operating method; how to operate; user guide
Refers to the way something is operated, or a document explaining operation procedures. Common in technical and consumer contexts.
Please tell me how to operate this machine.
When you don't understand the operating method, please read the manual.
操作 means 'operation' or 'manipulation' as an action; 操作方法 is the method or guide for that operation.
取扱説明書 is a formal term for an instruction manual, while 操作方法 can refer to the method itself or a simpler guide.
Compound of 操作 (operation) and 方法 (method).