Theory and Problem Conceptualization PDF

Theory and problem conceptualization Erwin A. Alampay, PhD PA 199.1 2021 Words to do research by… “If I have seen further than other men, it is because I have stood on the shoulders of giants.” - Sir Isaac Newton “N...

Theory and problem conceptualization Erwin A. Alampay, PhD PA 199.1 2021 Words to do research by… “If I have seen further than other men, it is because I have stood on the shoulders of giants.” - Sir Isaac Newton “Nothing is so practical as a good theory.” - Kurt Lewin Where do research problems come from?  From personal experiences, observations, interest  From existing research  From theory A well-conceptualized problem derives from a well-defined THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK! What is a theory?  Theories state suspected relations among concepts.  A theory is a set of propositions or logical statements about a phenomenon that…  summarizes the existing empirical knowledge  organizes the knowledge in the form of precise statements of relationships among the concepts  provides basis for explaining the phenomenon & making further predictions  Program Theory Model: Higher Teacher Pay and Increased Student Achievement Teacher salaries increase Teacher Class social Teachers give morale climate up second jobs More able improves becomes more and put full people pleasant energies to attracted Teachers work teaching to harder at Better teaching teaching, Teachers student- Schools prepare more prepare more teacher hire relations better Students Improve hip Teachers teachers understanding of teach lessons Students work harder more More effective able ly teacher Increased student achievement s teach better From Weiss 1998:56 ACCESS USE IMPACT On connect Control None Non-use aspiration GREATER IMPACT Private Use DIFFERENT IMPACT More Use IMPACT ON NON-USERS PUBLIC Different use Co-present Rules Mediated Cost Shared Assisted Instrumental. Non-instrumental. Playful.. -Poor. -Female Different. users -Rural -OFW kid -… Elements of a theoretical framework 1. It starts with concepts or constructs 2. The framework defines the concepts 3. The framework then specifies the proposed patterns of relationships among the concepts 4. The framework specifies the boundaries within which the theory is expected to hold Components of Theories  Concepts – mental images or perceptions  Variables – concepts that take more than one value along a continuum  Constants – concepts that has a single never changing value  Propositions- statements about one or more concepts or variable Types of Propositions  Univariate – a proposition that discusses only one variable  Bi-variate – relates two variables  Multi-variate – relates two or more variables Propositions (2)  Hypothesis: a proposition that is stated in a testable form and predicts a particular relationship between two or more variables  Susceptible to emprical investigation  Clearly states what the relationship is  Empirical Generalization : a relationship is first observed and then generalized to say it applies for all if not most cases Elements of a theoretical framework: Concepts 1. It starts with concepts or constructs  abstractions  refer to internal motives or clusters of behaviors  are inferred from observations of behavior Elements of a theoretical framework: Definitions 2. The framework defines the concepts  Conceptual definition- defines a concept by using other concepts  Good conceptual definitions…  use clear & precise terms whose meaning is generally agreed upon by everyone  are stated positively (i.e., what the concept is, rather than what it is not)  are not circular Elements of a theoretical framework: Definitions  Concepts & their definitions must be amenable to operationalization  Operational definition- indicates the measurements, procedures, or behaviors to be used as indicators of the concept  congruence or agreement between conceptual and operational definition  construct validity Elements of a theoretical framework: Relationships 3. The framework then specifies the proposed patterns of relationships among the concepts  Exogenous concepts / Independent or Predictor variables  Endogenous concepts / Dependent or Outcome variables Operationalization  IVs are the ones manipulated. Can be done through:  Straightforward instructions or story vignettes (as in experiments);  Exposure to an intervention; situation  DVs are the effect factors and are operationalized through their measure:  Self reports  Answered questionnaires  Response scales  Other measurable outcomes (e.g. income, weight, growth) Elements of a theoretical framework: Relationships  Types of relationships:  Causal  Correlation / Association  Reciprocal causation  Intervening / Mediating (indirect causation)  Moderating / Interactional Things to consider (in Groups)  List key concepts and variables associated with your topic  Discuss relationships you want to test among these concepts  Provide conceptual definitions for these main concepts/variables  Provide operational definitions for your variables Using theory in research 1. Via INDUCTION… generate general propositions of relationships (theory) from specific data  research results, observations  earlier / existing theories  insight Using theory in research 2. Via DEDUCTION… derive specific propositions from the theory to be tested with empirical data (a.k.a. generating hypotheses)  consider one or more propositions/relationships  operationalization Using theory in research 3. Hypothesis-testing & feedback Is observed data consistent with hypothesis? What does this say about the theory from which the hypothesis was derived? Support, refine, or reject? Assignment/Exercise  Groups discuss amongst yourselves your theories regarding the topic they want to investigate. YouSHOULD bring this output for consultation.  Lit Maps and Note cards not necessary for next meeting. Cycle of Scientific Inquiry Gather data THEORY Hypothesis testing Ask research question Generate hypothesis  A theoretical framework is indispensable !  Helps you argue for why your research problem is legitimate, researchable, & significant  Helps you situate your study in the context of surrounding theory & knowledge  It is the source of your conceptual (& operational) definitions  It justifies your hypotheses Practical Questions  Where do I find theories?  In the research literature!  Introduction, method, discussion sections  PJPA; Administration & Society; etc. Consider the existing models and frameworks on the topic and select among them… …according to interest, empirical support, relevance, applicability, testability An Integrated Implementation Model using the Capability Approach Sen’s Capability Approach Practical Questions  Do I have to use just one theory?  can focus on the work of a single theorist or the propositions from a single theory  can integrate propositions derived from diverse theoretical and empirical sources Practical Questions  What if there is no “theory”? Then via induction, the researcher must construct a framework by:  systematically outlining the major, relevant concepts that have been studied in relation to the topic  integrating the research findings pertaining to the concepts/variables  constructing a diagram consisting of these concepts and their proposed relationships Practical Questions  How do I present my theoretical framework in my research paper? 1. How does the framework define your key concepts/variables?  conceptual definitions 2. What links the concepts to each other?  types of relationships: causal, mediating, etc  Public Ad processes & mechanisms Practical Questions 3. What research variables & operational definitions are suggested by the framework? 4. Why do YOU believe in the explanatory power of this framework? Common Problems  Ambiguities in the relations among concepts  is the relationship direct, mediated, moderated?  is causality implied?  No clear relationship or build-up from theories & studies reviewed to the theoretical framework  Not clear how research questions derive from theoretical framework Common Problems  Studydesign or methodology not clearly linked to framework  Conceptualframework is not complete or comprehensive; does not account for some major variables in the study Common Problems  Usingan outdated, discredited, or scientifically dubious conceptual framework  Prematurecommitment to a conceptual framework when the study is exploratory in nature Use of theories  Quantitative research  Hypothesis and research questions are based on theories to be tested  Qualitative research  Theories may be generated DURING a study and placed at the end (e.g. grounded theory)  May be at the beginning to provide a lens  Mixed methods  May test and generate theories Quantitative theory-use a theory is a set of interrelated constructs, definitions, and propositions that presents a systematic view of a phenomena by specifying relations among variables, with the purpose of explaining natural phenomena (Kerlinger, 1979:64) Quantitative theory-use  Discussion of theory appears in the proposal (e.g. theoretical perspective)  Theories bridge the IV and DV and develops in the course of testing a prediction Form of theories (1) A series of hypothesis, “if … then” logic statements, that can be stated in the form of inter-related hypothesis: Example: 1. The higher the income, the more access to ICTs. 2. The more educated, the greater the use for ICTs. 3. Men would have greater access to ICTs than women. 4. Greater access to ICTs would lead to higher incomes. Form of theories (2) A series of “if…then” statements that explain why one would expect the IV to influence the DV. For example: “If the frequency of interaction between two or more persons increase, the degree of their liking for one another will increase, and vice-versa…persons who feel sentiments of liking for one another will express those sentiments in activities over and above the activities of the external system, and these activities may further strengthen the sentiments of liking” (Homans 1950:112, 118) Form of theories (3) An author may present a theory as a visual model to translate variables as a visual picture. X1 + + y1 + X2 + + z1 - y2 X3 Dependent Intervening /mediating IVs variables variables Conventions for visual diagrams  Position the IV on the left and the DV on the right  Use one-way arrows leading from each determining variable to each variable dependent on it  Indicate the strength of the relationship using valence signs on the paths + or – to infer relationships  Use two-headed arrows connected to show unanalyzed relationships between variables not dependent upon other relationships in the model Example: LRT users and utilization What it the IV? What is the DV? Distance - Utilization + Income State the theory illustrated here The Deductive approach in Quantitative Research Test or verify a theory Test hypothesis or research questions from the theory Define and operationalize variables Measure or Observe variables using an instrument to obtain scores Discussing the theory 1. The theory to be used 2. The central hypothesis or propositions of the theory 3. Information about the theory’s past use 4. Statements that reflect how the theory relates to the proposed study Theory use in Qualitative Research  Provides an explanation (as with Quantitative Research)- complete with variables, constructs and hypothesis  Use of a theoretical lens or perspective to guide the study  e.g. raise issues of gender, class or race  Indicates how the researchers position themselves in the study  The end point of the study (an inductive approach), e.g. grounded theory  Some do not employ an explicit theory (e.g. phenomenology), but constructs a rich, detailed description of a central phenomenon.  Inductive logic of research in a Qualitative study ralizations or theories to past experiences and lit Look for broad patterns, generalizations or Theories from the themes/categories Analyze data to form themes or categories Ask open-ended questions or records field notes Researcher gathers information Mixed methods theory-use May include theory  DEDUCTIVELY in theory testing and verification  INDUCTIVELY as in an emerging theory or pattern  Use of a theoretical lens or perspective Assignment  Prepareto discuss your Theoretical Frameworks for next meeting References Portus, LM; Barrios, EB, Conaco, MCG, Go, SP (2018) Doing Social Science Research: A Guidebook Cresswell (2003) Dooley, D. (1995). Social research methods. NJ: Prentice-Hall. Frankfort-Nachmias, C., & Nachmias, D. (1996). Research methods in the social sciences. St. Martin’s Press, Inc. Liwag, M.E. Research Seminar II notes Reynolds, P.D. (1971). A primer in theory construction. NY: Macmillan Publishing Co Weiss, C.H. (1998). Evaluation (Second Edition). Prentice Hall