Final answer:
The term operational definition refers to precise statements that describe how to measure and observe a variable, ensuring consistency and replicability in research studies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term operational definition refers to statements that describe the specific measures that are used to record observations. An operational definition is essential for allowing accurate data collection and ensuring that other researchers can replicate the study. It provides a clear, precise, and systematic means of measuring a variable. For instance, in a research setting, operational definitions help in maintaining consistency and replicability by setting limits and establishing cut-off points, such as defining what constitutes a 'good' grade or specifying what 'tutoring' means in the context of the study.
Researchers strive to create operational definitions that are valid, appropriate, and meaningful, as well as reliable, such that different participants and researchers can understand and measure the variables in the same way. This approach aids in the collection of systematic and reliable data, which ultimately contributes to the validity of the study, effectively measuring what it was designed to measure.