(ˌɒpəˈreɪʃənəˌlɪzəm) or operationism (ˌɒpəˈreɪʃəˌnɪzəm)
noun
philosophy
the theory that scientific terms are defined by the experimental operations which determine their applicability
Derived forms
operationalistic (ˌoperˌationalˈistic)
adjective
operationalism in American English
(ˌɑpəˈreɪʃənəlˌɪzəm)
noun
Philosophy
the doctrine that no concept or term used in a purportedly factual statement has valid meaning unless it can be defined in terms of repeatable, empirical operations, experimental procedures, etc.