Module 2: technical and operational definitions

Question 1

It is a very detailed description of a term, process or phenomenon.
When preparing a document many times the writer has to use some terms that might be
unknown to the audience but is essential to understand the author’s idea.

Answer 1

TECHNICAL DEFINITION

Question 2

How do we write technical definitions?

Answer 2

• Parenthetical Definitions
• Sentence Definitions
• . Extended Definitions

Question 3

Parenthetical Definitions – often you can define a term by using a more familiar synonym
in parenthesis.

Example: As the horse came around the corner, it started to trot (jog).
The viscosity (thickness) of the syrup made it difficult to pour.

Answer 3

Parenthetical Definitions

Question 4

Extended Definitions – long, paragraph definitions that consider all of the various sources
of information (e.g. description, process narration, causal discussion, and classification) that
can help define the term adequately; preferably used in academic and scientific paper

Answer 4

Extended Definitions

Question 5

Sentence Definitions – more complex terms may need a sentence definition (which may
be more than one sentence). Sentence definitions follow a set pattern…

Answer 5

Sentence Definitions

Question 6

is a statement that describes how a particular variable is to be
measured, or how an object or condition is to be recognized. It tells you what to do or what to observe.

Answer 6

OPERATIONAL DEFINITION