Final answer:
To define abstract concepts such as happiness or health, researchers must create operational definitions. Operational definitions define concepts in terms of concrete or physical steps that can be objectively measured.
Step-by-step explanation:
Researchers must create operational definitions in order to define abstract concepts such as happiness or health. Operational definitions define concepts in terms of concrete or physical steps that can be objectively measured. By operationalizing a variable, researchers can collect data in a systematic and replicable manner.