For example, self-esteem is a measure of how people feel about themselves. The OPERATIONAL DEFINITION provides a concrete description of the variable. directly measured. In addition, whether or not the variable can be directly measured, the operational definition names the possible values of the variable. For example, self-esteem is a measure of how people feel about themselves. The OPERATIONAL DEFINITION provides a concrete description of the variable. If the variable is not directly measurable, it identifies aspects of the variable that can be. directly measured. In addition, whether or not the variable can be directly measured, the operational definition names the possible values of the variable.