Type of Research

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