Lec 9-ARM

Dr Sajida Zaki

Revisiting: Deductive & Inductive Research Approaches Process of Quantitative Research

Induction (building theory)

On the basis of some observations leading towards a theory Helps when operational definition is not clear Rigid research design is not require Provide alternate explanations Particularly concerned with the context in which events are taking place Small sample of subjects is suitable

Deducting a hypothesis from the theory Expressing the hypothesis in operational terms Testing this operational hypothesis (experiment / empirical study) 4. Examination of specific outcome 5. If necessary, modify the theory in the light of findings
1. 2. 3.

Deduction (testing theory)

Induction emphasizes Deduction emphasizes: Gaining understanding of Scientific principles humans attach to events Moving from theory to data Close understanding of Need to explain causal research context relation bw the variables Collection of qualitative Collection of quantitative data data More flexible structures to permit changes of research Application of controls to emphasis as the research ensure validity progresses Highly structured approach Realization that researcher is the part of the research Researcher is independent process what is being researched Less concerned with the Necessary to select a need to generalize specific sample to generalize the results

Research Process Typically move in an orderly and systematic fashion from the definition of a problem and the selection of concepts on which to focus , through the design of the study and collection of information, to the solution of the problem

Control

Quantitative research use mechamisms designed to control the study Control involves imposing condition on the research situation so that biasis are minimized and precision and validity are maximized

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Objectivity & Empiricism Quantitative researchers gather empirical evidence that is rooted in objective reality and gathered directly or indirectly through the senses and through experiments, surveys, observations, assessments etc. Numeric Data Using formal instruments to collect needed information- numeric information that analyzed with statistical procedure

2011-10-21

Generalizability of results Generalizability of the research:the degree to which research findings can be generalized to individuals other than those who participated in the study

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Example
Skillful Employees Concept 1.Technical Competencies

Construct

2. Personality traits

Variables

1.Education, Professional qualification, years of formal experience etc.

Hypothesis

1.There is no relationship b/w professional qualification of individuals & their job satisfaction

Convert the following concepts into constructs and variables to form hypothesis that you would test under quantitative approach: Job performance Morale Consumer personality Brand Equity

Variable is something that varies. Qualities, properties, or characteristics of persons, things, or situations that change or vary. The concepts you want to look at, change or affect in your study Examples : age, weight, body temperature, time, gender, poverty, exercise, diet, motivation, writing skills, anxiety level, income, education, are all variables. Smoking is a variable because not every one smokes Meditation is a variable not every one meditates

A variable is any quality of a person, group or situation that varies or takes on different values Variables are the central building blocks of quantitaive studies, there are different types of variables To quantitative research nearly all aspects of human beings and their environment are variables Quantitative research seek to understand how or why things vary and to learn how differences in one variable are related to differences in another

1. Quantitative Continuous: Age, weight, time, percentages etc. Discrete: no. of cars/ children/homes/rank etc.

VS
2. Qualitative

Categorical: Gender, employed/unemployed, civilian/armed forces, school/college/university student etc.

Active Vs Attribute Variables: the factors of a person in a study are attribute the factors created by the researcher during the study are active. Gender/age(attribute) exercise/diet (active)

Independent Variable: Something that is changed by the researcher. E.g. what is tested? What is manipulated? Dependent Variable: Something that might be affected by the change in the Independent Variable. E.g. what is observed? What is measured? The Data collected during the study/investigation Intervening Variable: The intermediate change that occurs because of Independent Variable before the affect/dependant variable.

Controlled Variable: A variable that is not changed. Also called constants. Allows for a fair test.

Example:

Students of different ages were given the same jigsaw puzzle to put together. They were timed to see how long it took to finish the puzzle. Independent Variable: Ages of the students (Different ages were tested by the scientist) Dependent Variable: The time to put the puzzle together (the time was observed and measured by the scientist) Controlled Variable: Same puzzle (All of the participants were tested with the same puzzle. It would not have been a fair test if some had an easy 30 piece puzzle and some had a 200 piece harder puzzle)

A manager gets all his staff professional training before the start of a project in order to improve their performance.

Identify is this situation the following variables Independent Dependent Intervening Controlled

Descriptive Research
Correlational Research Causal Research Experimental Research

Complete all the tasks from this lecture and submit formally