Final answer:
The researcher has created an operational definition of affection by counting the number of eye gazes between partners as a measure, which is important in observational studies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The researcher has created an operational definition of affection. An operational definition specifies the exact criteria or measures used to represent a concept being studied, in this case, affection. By choosing to count the number of times partners gaze into each other's eyes, the researcher has established a quantifiable and observable method to assess the level of affection between partners. This method must be consistent and reliably applied across all participants to ensure the validity of the research findings.
In psychological research, such as observational studies, this forms part of ensuring that the variables are both measurable and meaningful. By using a cutoff of more than 10 gazes in an hour to define 'very affectionate partners', the researcher has set a benchmark for their study, which can then be used to compare different sets of partners or to make broader generalizations about the manifestation of affection in relationships.