study unit 2: The role of theory in research

Question 1

Define theory

Answer 1

a conceptual framework that provides an explanation of certain occurrences or phenomena.

Question 2

what are concepts

Answer 2

concepts identify and describe phenomena. Concepts are

therefore the starting point of theorising

Question 3

what is the scope of theory

Answer 3

The scope of a theory refers to how much it explains, or to how many different contexts the theory can explain

The scope of a theory is linked to the level of abstraction achieved by the concepts in the theory

Question 4

distinguish between empirical generalisation, middle-range theory and theoretical frameworks

Answer 4

Empirical generalisations classify, summarise and organise observations. This type of generalisation is the first step towards abstraction, but remains close to the concrete information the researcher has collected. The generalisability of the relationship proposed between phenomena is limited.

Middle range theory begins to organise empirical observations in a way that it explains the relationships between them in more general terms.

Theoretical perspectives give an overall explanation; this means that a particular study only provides partial evidence to support or question some of that perspective’s propositions.

Question 5

What is deduction and induction

Answer 5

Deduction involves the process of testing general ideas (theory). This is done by finding out whether abstract, logical relationships apply to specific, concrete contexts. During the process of deduction, general ideas are linked to empirical evidence.

induction involves using specific and concrete observations to develop abstract, logical relationships between phenomena. Induction implies the process of building theory. In the case of induction, the researcher develops new concepts and specifies the relationships between them on the basis of the evidence collected

Question 6

what is the process of theoretical research

Answer 6

deciding on a topic; conducting a literature review; focusing on a specific problem; and formulating a testable hypothesis

Question 7

what 2 factors influence research topic choice

Answer 7

the social significance
social significance of research is linked to its practical relevance. Research opportunities often arise out of pressing social issues. In this respect the research should help to solve a specific problem

scientific significance
The long-term contribution that research can make to the development of theories gives research academic significance. Research that is scientifically significant is undertaken to develop.knowledge in a particular field, regardless of its immediate practical usefulness

personal interest, the need to solve a particular problem and the need to develop theories

Question 8

define hypothesis

Answer 8

a testable statement about the relationship between variables

Question 9

define causality

Answer 9

that one thing leads to another — in our case, that the presence, absence or change of one variable determines the presence, absence or change of another variable

Question 10

what are the 4 factors that determine causality

Answer 10

1. First, the cause should become apparent or change in some way before the effect, or any change in the effect, is observed. This suggests that there should be a time delay between the cause and the effect.
2. Second, the variation (change) in the phenomena linked should occur in both the cause and the effect. This suggests that the cause and effect are associated. However, we have to make sure that no spurious factors are operating. Because, if such factors are operating, the assumed relationship between the cause and effect will then be false.
3. The third condition, therefore, is that all possible factors influencing the relationship between the phenomena linked must be taken into consideration. By eliminating all other possible explanations we can have more confidence that there is a cause-and-effect relationship between the phenomena. All three of these conditions mentioned need to be met before we can establish causality. However, the third condition, namely that we should exclude alternatives, is never complete. It is an ongoing process because new explanations continue to crop up as our knowledge develops.
4. Fourth, the rationale for the proposed relationship between phenomena should be based on careful reasoning

Question 11

what is meant by variables

Answer 11

A variable is a concept that has characteristics that can change, that is, take more than one value. These values can change quantitatively or qualitatively.

Question 12

state what are dependent and independent variables

Answer 12

dependent variable: the variable that is influenced or changed; the effect

independent variable: the variable that influences or changes the dependent variable; the cause

Question 13

what is an intervening variable

Answer 13

intervening

variable: a variable that is the effect of one variable and the cause of another variable