How to Write the Definition of Terms

Not sure how to write the Definition of Terms in a research paper? You’re not alone. This section might seem simple, but it plays a huge role in keeping your readers on track. Whether you’re handling complex constructs or everyday words with unique meanings in your study, this is where you define them clearly and consistently.

In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how to write the Definition of Terms step by step, show you what to avoid, give you examples, and help you make this section strong, useful, and research-ready.

What Is the Definition of Terms?

The Definition of Terms is a section in Chapter 1 of a thesis or research paper. It clarifies key concepts, technical words, or context-specific terms used in your study.

What It Includes:

1. Technical or academic terms
2. Words with specific meaning in your study
3. Abbreviations, acronyms, and jargon
4. Variables or constructs you’re measuring

Why It Matters:

1. Removes ambiguity from technical, local, or research-specific terms
2. Helps readers understand the exact scope and meaning of your terms
3. Clarifies variables and constructs for better research accuracy
4. Strengthens your foundation for theory, analysis, and methodology

Define your terms in alphabetical order or by relevance. Keep each definition short, clear, and based on how it’s used in your study, not just a dictionary meaning.

Step-by-Step:: How to Write the Definition of Terms

PRE-WRITING STAGE: Before You Start Writing

Step 1: Scan Your Paper for Key Terms

Check the following for possible terms to define:

• Title
• Statement of the Problem
• Research Questions
• Objectives
• Hypotheses (if any)
• Research Instruments
• Conceptual/Theoretical Framework

What to include:

• Technical terms used in your field
• Acronyms or abbreviations
• Constructs or variables
• Local, cultural, or field-specific terms
• Terms with multiple possible meanings

Even everyday words like “performance”, “success”, or “social support” may need defining if they’re central to your study.

Step 2: Choose the Type of Definition

Use operational definitions, which means explaining how you are using each term in the context of your own study, not just what it means in general.

❌ Dictionary Style	✅ Operational Style
“Stress is a state of mental or emotional strain.”	“Stress in this study refers to the level of pressure perceived by college students, as measured using the Perceived Stress Scale.”

Other types of definitions to consider:

• Conceptual Definition – Theoretical meaning (from scholars)
• Operational Definition – How the term is measured/used in your research

Use operational definitions as your default. You can include the conceptual meaning if needed.

WRITING STAGE: Constructing the Section

Step 3: Decide on the Format

Pick the format based on the number of terms and their relationship:

A. Alphabetical List (Recommended)

• Clean, organized, easy to scan
• Ideal when you have 5 or more terms
• Write each term with its definition

B. Paragraph Format

• Good for 2–3 terms that are closely related
• Use one paragraph per term

Follow your university’s thesis manual or formatting guide.

Step 4: Follow This Writing Formula

[Term] (bold or italicized, based on your style guide):
Definition written clearly and briefly, showing how the term is used in the context of your study. Include tools, time frame, units, or population if applicable.

Example:

Motivation in this study refers to the internal drive of Grade 10 students to complete schoolwork, as measured by their responses to the 10-item Academic Motivation Questionnaire (AMQ).

Step 5: Add Context Where Needed

Don’t just define the term, define who, when, and how it applies.

Include	Examples
Timeframe	“…during the second semester of SY 2024–2025”
Population	“…among senior high school students in urban public schools”
Tool/Scale Used	“…measured using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)”

Step 6: Define Acronyms, Abbreviations, & Scales

Spell them out first, then give your study-specific meaning.

Example:

SPSS – Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. In this study, SPSS was used to compute correlation and regression analyses of the data collected.

Step 7: Explain Local or Cultural Terms

If you use terms from a local dialect, slang, or indigenous concepts, define them.

Example:

“Bayanihan” – A Filipino term that in this study refers to communal support practices among rural farming communities.

Step 8: Cite Sources (if needed)

If you’re adapting a scholarly definition (especially for constructs like self-esteem or resilience), briefly cite the author.

Example:

Resilience is defined following Masten (2001) as the ability of an individual to adapt positively despite significant adversity. In this study, it was measured using the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale.

Step 9: Keep It Consistent Across Chapters

Make sure the definitions you use in Chapter 1 match the:

• Variables in Chapter 3 (Methodology),
• Tables and graphs in Chapter 4 (Results),
• Discussions in Chapter 5.

One term = one definition. Don’t shift meanings mid-way.

Step 10: Review and Revise Carefully

Ask:

• Did I define all key terms in the title, research questions, and instruments?
• Are all definitions clear and not vague?
• Are there any terms that are too obvious and don’t need defining?

Show it to your adviser or peer. If they’re confused by a term, it needs work.

Dos and Don’ts

✅ Do	❌ Don’t
Use operational definitions	Copy-paste dictionary entries
Be concise but clear	Use vague language
Follow formatting rules	Over-define everything
Include only research-relevant terms	Define obvious words like “student”, “class”, etc.

TL;DR – Summary Table

Step	What to Do
1	Identify all key terms (title, questions, tools, variables)
2	Use operational definitions (how YOU use the term)
3	Use alphabetical list or paragraph format
4	Add time, population, scale, units if needed
5	Define acronyms, abbreviations, and tools
6	Translate and define local/cultural terms
7	Cite source if using conceptual definitions
8	Match definition usage in all chapters
9	Avoid over-defining basic/common terms
10	Review with adviser or peer

Tips for Writing the Definition of Terms

Quick-hit guide for crafting clear, effective, and research-ready definitions.

1. Clear

Tip: Avoid jargon unless it’s fully explained.

• Don’t assume your reader knows niche terms, even if they’re common in your field.
• Break down complex ideas into simple, understandable language.

Example:
Instead of saying:

“This study measures social capital.”
Write:
“Social capital, in this study, refers to the level of interpersonal trust, shared norms, and support networks among community members, as measured by the Social Capital Index.”

2. Contextual

Tip: Define the term as it is used in your study, not just what it means generally.

• Use operational definitions — how the concept is measured, observed, or applied in your research setting.
• Include tools, instruments, timeframes, or populations involved.

Example:

“Academic performance refers to the students’ final general weighted average (GWA) in Mathematics and English subjects for the SY 2024–2025.”

3. Relevant

Tip: Only include terms that matter to your study.

• Prioritize variables, key constructs, and terms from your research title, questions, and objectives.
• Don’t define everyday words unless they’re used in a unique way.

Example:
✅ Define: “Motivation,” “Resilience,” “Dropout Rate”
❌ Avoid defining: “Teacher,” “School,” “Student” — unless you’re using these terms in a specialized way.

4. Consistent

Tip: Use the same definitions across your entire thesis.

• Your definition in Chapter 1 should align with how the term appears in:
  • Theoretical Framework
  • Methodology (e.g., survey or instrument)
  • Results/Analysis
• If you revise your tool or framework later, update this section to match.

Tip: Create a keyword list at the start of your research to keep terms unified from proposal to defense.

5. Format-Ready

Tip: Follow your school’s format guidelines (APA, MLA, CMS, etc.)

• Use the required font, spacing, punctuation, and structure (bold, italics, or underlining of terms).
• If definitions require citations (e.g., constructs from psychology), apply proper referencing.

Example (APA Style):

Self-efficacy refers to a person’s belief in their ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish a task (Bandura, 1997).

Tip: Use alphabetical order and bullet formatting for cleaner presentation (unless your school prefers paragraph format).

Common Mistakes to Avoid in the Definition of Terms

Writing the Definition of Terms section seems simple, but small mistakes can lead to major confusion in your research. This section must be precise, consistent, and relevant to your study. Below is a breakdown of common mistakes and why you should avoid them:

❌ Mistake	🧠 Why It’s a Problem
Copy-pasting dictionary definitions	Dictionary meanings are often too general and do not reflect how you’re specifically using the term in your study. It weakens the research context.
Overloading with basic or obvious terms	Including simple or universally understood words (like “student” or “education”) can distract from the important variables and clutter the section.
Being too vague or abstract	If you don’t clearly show what you mean by a term (especially constructs like “performance” or “motivation”), your readers won’t understand your research scope.
Skipping acronyms, technical, or local terms	Failing to define field-specific jargon, acronyms (e.g., ICT, GAD), or local terms makes your thesis harder to follow for broader audiences.
Defining terms inconsistently	Using different definitions for the same term across chapters or tools (like surveys) breaks logical flow and reduces reliability.
Using circular definitions	Defining a term using the same word (e.g., “Academic success is being academically successful”) doesn’t provide clarity or context.
Not citing scholarly definitions	If a term is grounded in theory or attributed to a scholar (like Bandura’s self-efficacy), skipping citation weakens your theoretical support.
Too long or unfocused definitions	Long-winded explanations blur the meaning. Readers should grasp the term’s use in 1–2 clear sentences tied to your variables.
Not updating definitions after editing the research	When your tools, population, or variables change and the Definition of Terms stays outdated, it creates inconsistency and confusion.

Common Problems Faced by Researchers in the Definition of Terms

Many students and researchers struggle with writing the Definition of Terms section effectively. These aren’t just grammar issues, they’re structural problems that can weaken your entire study. Here’s a breakdown of what often goes wrong:

⚠️ Problem	🧠 What It Means / Why It’s a Problem
Too few terms	You didn’t define enough. Readers may get confused when technical, field-specific, or contextual terms are left unexplained. It creates ambiguity.
Too many unnecessary terms	Including basic terms like “teacher,” “school,” or “student” that are already well understood wastes space and makes the section bloated. Only define what’s central to your variables.
Misaligned definitions	Your definition of a term doesn’t match how it’s used in your instrument, survey, or framework. This weakens the credibility of your methodology and can mislead your data interpretation.
Undefined constructs	Abstract concepts like “resilience,” “well-being,” or “engagement” are often central to the study but left undefined. Without a clear definition, they’re impossible to measure accurately.
No operational context	You mention a term but don’t say how it works in your study. For example, saying “motivation” is important but not defining how you’ll measure it (e.g., through a specific scale or score).
Outdated or inconsistent definitions	You edited parts of your study but forgot to revise your Definition of Terms. Now your terms don’t match your updated variables, scope, or instruments.
Not consulting your theoretical framework	When your definitions don’t align with your chosen theory or model, it creates a disconnect between your conceptual and operational components.
Too general or copied from sources	Definitions that are generic or straight from dictionaries don’t reflect your unique study context. This is especially weak in graduate-level or professional research.
Poor formatting or organization	Definitions are scattered, inconsistent in format, or missing key parts (like units, timeframe, population). This makes the section hard to navigate or understand.

Sample: Definition of Terms Section

Study Title:

“The Impact of Social Media Engagement on Academic Motivation among Senior High School Students in Metro Manila”

Definitions (Alphabetical Format)

Academic Motivation – In this study, academic motivation refers to the internal drive and persistence of students to complete academic tasks, measured using the Academic Motivation Scale (AMS) during the 2024–2025 school year.

Facebook Usage – The frequency and duration of Facebook activity, including likes, shares, and comments, as self-reported by the participants in the Media Behavior Survey.

Senior High School Students – Grade 11 and Grade 12 students enrolled in public high schools within Metro Manila during SY 2024–2025.

Social Media Engagement – The level of interaction students have with social media platforms (e.g., liking, sharing, commenting, and posting), based on their responses to the adapted Social Media Activity Log (SMAL).

Breakdown of the Sample (What Makes It Work)

Element	Why It’s Good
Alphabetical format	Easy to scan
Operational context	Includes tools, time frame, and population
Relevant terms only	All terms connect directly to variables
Consistent structure	Each starts with a capitalized bolded term, followed by a clear definition

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Final Thoughts

Writing the Definition of Terms isn’t just a formality; it sets the stage for your entire study. A clear, well-written definitions section:

• Eliminates reader confusion
• Strengthens your methodology
• Shows academic precision
• Connects your theoretical and practical components

So don’t rush this part. Take the time to define wisely, and your whole research paper will read more professionally and smoothly.

Continue Learning: Explore Chapter 1

Chapter 1 introduces your study, builds its foundation, and guides the entire research direction.

Chapter 1 Guide

• Introduction →
• Background of the Study
• Statement of the Problem
• Objectives of the Study (General & Specific)
• Research Questions/Hypotheses
• Significance of the Study
• Scope and Delimitations
• Definition of Terms

Explore More Research Chapters:

• Chapter 2 → Literature review, frameworks, and research gap
• Chapter 3 → Research design, methods, and instruments
• Chapter 4 → Presentation and analysis of results
• Chapter 5 → Conclusions, findings, and recommendations

Understand the full structure to confidently write your thesis or research paper.

Note: We’re not your school’s official research coordinator, but our guides are designed to support and guide your writing process. Always follow your institution’s specific guidelines and formatting requirements.