4184_Types of Research,Concept,Construct&Variables

7/27/2019 4184_Types of Research,Concept,Construct&Variables

1/23

Session III

Types of Research- A synthesis Concept, construct and variables


2/23

Types of Research

Researchers categorize research activities in several

types:

Conceptual (Theoretical) & Empirical Research,

Exploratory research,

Experimental Research,

Applied & Fundamental Research,

Qualitative & Quantitative Research,


3/23

Types of Research( Contd)

Descriptive & analytical Research,

Action Research,

Evaluation Research,

Survey Research, Field investigation,

Post facto Research,

Historical Research,

Ethnographic Research,

Case studies etc


4/23

THE DISTINCTION RELATES BROADLY TOTHE MODUS OPERANDIRATHER THAN TYPE

Authors have attempted a synthesis on

Types of Research.

The research activities could broadly be

classifies in to three categories with

respect to applicability.

Viz; Disciplinary research,

Subject MatterResearch and

Problem Solving Research


5/23

DISCIPLINARY RESEARCH

Research activities designed to improve a

particular discipline/branch of knowledge with a

view to develop or improve theories in the

discipline.e.g.; a) Improving or restating a theory in physics

relating to atoms, or similar restatement of

theories in any other discipline.

b) In case of social sciences: Improving the

techniques of measurement of say GNP,

intelligence, brand loyalty etc.


6/23

SUBJECT MATTER RESEARCH

Research on a subject/topic of interest to a setof decision makers.

It emerges out of a general issue faced by asociety/or a group of people at a given time.

e.g. Energy and environment problems, the recentdownswing of the global economy etc.

Such problems might draw attention ofresearchers from several disciplines.

Therefore , a subject matter research could bemultidisciplinary.


7/23

PROBLEM SOLVING RESERACH

The Research type is problem and personspecific e.g.

A manager facing a problem of increasing

cost of his product.Company facing a problem of decliningmarket share of its product presently.

A credit control instrument of the centralbank is becoming ineffective.

A political party facing unpopularity.


8/23

THESE RESEARCH TYPESARE

NOT MUTUALLY EXCLUSSIVE

They may have common areas betweenthem and many research efforts mix thethree types.

Research on increasing cost may necessitateresearch in the areas of mechanical andproduction engineering, economics etc.

Environmental problem may involve research

the areas such as chemistry, biological sciencesand social sciences.


9/23

THE MODE OF OPERATION OF

THESE RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

THE MODES COULD BROADLY BE

DIVEDED INTO FOUR CATEGORIES

1.Laboratory Experiments

2. Field experiments

3. Field studies

4. Survey Research5. Case Studies


10/23

1.LABORATORY EXPERIMENTS

Complete control orcontrol to a great extent of

extraneous variables not pertinent to the

immediate issue of research.

Absolute precision and replicability are possible.Such experiments are not possible in social

sciences (with exception such as in psychology

or educational research).

However, laboratory experiments in social

sciences are not as exact as in case of the

physical sciences.


11/23

2. Field Experiment

These are studies in the realistic situation.

They are known as research studies with aholistic approach. ( No Ceteris paribus

assu impt ion )Unlike Laboratory Experiment, these studiesare conducted in natural condition with nocontrol orlittle control over other variables,

but the researcher intervenes in one or morevariables.

Action research is a form of fieldexperiments.


12/23

3. Field Studies

Field studies are post facto study aimed atdiscovering existing behavior/ relations amongstvariables.

The researcherdoes not intervene in anyvariable(s).

Expl: Behavior and relationship between varioussocio-political and socio-economic and market

related variables. Social and Anthropologicalstudies.

Decisions are taken on the basis of the observedrelationships forexplanation and prediction.


13/23

4. Survey research

(A type of field study)

Survey could be

a) Census Survey and b) Sample survey.

Depends on factors like population size,time available, feasibility etc.

Sample surveys are considered to be animportant branch of social scientific

enquiry to arrive at conclusions about thepopulation using statistical techniques.(On several population characteristics)


14/23

Sample surveys could be done

through the following methods.

a) Personal interviews with group(s) of individuals.

b) Questionnaire canvassing personally or through

mail/e-mail

c) Telephonic interviews (In short time and forsmall sample)

d) Panel techniques- Delphi Method

Necessary condition is to have a representativesample.

The basic objective is to have inference about

the population (generalization)


15/23

What did we discuss till now?

We defined Scientific research

Explored the scientific status of social

sciences.

Hinted at the purpose of research and

synthesized types of research

The above emphasized/ highlighted Observing the behavior of the phenomena orvariables and discovering relationship between

them and theorizing those"


16/23

Observation, Theorizing and Mathematical

Model buildingnecessitates knowledge on

a) Concept, construct and variables

b) Measurement or quantification of

variables

c) Reliability and validity relating to the

measurementof variables and

specification of relationships between

them.


17/23

a) Concept, Construct and Variables

Consider the following:Weight is associated with height

High PCI results in high capital formation.

Advertising expenditure increases sale volumeIncrement on women literacy reduces infant

mortality.

Industrialization leads to urbanization.

Increment in the number of women employees

in the corporate sector in associated with a

boom in the cosmetic industries.


18/23

Concept, construct.(contd)

Each statement consists of two concepts

joined by a relational word/phrases like

"associated with "results in", "increases",

"reduces", "leads to" .

Whenever such relational statements are

made the researcher is operating on

hypotheses relating to two concepts (ormore in case of multiple relationships)


19/23

Concept, Construct Contd

A 'concept' expresses an abstraction formed by

generalization from particular.

E.g. Weight is a concept. This expresses

numerous observation of objects which areheavy or light.

Similarly, height, industrialization, urbanization,

intelligence, preferences, wealth, income, risk

evasiveness, loyalty etc are concepts.


20/23

Construct as derived from Concept

'Construct' is a concept which is invented or

adopted for a specific purpose to use in a

scheme or functional form and capable of being

measured.E.g. Weight, income, Intelligence, preference,

brand loyalty etc when used in a study with

specific measurement techniques become a

construct for the researcher.

Construct may also refer to relationships.

Brand Loyalty = f ( Income), Sales =f( Adv Expdr)


21/23

Variables

Researchers call the 'construct' as variable when

property being measured takes on different

values or numerals are assigned to the construct

under study.The numbers vary with entities and thus the

name 'variable'.

Concept, Construct and Variables seem similar but

are different in their characteristics which vary in

theirlevels of abstraction and quantification.


22/23

Types of Variables

Quantitative and Qualitative Variables.

Income,expenditure,weight etc & Economic Status,

Brand Preference, Brand Loyalty etc are quantitative

& qualitative variables respectively.

Dichotomous and Polytomous variables.

Variable taking two or more values.

Dependent and independent variables.

This distinction depends on the usesManifest and Latent Variables

Dummy variables


23/23

How to measure Variables ?

Why is it necessary to measure the variables?

In empirical analysis the numbers are necessary to

highlight relationship.

We discussed different types of variables.There is no standard measure to measure all the

variables since the technique of measurement may

differ with respect to qualitative and quantitative

variables.This will be discussed under scale of measurement.

Documents

4184_Types of Research,Concept,Construct&Variables