments are conducted .
c. Aggression is a behavior that is intended to injure.
d. Egoism is a moral condition in which an individual
takes his or her interest to be more important than
others.
Guidelines in Writing
Technical Definition:
1. Identify the 3. Identify its
category a term functions.
belongs in.

2. Identify its 4. State what it

distinct parts and is not.
characteristics.
Here is an example of a
Technical definition of the word ​
smartphone​
A smartphone is. a cell phone (a
mobile telephone) that has
additional software functions
such as applications, a camera,
email, or an internet browser.
Study the following Operational definitions
and explain how they are written.
1. The fastest ball is the one that crosses the
finish line before all the other balls.

2. Weight is the amount of force (pull) the Earth

has on objects and can be determined with a
spring by measuring the length the spring
stretches when an object is attached.
Guidelines in Writing
Operational Definitions
1. Identify the means of measuring
the term based on the study you
are conducting.
2. Identify what can be done to
cause the phenomenon to occur or
to induce a particular state.
3. State how the thing works or how
the phenomenon functions.
4. Describe the object or
phenomenon.
Here is an example of the Operational definition of the
Chat – To communicate in real-time on
word ​chat: a
computer network using keyed messages.
A person chatting with another person or
group of people on the network keys in a
message and wait for the other party to
key in a response. As one person keys in
a message, the other participants can
usually see the characters appear on their
screen immediately.
Activity . Define the following terms
using technical and operational
definition.
TERMS TECHNICAL Definition OPERATIONAL Definition

1. Data

2. Modules

3. Stress

4. Guilt

5. Fatigue
What I Have Learned
3, 2, 1 GO…!
3 - Important words you learned by heart in this module:
__________________, __________________,
____________________

2 - Adjectives describing the worth of this topic:

__________________, __________________

1 - Question you want to ask about this topic:

___________________________________________________
_______?
 DAY 3
Definitions: Technical
and Operational
 Objectives
At the end of the lesson, you are
expected
0 give technical and to:
operational definitions
1 of words;

answer the 10-item post test.

02
Checking of
Activity
Sheet
Quiz no.2 Write the letter of the
correct answer.
1. In an article that you are reading, you come across a sentence that explains a
certain term. How can you identify whether it is a sentence definition or just a
part of an extended definition?
A. If it is in the glossary, then it is part of an extended definition.
B. A sentence definition cannot be a part of an extended definition.
C. If it is followed by more sentences, then it is part of an extended definition.
D. If the next few sentences continue to expand on the word's meaning, then it
is part of an extended definition.

2. What part of a sentence definition is the underlined word in the given definition
below?
Recluse refers to a person who avoids people and lives alone.
A. term B. verb C. class/category D. distinguishing feature
3. What is the general class in the definition below?
Chemistry is a science that deals with the properties of matter.
A. that B. a science C. Chemistry D. deals with the properties
of matter

4. Form a definition out of the given phrases in the box. Choose the best
arrangement.

1. a capital punishment 4. death penalty

2. imposed on a person 5. is called
3. found guilty of major crimes against persons and property

A. 45123 B. 45132 C. 15423 D. 15432

5. Form a definition out of the given phrases in the box.
Choose the best arrangement.

1. can be defined as 4. any act

2. terrorism 5. that
3. uses force, violence, or threat to demoralize or intimidate

A. 45123 B. 21453 C. 25143 D.45213

Identify whether the given statement uses a technical
definition or an operational definition. Write TD or OD.
6. Acids are substances that cause the litmus paper to turn pink.
7. Pulse is the regular expansion and contraction of an artery caused
by the heart pumping blood through the body.
8. Weight refers to the measurement of gravitational force acting on
an object.
9. Working women are women who are employed in full time or
parttime and are receiving for at least P25,000 as monthly salary.
10. Extensive reading is a program wherein a learner reads at least 10
books every week for comprehension.
PREPARED
BY:
ANNIE A.
GEDO CRUZ
English Teacher,
BNAHS
 References
Formilles, Noemi D. Quarter 4 – Module 2: Giving
Technical and Operational Definitions.
Department of Education – Schools Division Office of
Makati City, 2020.

Grade 10 Unit 12: Definitions: Technical and Operational.

Study Guide. Quipper Limited, 2018.
Thanks!
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