SHS

Practical Research 2
Quarter 1 – Module 10
Definition of Terms

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Practical Research 2 – SHS

Quarter 2 – Module 10: Definition of Terms

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Regional Director: Gilbert T. Sadsad

Assistant Regional Director: Jessie L. Amin

Development Team of the Module

Writer: JOJIM B. CORDOVA, MT 2, Ligao National HS
Editor: LILLI ANN O. HERMOGENES, EPS Mathematics, SDO-Ligao City
Reviewer: DIOLETA B. BORAIS, EPS Mathematics, SDO-Tabaco City
LOYD H. BOTOR, EPS Mathematics, RO-Bicol

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I. Title of Material/Introduction:
In this module, you will be required to define terms whether conceptually
or operationally. This will give light to queries regarding your study. Activities
are provided in order to strengthen the mastery of the topic. You are also
encouraged to submit any outputsto your teacher depending on the agreed
manner of submission. The final outputs in this module are theconceptual and
operational definitions of the terms used in the study.

II. Objectives:
Upon completion of this module, the learners are able to:
• define terms used in the study.

III. Vocabulary List

1. Conceptual definition - a definition that tells what a concept means in
abstract or theoretical terms
2. Operational definition –a definition that links a concept to the concrete
world by telling how to observe and / or measure the concept.

IV. Pre-Test:

Multiple Choice:
Instructions: Read each item carefully. Choose the letter of the best answer.

1. Which is TRUE about the definition of terms section of a research

paper?
A. Definitions must only be taken from a dictionary
B. Terms being defined must be arranged alphabetically
C. Terms being defined must be taken from the abstract
D. All are true
2. Terms may be defined operationally or conceptually or both.
A. True
B. False
C. Maybe
D. Can’t be decided
3. Which is NOT TRUE about the definition of terms section of a research
paper?
A. Definitions may be taken from a dictionary
B. Terms being defined must be arranged alphabetically
C. Terms being defined may be taken from the title and statement of
the problem.
D. None of These

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 4. Which of the following should be done last in writing definition of
terms?

A. Organize the terms alphabetically.

B. Choose a format in writing the Definition of Terms section.
C. Provide the definition whether taken from a source or based on how
the term will be utilized in the study.
D. Determine the terms to be defined. Make a list of these terms. Take
the terms from your statement of the problem.

5. Which of the following is an example of conceptual definition?

A. Intelligence Quotient refers to a number representing a person's
reasoning ability (measured using problem-solving tests) as
compared to the statistical norm or average for their age, taken as
100.
B. In this study, behavior refers to the compliance of students to
school policies.
C. Attendance in this study is referred to as the number of times the
student attended class for SY 2019-2020.
D. Adaptability refers to the ability of introduced species of plant to a
controlled environment situated within the vicinity of the school.

V. Learning Activities:

Activity 1: Keywords

Instruction: List down the term/s or phrase/s that make up your research
title and statement of the problem.

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DEFINITION OF TERMS

This section of research paper sets the parameters how terms are to be
utilized in the study. There are terms which are easily understood, there are
terms which are new to readers, and there are terms which are coined terms.
This section of your research paper must clearly include the definition
whether conceptually or operationally. It is done in order to avoid ambiguous
meaning which may lead to misunderstanding or misinterpretation. The
reader must clearly know how these terms are utilized in the study. Unfamiliar
words must be made familiar. One word may be another word for other
readers. For instance, in your study you used ‘students’ performance’ as the
final grade in Mathematics for this school year, but another study defined this
as the score in their achievement test. You may take the definition of the term
as is or make your own definition depending on how it was used in the study.
A formal definition may also be given. You may take it from a dictionary or
from any other reliable sources.
Jananey Kalaivahnai defined conceptual definition as a definition that tells
what a concept means in abstract or theoretical terms while an operational
definition links a concept to the concrete world by telling you how to observe
and / or measure the concept. She provided this example. High self esteem
might be conceptually defined as a person demonstrating a high degree of
self worth. Operationally, you might define it as scoring above a certain
number of a self-esteem scale.

How to write the “Definition of Terms”?

• Determine the terms to be defined. Make a list of these

1 terms. Take the terms from your statement of the problem.

• Provide the definition whether taken from a source or based

2 on how the term will be utilized in the study.

• Choose a format in writing the Definition of Terms section.

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• Organize the terms alphabetically.

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Sample format in defining terms

1. In this research, the term ___________ is used to mean

______________________________________________________.
In this study, the term ______________ is defined as
_______________________________________________________.
In this paper, the term ____________ refers to
______________________________________________________.
In this research, the term ________________ is defined as
________________________________________________________

2. Term A – definition
Term B – definition
Term C - definition
Term D – definition
Term E – definition

3. Term A. In this study, this refers to

_______________________________________________________.
Term B. In this paper, this refers to
_______________________________________________________.
Term C. In this research, this defined as
_______________________________________________________.
Term D. In this study, this means
________________________________________________________

Tips in writing Definition of Terms

1. Define terms briefly and make it familiar.

2. Avoid restating the words.
3. Always observe three components in the definition (term, class,
differentiating characteristics).
4. Keep class component small but adequate.
5. Avoid restating the word as part of its definition.

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 Activity 2: Writing Definition of Terms

Instructions: List down all the terms that need to be defined in your
study. Refer to activity 1. Apply the format of your choice. Then define it. See to
it that the terms are in alphabetical order.

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VI. Post- Test:
Multiple Choice:
Instructions: Read each item carefully. Choose the letter of the best answer.

1. Which is NOT TRUE about the definition of terms section of a research

paper?
A. Definitions may be taken from a dictionary
B. Terms being defined must be arranged alphabetically
C. Terms being defined may be taken from the title and statement of
the problem.
D. None of These
2. Which of the following should be followed in defining terms in
research?
i. Define terms briefly and make it familiar.
ii. Avoid restating the words.
iii. Keep class component small but adequate.
iv. Avoid restating the word as part of its definition.

A. i and ii only
B. i, ii, and iii only
C. i, ii, iii, and iv
D. none of these

3. The following are the three components in a definition EXCEPT:

A. Class
B. Differentiating characteristics
C. State
D. Term

4. Which of the following should be done first in writing definition of

terms?

A. Organize the terms alphabetically.

B. Choose a format in writing the Definition of Terms section.
C. Provide the definition whether taken from a source or based on how
the term will be utilized in the study.
D. Determine the terms to be defined. Make a list of these terms. Take
the terms from your statement of the problem.

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 5. Which of the following definitions is an operational definition?

A. In this study, performance refers to the final grade in practical

research 1 of students for school year 2019-2020
B. Temperature refers to the degree or intensity of heat present in a
substance or object, especially as expressed according to a
comparative scale and shown by a thermometer or perceived by
touch.
C. Perception pertains to the ability to see, hear, or become aware of
something through the senses.
D. Family is a group consisting of parents and children living together
in a household.

VII. Assignment
Finalize with your groupmates the definition of terms for your study, and then
submit it to your teachers.

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 Answer Key
Pre-Test:
1. B 2. A 3. D 4. A 5. A
Activity 1. Interpret It!
Answers may vary. A contextualized rubric must be crafted to assess students’
outputs.

Activity 2. Conceptual Framework

Answers may vary. A contextualized rubric must be crafted to assess

students’ output.

Post- Test:
1. D 2. C 3. C 4. D 5. A
Assignment
The teacher should facilitate the submission of the outputs. Rubrics should
also be contextualized in grading the students’ outputs.

References
Violeta L. Jerusalem, et al. Practical Research 2: Exploring Quantitative
Research First edition, Fastbook Educational Supply Inc. Philippines, 2017.
Faltado III, Ruben E., et al. Practical Research 2 (Quantitative Research for
SHS). Lorimar Publishing Inc. Philippines, 2016.
https://www.scribbr.com/dissertation/conceptual-framework/, July 26, 2020
https://www.drjohnlatham.com/frameworks/research-methods-
framework/conceptual-framework/ July 26, 2020
https://www.eresearch101.today/2019/09/easy-guide-in-writing-conceptual.html
July 27, 2020.
https://www.quora.com/Whats-the-difference-between-conceptual-definition-and-
operational-definition August 31, 2020

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