3358_types of research,concept,construcy&variables

8/8/2019 3358_Types of Research,Concept,Construcy&Variables

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TYPES OF RESEARCHTYPES OF RESEARCH

Researchers categorize research activities inResearchers categorize research activities inseveral types:several types:

Conceptual (Theoretical)& Empirical Research,Conceptual (Theoretical)& Empirical Research,

Exploratory research, Experimental Research,Exploratory research, Experimental Research,Applied & Fundamental Research, Qualitative &Applied & Fundamental Research, Qualitative &Quantitative Research, Descriptive & analyticalQuantitative Research, Descriptive & analyticalResearch, Action Research, EvaluationResearch, Action Research, Evaluation

Research Survey Research, Post factoResearch Survey Research, Post factoResearch, Case studiesResearch, Case studies

Historical Research Ethnographic ResearchHistorical Research Ethnographic Research


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THETHEDISTINCTION RELATES BROADLYTODISTINCTION RELATES BROADLYTOTHE MODUS OPERANDI RATHER THAN TYPETHE MODUS OPERANDI RATHER THAN TYPE

Authors have attempted a synthesis onAuthors have attempted a synthesis on

Types of Research.Types of Research.

The research activities could broadly beThe research activities could broadly beclassifies in to three categories.classifies in to three categories.

Viz; Disciplinary research,Viz; Disciplinary research,

Subject Matter Research andSubject Matter Research andProblem Solving ResearchProblem Solving Research


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DISCIPLINARY RESEARCHDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH

Research activities designed to improve aResearch activities designed to improve a

particular discipline/branch of knowledge with aparticular discipline/branch of knowledge with a

view to develop or improve theories in theview to develop or improve theories in the

discipline.discipline.

eg; a) Improving or restating a theory in physicseg; a) Improving or restating a theory in physics

relating to atoms, or any other discipline.relating to atoms, or any other discipline.

b) Im

proving the techniques ofm

easurem

ent ofb) Im

proving the techniques ofm

easurem

ent ofsay GNP, intelligence, brand loyalty etc.say GNP, intelligence, brand loyalty etc.


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SUBJECT MATTER RESEARCHSUBJECT MATTER RESEARCH

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

It emerges out of a general issue faced by aIt emerges out of a general issue faced by asociety at a given time.society at a given time.

e.g. Energy and environment problems, thee.g. Energy and environment problems, thedownswing of the economy etc.downswing of the economy etc.

Each of the problems might draw attention ofEach of the problems might draw attention ofresearchers from several discipline.researchers from several discipline.

Therefore , a subject matter research could beTherefore , a subject matter research could bemultidisciplinary.multidisciplinary.


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PROBLEM SOLVING RESERACHPROBLEM SOLVING RESERACH

The Research type is problem and personThe Research type is problem and personspecific e.g.specific e.g.

Amanager facing a problem of increasingAmanager facing a problem of increasingcost of his product.cost of his product.

Company facing a problem of decliningCompany facing a problem of decliningmarket share of its product presently.market share of its product presently.

A credit control instrument of the centralA credit control instrument of the centralbank is becoming ineffective.bank is becoming ineffective.

A political party facing unpopularity.A political party facing unpopularity.


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THESE RESEARCH TYPES ARETHESE RESEARCH TYPES ARE

NOT

MUT

UALLY

EX

CLUSSIV

ENO

TMU

TUALLY

EX

CLUSSIV

E

Research on increasing cost mayResearch on increasing cost maynecessitate research on economics,necessitate research on economics,engineering etc.engineering etc.

Environmental problemmay involveEnvironmental problemmay involveresearch on chemistry, biological andresearch on chemistry, biological andsocial sciences.social sciences.

Pure disciplinary research may be for thePure disciplinary research may be for thebenefit of the entire society. Like medicalbenefit of the entire society. Like medicalresearch or invention of electricity.research or invention of electricity.


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THE MODE OF OPERATION OFTHE MODE OF OPERATION OF

THESE RESEARCH ACTIVITIESTHESE RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

THE MODES COULD BROADLY BETHE MODES COULD BROADLY BE

DIVEDED INTO FOUR CATEGORIESDIVEDED INTO FOUR CATEGORIES

1.Laboratory Experiments1.Laboratory Experiments2.Field experiments2.Field experiments

3.Field studies3.Field studies

4.Survey Research4.Survey Research


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1.LABORATORYEXPERIMENTS1.LABORATORYEXPERIMENTS

Complete control or control to a greatComplete control or control to a great

extent of extraneous variables notextent of extraneous variables not

pertinent to the immediate issue ofpertinent to the immediate issue of

research.research.

Absolute precision and replicability areAbsolute precision and replicability are

possible.possible.

Such experiments are not possible inSuch experiments are not possible in

social sciences (with exception such as insocial sciences (with exception such as in

psychology or educational research).psychology or educational research).


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2. Field Experiment2. Field Experiment

A study in the realistic situation.A study in the realistic situation.

These are known as research studies withThese are known as research studies withholistic approach.holistic approach.

Unlike Lab Expr. these studies areUnlike Lab Expr. these studies areconducted in natural condition with noconducted in natural condition with nocontrol or little control over other variablescontrol or little control over other variables

Experimental variability is more.Experimental variability is more.Applied research and action research areApplied research and action research areforms of field experiments.forms of field experiments.


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3. Field Studies3. Field Studies

Field studies are post facto study aimed atField studies are post facto study aimed atdiscovering existing behaviour/ relationsdiscovering existing behaviour/ relationsamongst variables.amongst variables.

No manipulation of variables is done by theNo manipulation of variables is done by theresearcher.researcher.

Expl: Social and Anthropological studies.Expl: Social and Anthropological studies.Behaviour and relationship between variousBehaviour and relationship between various

soiosoio--political and sociopolitical and socio--economic and marketeconomic and marketrelated variables.related variables.

Decisions are taken on the basis of the observedDecisions are taken on the basis of the observedrelationships.relationships.


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4. Survey research4. Survey research

(A

type of field study)(A

type of field study)Survey could beSurvey could be

a) Census Survey and b) Sample survey.a) Census Survey and b) Sample survey.

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

Sample surveys are considered to be anSample surveys are considered to be animportant branch of social scientificimportant branch of social scientific

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


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Sample surveys could be doneSample surveys could be done

through the followingm

ethods.through the followingm

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

b) Questionnaire canvassing personally or throughb) Questionnaire canvassing personally or through

mail/email/e--mailmail

c) Telephone interviews (In short time)c) Telephone interviews (In short time)

Necessary condition is to have aNecessary condition is to have a

representative sample.representative sample.

The basic objective is to have inferenceThe basic objective is to have inference

about the population (generalization)about the population (generalization)


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The definition of scientific Research and Types ofThe definition of scientific Research and Types of

Research emphasizedResearch emphasized

a ) Observing the behavior of events/ phenomenaa ) Observing the behavior of events/ phenomena

in nature/ society/economyin nature/ society/economy

b ) Discovering relationship, generalizing andb ) Discovering relationship, generalizing and

theorizing.theorizing.

Leads to a discussion onLeads to a discussion on

a) Concept, construct and variablesa) Concept, construct and variables

b) Measurement or quantification of variablesb) Measurement or quantification of variablesc) Reliability and vilidityc) Reliability and vilidity


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Concept, Construct and VariablesConcept, Construct and Variables

A 'concept' expresses an abstraction formed byA 'concept' expresses an abstraction formed by

generalization from particular.generalization from particular.

E.g. Weight is a concept. This expressesE.g. Weight is a concept. This expresses

numerous observation of objects which arenumerous observation of objects which areheavy or light.heavy or light.

Similarly, intelligence, preferences, wealth,Similarly, intelligence, preferences, wealth,

income, risk aversive ness, loyalty etc areincome, risk aversive ness, loyalty etc are

concept.concept.


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Construct as derived from ConceptConstruct as derived from Concept

'Construct' is a concept which is invented or'Construct' is a concept which is invented or

adopted for a specific purpose to use in aadopted for a specific purpose to use in a

scheme or functional form and capable of beingscheme or functional form and capable of being

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

brand loyalty etc when used in a study withbrand loyalty etc when used in a study with

specific measurement techniques become aspecific measurement techniques become a

construct for the researcher.construct for the researcher.

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


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VariablesVariables

Researchers call the 'construct' as variable whenResearchers call the 'construct' as variable when

property being measured takes on differentproperty being measured takes on different

values or numerals are assigned to the constructvalues or numerals are assigned to the construct

under study.under study.The numbers vary with entities and thus theThe numbers vary with entities and thus the

name 'variable'.name 'variable'.

Concept, Construct and Variables seem similar butConcept, Construct and Variables seem similar but

are different in their characteristics which vary inare different in their characteristics which vary in

their levels of abstraction and quantification.their levels of abstraction and quantification.


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Types of VariablesTypes of Variables

Qualitative and Quantitative VariablesQualitative and Quantitative Variables

All qualitative variables are attributes, but allAll qualitative variables are attributes, but all

variables are not attributes.variables are not attributes.

Qualitative variables are categorical variables andQualitative variables are categorical variables and

quantitative variables are continuous variables.quantitative variables are continuous variables.

Dichotomous and Polytomous variables.Dichotomous and Polytomous variables.

Taking two ormore values.Taking two ormore values.Dependent and independent variables.Dependent and independent variables.

This distinction depends on the usesThis distinction depends on the uses

3358_types of research,concept,construcy&variables

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