Editing Operational definition (section)

== Overview ==
An operational definition is designed to model or represent a concept or [[theoretical definition]], also known as a construct. Scientists should describe the operations (procedures, actions, or processes) that define the concept with enough specificity such that other investigators can replicate their research.<ref>Stevens, S. S. (1935). The operational definition of psychological concepts. ''Psychological Review'' '''42''' (6): 517–518. [[doi:10.1037/h0056973]]. "Science is knowledge agreed upon by members of society. Only those constructs based upon operations which are public and repeatable are admitted to the body of science. ... A term or proposition has meaning (denotes something) if, and only if, the criteria of its applicability or truth consist of concrete operations which can be performed."</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=operational definition|url=https://dictionary.apa.org/|access-date=1 June 2021|website=APA Dictionary of Psychology|language=en}}</ref>

Operational definitions are also used to define system states in terms of a specific, publicly accessible process of preparation or validation testing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dictionary.com/browse/validation|title=the definition of validation|website=www.dictionary.com|language=en|access-date=2018-10-01}}</ref> 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.<ref>Vandervert, L. (1988). Operational definitions made simple, useful, and lasting. In M. Ware & C. Brewer (Eds.), Handbook for teaching statistics and reseas (pp.&nbsp;132–134). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. (Original work published 1980)</ref>