An operational definition specifies concrete, replicable procedures designed to represent a construct. In the words of American psychologist S.S. Stevens, "An operation is the performance which we execute in order to make known a concept."

What is an operational definition example?

An operational definition is designed to model or represent a concept or theoretical definition, also known as a construct. ... For example, 100 degrees Celsius may be operationally defined as the process of heating water at sea level until it is observed to boil. A cake can be operationally defined by a cake recipe.

What is meant by operational definition?

a description of something in terms of the operations (procedures, actions, or processes) by which it could be observed and measured. For example, the operational definition of anxiety could be in terms of a test score, withdrawal from a situation, or activation of the sympathetic nervous system.