DEFINITION OF

TERMS
 DEFINITION OF TERMS

 Terms or concepts that you use should be defined

and explained unless they are familiar or obvious.
 Refer to authoritative sources for definitions.
 Operational or conceptual definition of the terms
that are found in the study, including other unusual
and technical terms.
The Definition of Terms has
two types:

a. Dictionary-derived
/Conceptual definitions
b. Operational definitions
Conceptual definition-
tells you what the concept
means.

Operational Definition –
Tells how the words were
used in the study
Example: Conceptual Definition
Phytochemicals. A substance found in
certain plants which is believed to be beneficial
to human health and help prevent various
diseases.
Example: Operational Definition
Aroma. In this study, it refers to acceptability
of the smell of pasta noodles.
Guidelines in Defining Terms:
1.Only terms, words or phrases which have
special or unique meaning in the study are
defined.
2.Terms should be defined operationally (How
they are used in the study)
3.The researcher may develop his own definition
from the characteristics of the term defined.
GUIDELINES IN DEFINING TERMS

4. Definitions may be taken from encyclopedias,

books, magazines and newspaper articles,
dictionaries and other publications.
5.Definitions should be as brief, clear and
unequivocal as possible.
Acronyms should be spelled out fully especially
if it is not commonly known or if it used for the
first time