What is an Operational Definition? LO26985

From: demingtw (demingtw@ms17.hinet.net)
Date: 07/11/01


Replying to LO26984 --

Dear At,

Thanks for answering my request. I agree with some of your key
"aphorisms" (or "truth") like "to learn is to create" ( in terms of
Piaget, it is " to understand is to create".) But it is obvious that your
terms of operational definition is different from mine. ( By the way,
Operational Research might not be directly connected with "operational
definitions" but your points are very interesting since I am a student of
it by training but I was not a good student then.)

Now I understand your reasoning 'style' better. For the time being, I
recommend the interested readers to read chapter 9 of Out of the Crisis by
Dr. W. E. Deming for "Operational Definitions, Conformance, Performance".
Even the first 2 pages of it are worthwhile our efforts.

I quote his words:" ...Meaning starts with the concept, which is in
somebody's mind, and only there: it is ineffable. The only communicable
meaning of any word, prescription, instruction, specification, measure,
attribute, regulation, law, system, edict is the record of what happens on
application of a specified operation or test." (p. 276)

" Operational definitions are vital to layers, to government regulations,
vital to ( voluntary) industrial standards. For example, what is care?
What is due care?
 See Principle 4 in Ch. 17)

" Practice is more exacting than pure science; more exacting than
teaching...."
 p. 278)

Once again, I like to thank you and I hope some people to join this
"review' thread.

Hanching Chung

AM de Lange

> Hanching Chung <demingtw@ms17.hinet.net> writes in the
> Subject: What is THE problem? LO26959
>
> >Perhaps now is 'sometime' in your context.
> >Please kindly explain 'The truth sets you free' is
> >an operational definition instead of a language
> >game.
>
> Greetings dear Hanching,
>
> Your requirement "no language game" reminds me of a saying by
> Plato: "You can discover more of a person in one hour of play than
> in a year of conversation."

-- 

demingtw <demingtw@ms17.hinet.net>

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