Content Standard The learners demonstrate understanding of the definition of terms as used in

the study
MODULE 7: DEFINITION OF TERMS
Performance Standard
Learning Competency
The learners should be able to define terms used in the study.
Defines terms used in the study.

INTRODUCTION

To be able to complete your research, it is necessary to define the terms you used in the study.
The definition of the key term will help clarify the purpose and direction of the study being conducted.
This module guides you in the operational definitions of terms.

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 WHAT I KNOW

Instruction: Answer what is being asked in the problem.

1. When the definition of the term is based on how it is used in the study, it is ____________.
2. When a term is defined using books and dictionaries then it is _______________________.

3-5: On the line provided, write OD, if the sentence defines the term operationally; CD, if it defines
the term conceptually.
_______ 3. Leadership approaches this refers to the approaches employed by the dean and which are
categorized as strategies, human assets, expertise, box, or change and reflected in the respondents’
answers measured by a Likert scale.
_______ 4. Study habits refer to the ways or activities an individual learns.
________5. Ethics a branch of philosophy that addresses questions of right or wrong. It is a term that
refers to the various ways of understanding and examining moral life.

OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this module, you should be able to:

1. Differentiate between conceptual definition and operational definition.

2. Identify terms defined conceptually and operationally.
3. Define the important terms used in the study.

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 LET’S INVESTIGATE!

OPENING ACTIVITY: Guess the Meaning

Identify at least three important technical terms in your research and list them down along with the title of
your study on a separate sheet of paper. Use the format below.

1. Term 1: _________________________
Meaning: _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Function in the study: ___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

2. Term 1: _________________________
Meaning: _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Function in the study: ___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

3. Term 1: _________________________
Meaning: _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Function in the study: ___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

WHAT SHOULD I KNOW?

The important terms used in the study must be defined clearly. Some of these terms appear in the
thesis title, statement of the problem, theoretical paradigm, and in the scope and delimitation of the study.
Certain terms may refer to the respondents, subjects, and the variable and sub-variables. Defining the
different terms may be done conceptually or operationally. When a term is defined using books and
dictionaries then it is defined conceptually. On the other hand, when the definition of the term is based
on how it is used in the study, it is defined operationally. A combination of the two methods is often
helpful.
Terms that are defined must be arranged alphabetically. Moreover, before defining the enumerated
or listed terms there must be an opening sentence or an introductory paragraph.

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Examples:
A. Terms that are defined conceptually:
Drugs. These may refer to a substance or mixture of substances used to diagnosis, treatment, and
prevention of diseases or for the modification of physiological function or prevention of pregnancy and
which is incorporated in an official list (Chaudhurri,2003)
Ethics. A branch of philosophy that addresses questions of right or wrong. It is a term that refers
to the various ways of understanding and examining moral life (Mappes, 2002).
Nursing process. It is a systematic process of assessment, planning, and validation in the
practice of nursing through evidence-based on the scientific methods for observing, measuring and
gathering data, and analyzing the findings (Doenges, 2006).
Study habits. The ways or activities an individual learns.

B. Terms that are defined operationally:

Academic institution. Operationally defined as referring to the Asian Pacific College of
Advanced Studies where the nursing students are enrolled.
Leadership approaches. This refers to the approaches employed by the dean and which are
categorized as strategies, human assets, expertise, box, or change and reflected in the respondents’
answers measured by a Likert scale.
Leadership attributes. These pertain to the rating of deans in a questionnaire as to what they
consider to be the most important attribute or function of their position: personal integrity, willingness to
accept responsibility, understanding people, communication, selflessness, institutions, vision, decision-
making ability, or ability to simplify situations.
Leadership styles. These refer to the style of management practiced by the deans, which may
be autocratic or participative and measured by a Likert scale.
Study habits. As used in this research, these pertain to the routinary study methods utilized by
students like memorization, use of the internet, going to the library, and peer review.

C. Terms that are defined conceptually and operationally:

Eating disorders. A group of behaviors fueled by unresolved emotional conflicts, resulting in
altered food consumption (Grodner, 2005). As used in this study, it pertains to the kind of food,
frequency of eating, and amount of intake or consumption.
Nosocomial infection. It is a hospital-acquired infection (Smith, 2005). In this study, the
infections acquired in the hospitals are confined in the medical and pediatric wards, and operating rooms.
Personality. It refers to the total of the qualities and characteristics of a person as shown in
his/her manners such as walking, talking, dressing, acting, attitudes, interest, and ways of reacting to other
people, which are the manifestation of his/her behavior thoughts, and emotions.

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Example: How to write the definition of terms in the research study.
Definition of Terms
The following terms used in this study were operationally defined for purposes of clarity and
unity:
Achievement Level. This refers to students’ level of achievement in Trigonometry based on the
results of the pre-test and post-test. The students’ level of achievement was categorized using the
following scale: outstanding (24.1-30); above average (18.1-24); average (12.1- 18); below average (6.1-
12); and poor (0.1-6). For the three skills, the mean scores of both groups were categorized as:
Outstanding (8.1-10); Above Average (6.1-8); Average (4.1-6); Below Average (2.1-4); and Poor (0.1-2)
(Lastrollo, 2001).
Achievement Test. This refers to the instrument used in this study, a 30-item multiple-choice
teacher-made test constructed by the researcher to determine the students’ achievement in Trigonometry.
It was used as the pre-test and post-test administered to the control and experimental groups. Topics
covered were: solving right triangles, oblique triangles applying the law of cosines and law of sines
(Lastrollo, 2001).
Analysis. This refers to the skill of analyzing worded problems in solving right and oblique
triangles, one of the topics covered in the teacher-made test (Lastrollo, 2001).
CAI Software in Trigonometry (Compton’s, 1999). This refers to the software or program that
contains a lesson in Trigonometry made by Compton’s Learning Company used with a computer to help
the students learn the lessons and enhance the learning process. In this study, this was one of the
instruments used by the students as recommended to acquire mathematical skills such as computation,
comprehension, and analysis (Lastrollo, 2001).
Comprehension. This refers to the skill of understanding mathematical terms, concepts, and
applications in Trigonometry such as solving right triangles, oblique triangles applying the law of cosines,
and law sines(Lastrollo, 2001).
Computer-Assisted Instruction (CAI). This refers to the educational strategy in which
instructional contents, lessons or activities are delivered by the use of a computer and appropriate
feedback is provided in this particular study, this term is the strategy used by the research in teaching
Trigonometry Exclusively to the experimental group(Lastrollo, 2001).

WHAT I LEARNED

1-4: On the line provided, write OD, if the sentence defines the term operationally; TD, if it defines the
term theoretically or conceptually.
_______1. Academic institution refers to the Asian Pacific College of Advanced Studies where the
nursing students are enrolled.

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_______ 2. Leadership approaches this refers to the approaches employed by the dean and which are
categorized as strategies, human assets, expertise, box, or change and reflected in the respondents’
answers measured by a Likert scale.

_______3. Ethics a branch of philosophy that addresses questions of right or wrong. It is a term that refers
to the various ways of understanding and examining moral life
_______ 4. Study habits refer to the ways or activities an individual learns.
5. When the definition of the term is based on how it is used in the study, it is ____________.

WRITING

1. List down the important terms, concepts, and variables that need to be defined in your research
study based on your answers on items 1, 2, and 3. Define them conceptually and/or operationally
a. ___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
b. ___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
c. ___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
d. ___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
e. ___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

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 Score Rubrics

No main idea, no details, many incomplete sentences, many misspellings, incorrect grammar

Main idea is not clear. There are very few details, some incomplete sentences, some
misspellings, some problems with subject-verb agreement.

Main idea is presented. Details are not connected, very short/choppy sentences, few
misspellings, consistent subject-verb agreement but with tense.

Ideas are expressed clearly. Supported with details, consistent sentence structure, no misspelled
words, consistent but simple subject-verb agreement.

Central idea is well developed and clarity of thought is exhibited. Evidences and examples are
specific and vivid. Grammar is correct and sentence structure is easy to follow.

Assessment Rubrics for the Activity

Score Description
5 Demonstrates a complete understanding of the activity.
All requirements of the task are included in the response.
4 Demonstrates a considerable understanding of the activity.
All requirements of tasks are included.
3 Demonstrates a partial understanding of the activity.
Most requirements of tasks are included.
2 Demonstrates little understanding of the activity.
Many requirements of tasks are missing.
1 Demonstrates no understanding of the activity.
0 No response/task not attempted.

ANSWER KEY

Pre-test Post-test
1. defined operationally 1. OD
2. defined conceptually 2. OD
3. OD 3. CD
4. CD 4. CD
5. CD 5. defined operationally

REFERENCES:
Amadeo Pangilinan Cristobal, Jr., Ed.D., et.al., Practical Research 2 For Senior High School, C &
Publishing, Inc. 2017
Esther L. Baraceros, Practical Research 2, 1st Edition, Philippines copyright 2016.

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Marilou Z. Lastrollo, MAT, “Computer-Assisted Instruction: Its Effects in Teaching Trigonometry”,
(Unpublished Master’s Thesis, UNC, Naga City, March 2001).

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