...Between Theory And Research An excerpt from .awcett, J., and Downs, .. (1986). The Relationship of Theory and Reseach. Norwalk, CT: Appleton Century Crofts. [.awcett & Downs teach in a School of Nursing and their examples involve topics of interest to nurses. Your humble instructor has modified this excerpt slightly to maintain terminology consistent with the social sciences]. 1 The close connection between theory and research was implied in the discussion of their functions. Stated explicitly, the initial impetus for research is the search for theory. Theory development relies on research, and research relies on theory. Brown (1977) characterized the relationship between theory and research as a dialectic, a transaction whereby theory determines what data are to be collected and research findings provide challenges to accepted theories. 2 Research, then, is neither more nor less than the vehicle for theory development. It is the method used to gather the data needed for the theory. This is true whether the purpose of the research is to generate a theory or to test one. When the purpose is theory generation, the phenomenon of interest suggests things to look for. .or example, if a theory of clients perceptions of factors influencing their adherence to a nursing care plan were to be generated, one source of data would be clients perceptions of why they were willing and able to follow the care plan. Conversely, if the purpose is theory testing, the theory dictates...
Words: 2192 - Pages: 9
...discuss the four types of research theories – deductive, inductive, grounded, and axiomatic. I will also discuss why and how these theories are used, and which is the most relevant, or most important. I will discuss the differences and similarities in theory and hypothesis. I will also discuss variables, and why they are important components of theoretical research. Four Types of Research Theories When doing research, it is important to first have your idea, or subject you will be researching. Once you have chosen the subject, then the research begins. There are so many places to go to use as sources. There are books, articles in magazines or newspapers, interviewing sources, and the ever growing internet. Personal experiences are another great way of getting information for your research. There are many ways to obtain information for your subject, but deciding on the subject to research is the first step. Then you need to decide how narrow or wide-ranged your topic is going to be. One example is Crime Scene Forensics. Will the paper be done on the entire subject of forensics, or will it be narrowed down to one element of forensics, such as DNA testing, or maybe ballistics? This is a decision that you will make before you start researching the subject. A very intelligent instructor, said to choose something that interests you and the researching will be a lot more interesting and fun to do. I think this is a very good concept to remember about research, and can also...
Words: 1214 - Pages: 5
...(RD)-45593.qxd 6/20/2008 4:36 PM Page 49 CHAPTER THREE The Use of Theory ne component of reviewing the literature is to determine what theories might be used to explore the questions in a scholarly study. In quantitative research, researchers often test theories as an explanation for answers to their questions. In a quantitative dissertation, an entire section of a research proposal might be devoted to presenting the theory for the study. In qualitative research, the use of theory is much more varied. The inquirer may generate a theory as the final outcome of a study and place it at the end of a project, such as in grounded theory. In other qualitative studies, it comes at the beginning and provides a lens that shapes what is looked at and the questions asked, such as in ethnographies or in advocacy research. In mixed methods research, researchers may both test theories and generate them. Moreover, mixed methods research may contain a theoretical lens, such as a focus on feminist, racial, or class issues, that guides the entire study. I begin this chapter by focusing on theory use in a quantitative study. It reviews a definition of a theory, the use of variables in a quantitative study, the placement of theory in a quantitative study, and the alternative forms it might assume in a written plan. Procedures in identifying a theory are next presented, followed by a script of a theoretical perspective section of a quantitative research proposal. Then the discussion...
Words: 8346 - Pages: 34
...Sociology (Elective) Marks Paper A: General sociology Paper-B: Sociological Theory, Research and Social Problems Grand Total: 100 100 200 PAPER-A GENERAL SOCIOLOGY Note: All topics should be covered in the context of Pakistani Society. 1. a) b) c) d) 2. Introduction Definition of Sociology. Subject Matter. Relationship of Sociology with Other Social Sciences. Utility and Application of Sociology. Social Groups a) Types of Groups (Primary and Secondary Groups, in groups, Out-groups, formal Groups, Informal Groups. b) Distinction between social groups and social categories. c) Other related concepts (Reference Groups, Locality Groups, Society) Social Interaction a) Definition. b) Importance of social interaction. c) Process of Social Interaction (cooperation, competition, conflict, Assimilation, Accommodation and Acculturation). Social Norms a) Definition b) Types of social Norms (Folkways, Mores, (Amar-o-Nahi), Laws c) Other related concepts (Deviancy, Social Control, Social Sanctions, Taboos, Values and Beliefs) Status and Role a) Definition b) Types of Status and Role (Achieved and Ascribed) c) Related concepts (Role Conflict, Role Playing) Culture Definition Elements of culture(traits, patterns, complexes, ethos) Types of culture (Non-material and material, ideal and real Cultural Uniformity and Cultural Variability Other related concepts (sub-culture, cultural relativism, Ethnocentrism) 3. 4. 5. 6. a) b) c) d) e) 7. a) b) c) d) 8. Socialization and...
Words: 707 - Pages: 3
... |0 |0 |1.0 | |MUP1103 |Housing & Community Planning |3 |0 |0 |1.0 | |MUP1105 |Planning Theory and Techniques |3 |0 |0 |1.0 | |TRS1017 |GIS with introduction to Remote Sensing |3 |0 |0 |1.0 | | Sessional / Laboratory subjects | |MUP1102 |Planning Studio / Workshop I (With Field study) |0 |0 |12 |1.5 | |MUP 1104 |Urban Design |0 |0 |4 |0.5 | |Non-Credit Laboratory subject | |TRS1018 |GIS Lab |0 |0 |4 |0.5 | |...
Words: 6033 - Pages: 25
...peer reviewed articles. NRS-433V Module 1 DQ 2 What similarities and differences can you identify between the nursing process and the research process? NRS-433V Module 2 DQ 1 The theoretical foundations of qualitative and quantitative methods are very different, but many researchers believe both methods should be used in the research study to increase validity and reliability. What advantages or disadvantages do you see in using both types of methods in a nursing study? Support your answer with current evidence-based literature. NRS-433V Module 2 DQ 2 Nursing research is used to study a dilemma or a problem in nursing. Examine a problem you have seen in nursing. Why should it be studied? Justify your rationale. NRS-433V Module 3 DQ 1 The three types of qualitative research are phenomenological, grounded theory, and ethnographic research. What are the differences and similarities between two of the three types of studies? NRS-433V Module 3 DQ 2 Qualitative data has been described as voluminous and sometimes overwhelming to the researcher. In what ways could a researcher manage and organize the data? NRS-433V Module 4 DQ 1 Extraneous variables may have an influence on the dependent variable. In what ways do researchers attempt to control extraneous variables? Support your answer with current literature. NRS-433V Module 4 DQ 2 Using established guidelines,...
Words: 4258 - Pages: 18
...Macmillan Ltd. All rights reserved 0268-3962/05 $30.00 palgrave-journals.com/jit Research article A critical analysis of decision support systems research David Arnott1, Graham Pervan2 1 2 Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Australia Correspondence: G Pervan, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Australia. Tel: þ 618-92667390; Fax: þ 618-92663076; E-mail: pervang@cbs.curtin.edu.au Abstract This paper critically analyses the nature and state of decision support systems (DSS) research. To provide context for the analysis, a history of DSS is presented which focuses on the evolution of a number of sub-groupings of research and practice: personal DSS, group support systems, negotiation support systems, intelligent DSS, knowledge management-based DSS, executive information systems/business intelligence, and data warehousing. To understand the state of DSS research an empirical investigation of published DSS research is presented. This investigation is based on the detailed analysis of 1,020 DSS articles published in 14 major journals from 1990 to 2003. The analysis found that DSS publication has been falling steadily since its peak in 1994 and the current publication rate is at early 1990s levels. Other findings include that personal DSS and group support systems dominate research activity and data warehousing is the least published type of DSS. The journal DSS is the major publishing outlet; US ‘Other’ journals dominate...
Words: 15413 - Pages: 62
...PART I WHAT IS RESEARCH DESIGN? 1 THE CONTEXT OF DESIGN Before examining types of research designs it is important to be clear about the role and purpose of research design. We need to understand what research design is and what it is not. We need to know where design ®ts into the whole research process from framing a question to ®nally analysing and reporting data. This is the purpose of this chapter. Description and explanation Social researchers ask two fundamental types of research questions: 1 2 What is going on (descriptive research)? Why is it going on (explanatory research)? Descriptive research Although some people dismiss descriptive research as `mere description', good description is fundamental to the research enterprise and it has added immeasurably to our knowledge of the shape and nature of our society. Descriptive research encompasses much government sponsored research including the population census, the collection of a wide range of social indicators and economic information such as household expenditure patterns, time use studies, employment and crime statistics and the like. Descriptions can be concrete or abstract. A relatively concrete description might describe the ethnic mix of a community, the changing age pro®le of a population or the gender mix of a workplace. Alternatively 2 WHAT IS RESEARCH DESIGN? the description might ask more abstract questions such as `Is the level of social inequality increasing or declining?', `How secular is society...
Words: 5593 - Pages: 23
...Published Online December 2015 in SciRes. http://www.scirp.org/journal/jss http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/jss.2015.312014 Review of Family Functioning Liangtie Dai, Lingna Wang School of Management, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China Received 25 November 2015; accepted 19 December 2015; published 22 December 2015 Copyright © 2015 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Abstract This article introduces the theories of family functions, including two kind of theory. The first is result oriented, defining family functioning by specific features of family. The second is process oriented, describing family function from the tasks families need to complete. The authors review Olson annular mode theory and Beavers system theory as representatives of result oriented family function. Then, the authors introduce McMaster family functioning mode theory and Skinner’s Family process model theory as representatives of process oriented family function. At the end of this paper, the authors analyze some possible research directions in the future. Keywords Family Functioning, Result Oriented Family Function, Process Oriented Family Function, Measure 1. Introduction and Overview Family is not only the basic unit of society, but also an important place for individual physical and mental growth. A family is made up of every member in the family. At the same time...
Words: 3984 - Pages: 16
...characteristic of grounded theory. 2. ------------------------------------------------- To critically evaluate the methodology of grounded theory. Grounded Theory Grounded theory was developed in 1960’s by two sociologist, (Glaser and Strauss, 1967) one of whom (Strauss) had strong theoretical training in symbolic interaction. One of their earliest studies was grounded theory on dying in hospitals in which the prime controllable variable was characterized as “awareness context”. Definition of Grounded theory Glaser and Strauss(1967) • GT is the discovery of theory from data systematically obtained from social research. • The strategy used in this discovery process is method of constant comparative analysis. • The purpose of GT is to explain the data (concepts) (Strauss and Corbin 1990) • GT is inductively derived from the study of the phenomenon it represents (instead of starting out with a theory and proving it) • Data, analysis and theory are constantly interacting (having a “dialogue” with each other not isolated but are parts of a conversation) • The purpose of using GT method is to develop a theory from the data being examined (theory fits what is seen in the data) Grounded theory is a type of qualitative research methodology that allows theory/theories to emerge from the data that is collected. Grounded theory research follows a systematic yet flexible process to collect data, code the data, make connections and see what theory/theories are generated or are...
Words: 1341 - Pages: 6
...Comparison of Research Designs Capella University Comparison of Research Designs Template The following seven tables are part of a template that will guide you through the comparison of research designs assignment. The tables include: • Descriptions of basic research designs. • Types of basic research designs. • Main characteristics. • Followed steps. • Appropriate usage. • Purpose statement and sample questions. • Associated research paradigms. This template directs you to portions of the course text, Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research (Creswell, 2008). Each table includes chapter numbers and page numbers to guide you to the most relevant sections of the text book. Reference Creswell, J. W. (2012). Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research (4rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Descriptions of Basic Research Designs Develop an original and concise description of each research design. The appropriate sections of the Creswell text are listed to guide you; however, the end product should be your own paraphrase. Each description should be about one to three sentences in length. The first part of the chart has been completed for you as an example of how to proceed. You can leave it in the first cell and consider it to be part of your assignment...
Words: 3981 - Pages: 16
...provides a summary of the data that has been collected over the years through experimentation, literature reviews, qualitative research, and the results that have been construed from that data will be presented. It discusses the concept of the effects of bariatric surgery and answers the question - do people who have the surgery have better health outcomes, specifically with hypertension and type II diabetes mellitus, than those who do not? A summary of research reveals that there is a significant reduction and/or total remission of both of these co-morbidities that were often life long. Other benefits, such as quality of life, social standings, and healthcare cost reduction are examined and positively reported. Review of current data to include strengths and weaknesses, conceptual frameworks, and the current state of knowledge reveal that bariatric procedures have shown the efficacy and safety in the treatment of morbid obesity and have gained wider acceptance in the medical world. Synthesis of Bariatric Surgery and the Effects on Comorbidities For years people have turned to diets in an effort to lose weight and get healthier. At no time has that been more the case than in America today. People spend billions of dollars a year trying to lose weight and the numbers are not encouraging. The prevalence in obesity with related Type II Diabetes and Hypertension is growing at an alarming rate, calling for other alternatives such as crash diets and extreme...
Words: 3074 - Pages: 13
...com/shop/cmp9500b-comprehensive-exam-solution/ Question 1: Theory Theories play a vitally important role in guiding research and organizing and making sense of research findings. In spite of the great importance of theory-building and theory testing within your field of specialization, there is no generally accepted conception of what a theory is. Because your dissertation must contribute to theory, you must have a clear understanding of the variety of conceptions of theory, types of theories, and ways of contributing to theory and be able to justify how, exactly, your study contributes to theory. Part 1 Using Gelso (2006), Harlow (2009), Stam, H. (2007, 2010), Wacker (1999), and five additional peer-reviewed articles from your specialization, discuss scholarly views on the nature and types of theory. Compare and contrast at least three views of what constitutes a theory, including the view you will use in Part 3 of this question. Be sure to distinguish theory from related concepts, such as hypothesis, paradigm, model, and concept. Part 2 Using Ellis & Levy (2008), Harlow, E. (2009), and five additional peer-reviewed articles, review the scholarly literature on the relationship between theory and research and the ways research (quantitative and qualitative) can contribute to theory. Discuss at least three ways research can contribute to theory. Part 3 Pick a theory (in one of the views of what constitutes a theory that you identified in Part 1) of current interest directly...
Words: 1585 - Pages: 7
...emeraldinsight.com/1176-6093.htm Research in management accounting innovations An overview of its recent development Nur Haiza Muhammad Zawawi Department of Accounting and Finance, University of Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia and School of Accounting, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia, and Management accounting innovations 505 Zahirul Hoque School of Accounting, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia Abstract Purpose – The purpose of paper is to present a review of the literature on management accounting innovations (MAIs). Specifically, it explores recent developments in research on MAIs and offers suggestions for future research. The review differs from existing reviews by its specific focus on MAIs and the recent time period covered. In this paper, MAIs refer to the adoption of “newer” or modern forms of management accounting systems such as activity-based costing (ABC), activity-based management, time-driven ABC, target costing, and balanced scorecards. Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents a review of findings from journal articles published in 22 notable accounting journals. Findings – The review finds that research on MAIs has intensified during the period 2000-2008, with the main focus on exploring the extent to which a host of organizational and environmental factors influence the implementation and use of MAIs in organizations. In addition, research on MAIs indicates the dominant use of sociological theories and increasing use of empirical/field...
Words: 21564 - Pages: 87
...office. 2. Transformational Leadership- Describes how effective leaders inspire and transform followers by appealing to their ideals and emotions. Appeals to moral values of followers in an attempt to raise their consciousness about ethical issues. Transformational behaviors include Idealized influence, Individualized consideration, Inspirational motivation, and Intellectual stimulation. 3. Transactional Leadership- Motivates followers by appealing to their self-interest and exchanging benefits. Their values are relevant in the exchange process, such as honesty, fairness, responsibility, and reciprocity. Transactional behaviors include Contingent reward, Active management by exception, and Passive management by exception. 4. Ethical...
Words: 1325 - Pages: 6