Operational Definition for mouthwash experiment
Operational Definition for mouthwash experiment
I am trying to figure out what my "operational definition" is for my experiement. I am going to test 4 different mouthwashes with different ingredients to see which kills the most bacteria. I will swab and put them on petry dishes, etc. I am filling out a form for class that asks about my operational definition and I'm not sure what that really means.
Hi kakaiser!
First of all, make sure you understand the meaning of an operational definition: basically, it is a description of an experimental procedure for the translation of a variable into measurement or numeric value. It is a detailed definition of a measure and is used to remove ambiguity and ensure all data collectors have the same understanding. More information can be found on this website: http://www.qualityadvisor.com/sqc/od_what.php.
See if this helps any.
-Willz
First of all, make sure you understand the meaning of an operational definition: basically, it is a description of an experimental procedure for the translation of a variable into measurement or numeric value. It is a detailed definition of a measure and is used to remove ambiguity and ensure all data collectors have the same understanding. More information can be found on this website: http://www.qualityadvisor.com/sqc/od_what.php.
See if this helps any.
-Willz
Here's another website that explains an operational definition and gives some examples. I don't think you need to read through the whole thing, just the introduction and the examples.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operational_definition
I think that what an operational definition asks for is the part of the procedure that "defines" the results-- the example is that the act of putting an object on a scale and seeing what number that gives tells you the object's weight. Although you might, in a full procedure, need to find an object first and perhaps modify it depending on exactly what you are weighing, these actions will not tell you what the weight of the object is.
You might ask yourself, "What is/ are the necessary step(s) in my project that will tell me what my results are?"
Post back if things are still unclear afterward.
Sonia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operational_definition
I think that what an operational definition asks for is the part of the procedure that "defines" the results-- the example is that the act of putting an object on a scale and seeing what number that gives tells you the object's weight. Although you might, in a full procedure, need to find an object first and perhaps modify it depending on exactly what you are weighing, these actions will not tell you what the weight of the object is.
You might ask yourself, "What is/ are the necessary step(s) in my project that will tell me what my results are?"
Post back if things are still unclear afterward.
Sonia