The Definition of Terms section anchors how you - not the dictionary - will use key words throughout the manuscript. Operational definitions remove ambiguity and let the panel hold you to a specific meaning.
Conceptual vs Operational
Type
Source
Example - User
Conceptual
Dictionary or theorist
A person who uses a product or service
Operational
Your study
In this study, a user refers to an HR officer of XYZ Inc. who logs in to the attendance tracker at least once per shift
What To Include
Include
Skip
Acronyms used in the manuscript (HRM, SDLC, KPI)
Common English words
Domain-specific terms (RFID, OAuth)
Words used only once
Roles in your system (admin, encoder, viewer)
Synonyms of clear words
Metrics you measure (response time, throughput)
Generic computing vocabulary
Formatting Convention
Arrange terms in alphabetical order.
Italicise or bold the term.
Use one sentence per term where possible.
Cite the source for conceptual definitions; do not cite for operational ones.
Avoid first-person voice (no I, we).
Common Mistakes
Mistake
Fix
Copy-pasting definitions verbatim
Paraphrase, attribute, and bracket with operational meaning
Defining a term you never use again
Remove it
Defining the same term inconsistently across chapters
Discussion
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