There are several type of research, but before you know what kind of research do you want to do, you have to know first what is concept and theory.
Concept & Theory
Model: Is
a term used to describe the overall framework that we use to look at reality,
based on the philosophical stance
System Modeling and Optimization |
Concept is general expression of a particular phenomenon, is expressed in the form of statements and is expressed and communicated through symbols. There are two types of concept:
- Abstract concept that is completely independent of a specific time or place, ex. temperature, three days;
- Concrete concept that is specific to a particular time or place, ex. temperature of the sun, 4 to 6 Dec. 1976.
Concept can be measured by:
- Compare a statement to some phenomenon or phenomena
- Operational definition:
- A set of procedure that describes the activities an observer should perform in order to receive sensory impressions, that indicate the existence or degree of existence of a theoretical concept
- Criteria for evaluating an operational definition:
- Gauge its suitability as a measurement procedure which is called inter subjectivity (inter-observer agreement)
- Assess its relation to a theoretical concept
Moreover, the quantification of concept can be measured by its level, which are:
- Nominal
- Divide data into categories that can be compared to each other
- Ordinal
- Rank ordered
- Interval level
- Equal unit of measurement and has a zero point
- Ratio level
- Can express values in terms of fractional parts
Whilst Theory is:
- A set of interrelated constructs (concepts), definition and propositions that presents a systematic vies of phenomena by specifying relations among variables, with a purpose of explaining and predicting phenomena
- Combine diverse and isolated pieces of empirical data to create an intelligible conceptual model which is capable of being more generally applied
Main Characteristics of a Good Theory
- Must permit deduction that can be tested empirically
- Must provide the means for its confirmation or rejection
- Must be compatible with both the observation and previously validated theory
- Must be stated in simple terms
Conception of theory
- A set of laws theory:
- Describes a relation in which scientist have so much confidence that they consider it and absolute ‘truth’
- Ex. Law of gravity
- Contain concepts that can be measured or identified in concrete settings
- It can’t lead to a sense of understanding of the phenomena
- Axiomatic theory:
- Comprises an initial set of statements (axioms or self-evident truths)
- Are not required to be ‘laws’, fully supported by empirical evidence
- Most form of axioms are abstract
- Ex. Pythagorean geometry
- Can be used to classify and organize phenomena and to logically derived explanation and predictions
- Fails to provide means of gaining a sense of understanding of the phenomena
- Causal process theory:
- Consist of an interrelated set of definition and statements
- Define theory and explain causal process
- Asking ‘why’ and ‘how’ things occur
Concept & Theory
- Research questions or propositions
- Theoretical statements that indicate direction and scope of the research, which is not possible to be rigorously tested
- Hypothesis
- Theoretical statements which is possible to be tested
- Empirical generalization
- Based on several empirical studies
- Paradigm
- Overall effect of the acceptance of a particular general theory approach
Types of Research
- Historical:
- The systematic and objective location, evaluation and synthesis of evidence in order to establish facts and draw conclusions about past events
- Involves exploring the meaning and relationship of events
- Uses primarily historical data (artefacts, records and writings)
- Value of historical research:
- It enables solutions to contemporary problems to be sought in the past
- It throws light on present and future trends
- It allows for the evaluation of data supporting selected hypotheses, theories and generalizations that are presently held about the past
- Facts or data must be checked whether the are genuine and/or authentic
- Comparative:
- Help to reveal the origins and development of social phenomena
- Descriptive:
- Relies on observation as a means of collecting data
- Attempts to examine situations in order to establish what is the norm
- Observation can take many forms (interview, questionnaires, visual records)
- Depends on human observations and responses à data distortion can occur
- Correlation:
- Measure of association or relationships between two phenomena
- Information sought is expressed in numbers
- Principally quantitative study
- Relational studies
- Prediction studies (where correlations are already known)
- Allows for the measurement of a number of characteristics (variables) and their relationship simultaneously.
- Experimental:
- Has a greater control over the subjects of its studies
- Involves making a change in the value of one variable (independent) and observing the effect of that change on another variable (dependent)
- Class of experiments:
- Pre-experimental
- True experimental
- Quasi-experimental
- Correlation and ex post-facto