Chapter 3 - Theory Building PDF

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LSP700 - Applied Research Chapter 3 - Theory Building

Theory - a formal, logical explanation of some events that includes predictions or how things relate to one another Goals of Theory: Understanding & Predicting Research Concepts ➔ Concept (or construct) - a generalized idea about a class of objects, attributes, occurrences or process that has been given a name. ◆ Examples: leadership | morale | GDP | assets | Customer satisfaction | market share Social Network Theory - researchers have developed theories about the links and structures of social networks, complete with constructs and propositions about how linkages are formed and the social capital they yield Ladder of Abstraction - Organization of Concepts in sequence from the most concrete and individual to the most general Abstract Level - the level of knowledge expressing a concept that exists only as an idea or a quality apart from an object Empirical Level - the level of knowledge that is verifiable by experience or observation Latent Construct - a concept that is not directly observable or measurable, but can be estimated through proxy measures

Research Propositions and Hypotheses

➔ Propositions - statements explaining the logical linkage among certain concepts by asserting a universal connection between concepts ◆ I.e treating employees better wll make them more loyal employees ➔ Hypothesis - formal statement of an unproven proposition that in empirically testable ◆ I.e Giving employees one friday off each month will result in lower employee turnover. Empirical Testing - examining a research hypothesis against reality using data Variables - anything that may assume different numerical values. The empirical assessment of a concept Operationalizing - the process of identifying the actual measurement scales to assess the variables of interest Theory Building ➔ Deductive Reasoning - the logical process of deriving a conclusion about a specific instance based on a known general premise or something known to be true ➔ Inductive Reasoning - the logical process of establishing a general proposition on the basis of observation of particular facts The Scientific Method Scientific Method ●

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A set of prescribed procedures for establishing and connecting theoretical statements about events, for analyzing empirical evidence, and for predicting events yet unknown Techniques or procedures used to analyze empirical evidence in an attempt to confirm or disapprove prior conceptions

Suggested Steps 1) Assess relevant existing knowledge of phenomenon 2) Formulate concepts and propositions 3) State hypotheses 4) Design research to test the hypotheses 5) Acquire empirical data 6) Analyze and evaluate data 7) Propose an explanation of the phenomenon and state the new problems raised by the research...