Data Collection and GraphingDifficulty 2/5
Which of the following is written in observable and measurable terms?
- AStudent becomes frustrated during math
- BStudent is defiant toward staff
- CStudent pushes the worksheet off the desk with one or both hands
- DStudent does not want to participate
Show answer and rationale
Correct: C. An operational definition describes what can be seen and counted by any observer. Pushing the worksheet off the desk is observable; frustration, defiance and wanting are inferences about private states.
- A — 'Frustrated' is an inferred emotional state, not an observable action.
- B — 'Defiant' is a label that different observers would score differently.
- D — 'Does not want to' describes a motive, not a behavior.