Cambodian Mekong University is the university that cares for the value of education MN 400: Research Methods CHAPTER 2 APPLYING SCIENTIFIC THINKING TO MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS Teacher: Pou, Sovann
Sources of Knowledge Empiricists attempt to describe, explain, and make predictions through observation Rationalists believe all knowledge can be deduced from known laws or basic truths of nature Authorities serve as important sources of knowledge, but should be judged on integrity and willingness to present a balanced case
Deductive Reasoning The logical process of deriving a conclusion from a known premise or something known to be true. To generate idea: Chapter 3: Theory Building
To generate idea: Inductive Reasoning The logical process of establishing a general proposition on the basis of observation of particular facts Chapter 3: Theory Building
The Building Blocks of Theory Concepts Constructs Definitions Variables Propositions and Hypotheses Theories Models
Understanding Concepts A concept is a bundle of meanings or characteristics associated with certain events, objects, conditions, situations, and behaviors Concepts have been developed over time through shared usage
What is a Construct? A construct is an image or idea specifically invented for a given research and/or theorybuilding purpose.
Theory A coherent set of general propositions used as principles of explanation of the apparent relationships of certain observed phenomena. Two purposes of theory: Prediction Understanding Chapter 3: Theory Building
Concept (or Construct) A generalized idea about a class of objects, attributes, occurrences, or processes that has been given a name A mental image that has no meaning to someone else except for the one who conceptualize. Chapter 3: Theory Building
The content of theory Definition - state meaning of the concepts Proposition - statement about concept or relationship between concepts Hypothesis - statement/s produced to guide research to produce the possibility of an explanation or generalisation which can be validated empirically.
Theory Building A Process of Increasing Abstraction Theories Propositions Concepts Increasingly more abstract Objects and events in reality Chapter 3: Theory Building
Researchers Operation Abstract level: the level of knowledge expressing a concept that exists only as an idea or a quality apart from an object concepts propositions Empirical level Level of knowledge reflecting that which is verifiable by experience or observation variables hypotheses Chapter 3: Theory Building
Empirical operations A hypothesis is a proposition that is empirically testable. It is an empirical statement concerned with the relationship among variables. A variable is anything that may assume different numerical values
The Scientific Method: An Overview Assess relevant existing knowledge Formulate concepts & Propositions Statement of Hypotheses Design research Acquire empirical data Analyze & evaluate data Provide explanationstate new problem
Additional Part: Theoretical Framework, Variables, and Hypotheses Development From Concept to Variable Variables come from concept that a researcher has identified from literature review, opinion, experience or observation Types of variables: Independent Dependent Moderator Mediating (Intervening)
Variables Types of variables Independent Predictor Cause Dependent Criterion/Resultant Effect Mediating Enhances understanding of relation between independent and dependent variable Moderating: Relation between two variables is a function of the level of a third variable Additional Part: Theoretical Framework, Variables, and Hypotheses Development
Dependent variable Dependent variable represents the concept researchers are trying to predict. It s a variable considered as a function of other variables. Sometimes the dependent variable is called the outcome variable, criterion variable resultant, or effect.
Independent variable Variable researchers believe might influence the outcome measure. This might be a variable that researchers control, like a treatment, or a variable not under control, like IQ. It also might represent a demographic factor like age or gender. Independent variable is considered as a hypothesized cause or influence on a dependent variable. The independent variables are often called the Predictor, explanatory variables, or cause.
Additional Part: Theoretical Framework, Variables, and Hypotheses Development
Additional Part: Theoretical Framework, Variables, and Hypotheses Development Example A researcher thinks that smaller groups will be more cohesive than larger groups Group size Independent variable Level of cohesion Dependent variable Number of Group Members (IV) 3 5 7 9 11 13 Cohesiveness rating (DV) 87 77 65 60 60 58
Moderating variable A variable that interacts by virtue of being antecedent or intermediate in the causal pathway. Variable that describes a special type of independent variable to determine if it affects the relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variables. It is the factor which is measured, manipulated, or selected by the experimenter to discover whether it modifies the relationship of the independent variable to an observed phenomenon.
Additional Part: Theoretical Framework, Variables, and Hypotheses Development Moderated Effect
Intervening variable Intervening variable is part of a causal chain that links between the independent and the dependent variable. Intervening or mediator variables inform researchers about causal sequences or chains, thus explaining the causal process of a phenomenon. Intervening variable IS NOT a confounded variable. It can be called mediator variable. INDEPENDENT VARIABLE Educational level INTERVENING VARIABLE Occupational type DEPENDENT VARIABLE Income level
Additional Part: Theoretical Framework, Variables, and Hypotheses Development Mediated Effect
Additional Part: Theoretical Framework, Variables, and Hypotheses Development Moderating & Mediating Effects
Additional Part: Theoretical Framework, Variables, and Hypotheses Development Direct (main) & Indirect (mediated) Effects
Additional Part: Theoretical Framework, Variables, and Hypotheses Development
The Role of the Hypothesis Guides the direction of the study Identifies facts that are relevant Suggests which form of research design is appropriate Provides a framework for organizing the conclusions that result
Additional Part: Theoretical Framework, Variables, and Hypotheses Development Hypotheses development Idea/question Hypothesis Theory Does the customer greeting statements affect customer s purchase decision? Greeting statement is related to customers perception on product quality and purchase intention Perceptual bias theory First impression management Product quality
What is a Good Hypothesis? A good hypothesis should fulfill three conditions: Must be adequate for its purpose Must be testable Must be better than its rivals
The Value of a Theory Narrows the range of facts we need to study Suggests which research approaches will yield the greatest meaning Suggests a data classification system Summarizes what is known about an object of study Predicts further facts that should be found