Technical Definition

Technical definition is a very detailed description of a term, process or phenomenon. When preparing a
document many times the writer has to use some term that might be unknown to the audience, but is an
essential to understand the author's idea. The length of the definition depends on the complexity of the term
and the audience for which is designed.

Example A: Definition of pigment.

A pigment is any substance that absorbs light. The color of the pigment comes from the wavelengths of light
reflected (in other words, those not absorbed). Chlorophyll, the green pigment common to all photosynthetic
cells, absorbs all wavelengths of visible light except green, which it reflects to be detected by our eyes. Black
pigments absorb all of the wavelengths that strike them. White pigments/lighter colors reflect all or almost all of
the energy striking them. Pigments have their own characteristic absorption spectra, the absorption pattern of a
given pigment.

Example B: Definition of alternation of generations.

The regular alternation of forms or of mode of reproduction in the life cycle of an organism, such as the
alternation between diploid and haploid phases, or between sexual and asexual reproductive cycles. Also
called metagenesis, xenogenesis.

Example C: Definition of photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis is the fundamental process that maintains life on earth. Living cells convert food into energy
and structural components. Almost all organisms derive this food, directly or indirectly, from the organic
compounds formed within plants during photosynthesis. The stored energy in these compounds is essential for
growth, repair, reproduction, movement, and other vital functions. Without photosynthesis, not only would
replenishment of the fundamental food supply halt, but the earth would eventually become devoid of oxygen.

Example D: WHAT IS A COLORIMETER

A colorimeter is a machine that measures the way an object either reflects or transmits light across the visible
spectrum, and records the values which correlate with the way the human eye sees color. There are two types
of colorimeters: the tristimulus colorimeter and the spectrophotometric colorimeter. Colorimeters usually
consist of two main parts: the optical sensor, which contains the light source and the micro-processor, which
automatically converts the colors to numeric equations.

Example E.

Cathedral – Cathedral serves as the central church of the diocese of a Christian church
hunchback- a person with a humpback.
Operational Definitions

An operational definition is a detailed specification of how one would go about measuring a given variable.
Operational definitions can range from very simple and straightforward to quite complex, depending on the
nature of the variable and the needs of the researcher. Operational definitions should be tied to the theoretical
constructs under study. The theory behind the research often clarifies the nature of the variables involved and,
therefore, would guide the development of operational definitions that would tap the critical variables.

For example, an operational definition of weight could be: how much a spring stretches when you hang
something from it, or how many pennies it takes to balance the weight of something. All psychological
concepts and labels, like learning, memory, motivation, personality, etc, are theoretical concepts, which cannot
be measured directly.

For example, the operational definition of temperate is how much a column or mercury or red colored alcohol
expands in a thin tube put in the thing whose temperature you want to measure. In 1714 Gabriel Fahrenheit
defined 0 as the temperature at which a concentrated mixture of salt and water freezes and +96 as the
temperature of the human body. In 1741 Anders Celsius defined 0 degrees as the freezing point of pure water
and +100 degrees as the boiling point of of pure water at standard ("sea level") pressure, the scale that most of
the world outside the US uses.

Example Attributes

Characteristic of interest: Number of black spots per radiator grill.

Measuring instrument: The observation will be performed with the naked eye (or with corrective lenses if
normally worn), under the light available in the work station (in 100% working
order, i.e., no burned-out bulbs).

Method of test: The number of black spots per radiator grill will be counted by taking samples at
the work station. The sample should be studied at a distance of 18 inches
(roughly half an arm’s length) from the eye. Only the top surface of the grill is to
be examined.

Decision criteria: Wipe the top surface of the grill with the palm of your hand and look for any black
specks embedded in the plastic. Any observed black speck of any size counts as
a black spot.

Example Variables

Characteristic of interest: Diameter of 48 inch rod

Measuring instrument: Micrometer

Method of test: The sample size is n=3. Measure 3 rods every hour. When the grinder releases
the rod, take one measurement each at 8" down, 24" down, and 40" down from
the notched end. Tighten the micrometer as much as possible. Record to 4
decimal points. If the fifth number to the right of the decimal point is 5 or higher,
round the fourth number up one.