Operational definition

An operational definition describes exactly how a researcher measures or observes a concept so it can be studied systematically. For example, if studying "happiness," an operational definition might specify measuring happiness through a survey where participants rate their mood on a scale from 1 to 10. This ensures everyone understands and uses the same method to identify and measure the concept, making the study clear, consistent, and reproducible. Essentially, it turns abstract ideas into concrete, measurable actions or observations.