Fall Semester 2020

Research Theory and Concept

Instructor:
Prof. Muhammad Aftab

International Graduate School Masters in Global Techno Entrepreneurship

 Fall Semester 2020

Contents:

 Introduction
 Theory and research
 What is Concept?
 The Role of Theory
 Importance of Concept in research
 Variables definition
 Learning outcome
 Discussions
International Graduate School Masters in Global Techno Entrepreneurship
 Fall Semester 2020

Introduction

The purpose of science?

- To expand the knowledge

- The discovery of truth

- To make predictions

International Graduate School Masters in Global Techno Entrepreneurship

 Fall Semester 2020

Theory and Research

 In order to achieve above all goals
research build a theory.

 Every researcher try to build some

concept/terminologies, those are
called theory.

 Theory help us to find answer of

our questions.

 Theory help us to define the

phenomenon.

International Graduate School Masters in Global Techno Entrepreneurship

 Fall Semester 2020

Theory and Research

 With the help of theory we understand the process of
prediction in research.

 Theory is the explanation of the situation.

 Theory is coherent set of general proposition of the

apparent relationships of certain observed phenomenon.

What is Proposition?
A statement concerned with
- The logical relationships among concepts.
- Logic(arguments) abstracted from observed reality.
- Theory is the highest level of abstraction.
- Theory is a network of prepositions.
International Graduate School Masters in Global Techno Entrepreneurship
 Fall Semester 2020

The Role of Theory

 Theory as an orientation, framework phenomenon may
be studied in different ways, It narrows the range of
facts to be studied.

 Theory guide us what data should be collected and why?

 Theory help us in identification of variables.

 It help us in conceptualization and classification of

concepts.

 It provide us empirical generalization.

 Theory help us to find the gap in knowledge.

International Graduate School Masters in Global Techno Entrepreneurship
 Fall Semester 2020

What is Concept
A generalized idea about a class of objects, attributes, occur-
rences, or process that has been given a name.

Building blocks of theory that abstracted reality.

Things we observe  Observable realities  Physical/Abstract

- For purpose of identification of a reality

- We try to give a name to it
- These name we use in communication
- Those names are called concept

Concept are mental images of a reality.

International Graduate School Masters in Global Techno Entrepreneurship

 Fall Semester 2020

Sources of Concept

We create concepts from,

- Personal experiences,

- Speed

- Family

- We get from others

- We develop specialize thinking

International Graduate School Masters in Global Techno Entrepreneurship

 Fall Semester 2020

Importance of Concept

Concepts are important because,

- Concepts are the basics of thoughts

- Basics of communication
- Special problems require us for invention

- We use concepts in hypothesis formulation

Concepts  Prepositions  Theory  Hypothesis

International Graduate School Masters in Global Techno Entrepreneurship

 Fall Semester 2020

Variables Definitions

Definitions Importance:

- Confusions about the meanings of concepts can destroy the value of

the study.
- So definitions are important to reduce this danger.

There are Two types of definitions:

- Dictionary, Theoretical Definitions

- Operational/ Working Definitions

International Graduate School Masters in Global Techno Entrepreneurship

 Fall Semester 2020

Variables Definitions
1- Dictionary Definitions

- It is also called conceptual/theoretical/nominal

- Concepts are also defined with a synonym, use other constructs to
explain construct.

2- Operational/Working Definitions

- In the operational definition it is mandatory to explain the purpose

and use of the specific word or group of words.
Example:
Social Classes, Lower, middle and upper class.
Students, master, bachelor, social science, engineering
Department, specific in terms of operations

International Graduate School Masters in Global Techno Entrepreneurship

 Fall Semester 2020

Variables Definitions
How to write operational definitions?

- Firstly we need to give theoretical definition

- Then we need to identify the dimensions of the variable,
Let say:
Social Class.
- Income
- Occupation
- Education Level
- Property etc.

So in operational definition we need to set a specific testing or measure-

ment criteria.
Concrete indicators that could be observed and measured.

Observation  Construct  Conceptual Definition  Operational Definition

 Data
International Graduate School Masters in Global Techno Entrepreneurship
 Fall Semester 2020

Videos lessons
1-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EzY9ePFfCU&ab_channel=CenterforR
esearchQuality

2-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=uaArhpPwlIA&t=653s&ab_channel=SouthamptonEducationSchool

International Graduate School Masters in Global Techno Entrepreneurship

 Fall Semester 2020

Learning Outcome
So Finally,

- We started with the observational phenomenon.

- We gave a name and reality to a concept to recognize and commu-

nicate in order to strengthen the things we try to define.

- The definitions could be both, operational and theoretical.

- If anyone wants to verify our research he/she should adopt the

same procedure what we did to get the same results. That’s why we
provide data.

- Finally, we have transform our concepts in to a variable.

International Graduate School Masters in Global Techno Entrepreneurship

 Fall Semester 2020

References:

1- Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches

Author: Neuman, W. L.
Publisher: Pearson; 7th edition
2- Research Methods for Business Students
Author: Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis, Adrian Thornhill
Publisher: Pearson; 5th edition
3- Wikipedia
4- Google scholar
5- By others.

International Graduate School Masters in Global Techno Entrepreneurship

 Fall Semester 2020

International Graduate School Masters in Global Techno Entrepreneurship