Research Skills Summary
Chapter 1/2 Why Science
3 features of science:
1. Systematic Empiricism = learning based on observation, and scientist learn
about the world – including other humans – systematically.
2. Empirical questions = questions about the way the world is.
3. Creating public knowledge – publishing your work.
→ Publication is essential because, 1 collaboration, 2 self-correcting.
3 goals of science:
1. Describe
2. Explain
3. Predict
Scientific research can be:
- Basic research = achieving a more detailed and accurate understanding, without
addressing some practical problem.
- Applied research = research to address some practical problem.
Chapter 3 Thinking like a researcher
Explanations require development of concepts = generalizable properties or
characteristics associated with objects, events, or people. (A car is an object, but a cars
weight is a concept).
Construct = an abstract concept that is specifically chosen (or created) to explain a
given phenomenon.
- Unidimensional construct = one underlying concept.
- Multidimensional construct = multiple underlying concepts.
- Conceptual definition = defining a construct on an abstract and theoretical
level.
- Operational definition = defining a construct very specific how you will measure
it. Necessary when collecting and analyzing data.
Variable = a measurable representation of an abstract construct (e.g. Intelligence is a
construct, and IQ score is a variable).
See illustration be low.
- Theoretical plane > discuss constructs, conceptual definitions and propositions
in an abstract sense
- Empirical plane > constructs have operational definitions, are measured by
variables, about which we may have hypotheses.
→ a researcher moves back and forth between these planes.
1
,Types of variables:
- Independent variables = variables explain other variables (cause)
- Dependent variables = variables who are explains by other variables (effect).
- Mediating variables (intermediate variables) = variables are explained by
independent variables but explain dependent variables. Helps understand the
mechanism/ process through which something works.
e.g. service quality (IV), I hypothesize that service quality influences customer loyalty
(DV). I have a specific idea on how service quality influences customer loyalty but works
through customer satisfaction (customers a more satisfied by higher service, and more
satisfied customers become more loyal). Customer satisfaction is MV.
- Moderating variables (moderator) = variable that strengthens or weakens the
effect of another variable and can change de direction of the effect.
- Control variables = variables that consider in a scientific study but are otherwise
not of main interest.
Conceptual model = the overall network of relationships between a set of related
constructs.
Chapter 3/4 Thinking like a researcher/ Conceptual model
Proposition = the relationships between the constructs in a conceptual model.
Hypothesis = the empirical formulations of propositions, stated as relationships
between variables. Hypothesis should clearly specify independent and dependent
variable.
‘+ sign’= two variables ‘move together’ in de same direction
‘- sign’ = variables move in the opposite direction.
2
, Theory = a set of systematically collection of related theoretical propositions. Explain a
phenomenon.
Model = a representation of all or part of a system that is constructed to study that
system. Tries to represent a phenomenon.
Deduction = the process of drawing conclusions about a phenomenon or behavior
based on theoretical or logical reasons and an initial set of premises.
Induction = the process of drawing conclusions based on facts or observed evidence.
Chapter 7 Model of scientific research
Green arrows: If you have a problem, you can search for previous research/literature and
then go to your empirical study. This is not necessary.
Chapter 8 Finding a research topic
Research questions are in general focused on some behavior or business
characteristics.
Three sources of information:
- Informal observations – direct observations of our own and others behavior as
well as secondhand observations form non-scientific sources such as
newspapers, books etc.
- Practical problems
- Previous research (most common)
3
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