Operational variables (or operationalizing definitions) refer to how you will define and measure a specific variable as it is used in your study. For example, if we are concerned with the effect of media violence on aggression, then we need to be very clear what we mean by the different terms.

How do you operationally define a variable example?

For example, if an experiment was conducted to test the effects of Vitamin E on endurance, the dependent variable being the person's endurance, might be operationally defined in ways such as: The distance a person could run without stopping. The number of hours a person could stay awake.

What is an example of an 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.