Technical and Operational Definition

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What is a Technical Definition?

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A Technical Definition provides a precise and formal explanation of a term, often using specific measurements or criteria.

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What is an Operational Definition?

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An Operational Definition describes how a concept is measured or identified in practical terms, often through observable behaviors or outcomes.

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Give an example of an Operational Definition for stress.

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Stress can be operationally defined as the level of cortisol in the blood or the score on a stress survey.

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Give an example of a Technical Definition for blood pressure.

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Blood pressure is technically defined as the force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels, measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).

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What is the difference between Technical and Operational Definitions?

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Technical Definitions focus on precise, formal criteria, while Operational Definitions focus on practical measurement and observable outcomes.

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How is intelligence operationally defined?

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Intelligence is operationally defined as the score a person achieves on an IQ test.

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What is an example of a Technical Definition in physics?

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In physics, velocity is technically defined as the rate of change of displacement with respect to time.

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What is an example of an Operational Definition for happiness?

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Happiness can be operationally defined as the number of times a person smiles in an hour.

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Why are Operational Definitions important in research?

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Operational Definitions are important because they allow researchers to measure and quantify abstract concepts, making them easier to study.

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What is a common misconception about Technical Definitions?

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A common misconception is that Technical Definitions are always more accurate than Operational Definitions; both serve different purposes.