Conceptualization in Research Inquiry
Research Methods for Social Welfare
Byungdeok Kang
Handong Global University
Review
Selecting a research problem
Refining the problem
Factors related to feasibility
Source of a problem
Literature Review
Units of Analysis
Reactivity
Purposes of research
Types of Research: Quantitative & Qualitative
Time Dimension: Cross-sectional & Longitudinal
Time constraint
Financial constraint
Ways to minimize these problems related to feasibility
Fallacious Reasoning
Ecological fallacy
Data collection: from groups
Conclusion: about individuals
Reductionism
Source of Knowledge
Science / Scientific Practice
Tradition
Authority
Experience
Common Sense
Journalism
Source of Knowledge
Characteristics of Science and Scientific Practice
Empirical
Systematic
Search of causes
Provisional
Objectivity
Logics of Science
Deductive reasoning
Inductive reasoning
Types of Explanation
Nomothetic explanation
Idiographic explanation
Paradigms in Science
Positive approach
Non-positive (interpretive) approach
Perspectives on Science
Inductive logic
Qualitative methods
Non-positive approach
Ideographic explanationDeductive
logic
Quantitative methods
Positive approach
Nomothetic explanation
Relationships among Perspectives
Definition
“Conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions” (Sackett, et al., 1997)
Best practice or scientific practice
Two “WHY” questions
Why do we need this?
Why not guaranteed to work with every client/situation?
Evidence-based Practice
Social Work Research Process
Problem / Idea Theory
Conceptualization
Operationalization
Research Method Sampling
Data Collection
Data Analysis
Application
What is a theory?
“A set of interrelated, abstract propositions or statements that offers a possible (or tentative) explanation of some phenomenon”
Three Key Elements
1. Propositions
2. Abstract systems
3. Explanation
Theories in Research & Practice
Proposition
A person becomes criminal because an excess of definitions favorable to the violation of the law over definitions unfavorable to the violation of the law
Ex. Differential Association Theory of Crime
Concepts?
Relationship?
Explanation?
Functions of Theory
hypotheses
observations
research
findings
intervention
plan
intervention
intervention
outcome
RESEARCH PRACTICE
Tow Main Procedures
Conceptualization
Operationalization
Refining the Research Problem
Operationalization
Topic /
Problem Area
Research
Problem / IdeasConcept
Concept
DefinitionMeasurable
ConceptIndicators
Data
Collection
Selecting a problem Conceptualization
Concept
A mental image that symbolizes and idea, an object, and event, a behavior, a person, and so on
Variable
A concept being investigated that is characterized by different attributes
Hypothesis
A testable statement (more than one possible outcome)
= variables + relationship term
Variables = dependent/independent variables
Relationship = none/linear/nonlinear
Concepts & Hypotheses
Variables Relationship
Independent Variable (IV)
Dependent Variable (DV)
Mediating Variable
Moderating Variable
Positive
Negative
Curvilinear
Textbook PP. 67 - 69
A
A
A
B
B
B
1. Consistency of conceptualization (see the next page)
2. Relevance to the problem
3. Completeness
4. Specificity
5. Potential for testing
Wording of Research Hypotheses
Research Topic - the broad subject area
Research Problem - the specific issue or problem
within a broad topic area
Research Purpose - a statement of the intent or
objective of the study
Research Question - an interrogative sentence
Research Hypothesis - a prediction or best guess to the
research question
Difficulties with written language production
Children with learning disabilities
To investigate the effect that treatment for a learning disability has on the spelling proficiency
of children with a learning disability
What effect does the treatment have on children with a learning disability?
Children with learning disabilities who participate in the treatment will be more likely to receive higher spelling proficiency sores than children
who do not participate.
Examples of Hypotheses
Hypotheses Make it better …
People who hold college degrees have a high level of self-awareness.
?
Women under age thirty are more assertive.
?
Good teacher will exhibit leadership within the classroom
?
Examples of Hypotheses
Hypotheses Better
People who hold college degrees have a high level of self-awareness.
People who hold college degrees will be more likely to receive a score of more than 80 on the scale of self-awareness than those who do not hold a college degree.
Women under age thirty are more assertive.
Women under age thirty are more assertive than women thirty and older.
Good teacher will exhibit leadership within the classroom
Teachers who post office hours are more likely to receive higher teaching evaluations than those who do not post office hours.
Levels
Characteristics of Categories
Mutually Exclusive
Inherent Order
Equal Spacing
True
Zero
Nominal
Ordinal
Interval
Ratio
Conceptualization in Qualitative
Inquiry
Qualitatively oriented researchers do not restrict their observation to predetermined operational indicators.
Because …
Causality
Why particular forms of behavior occur
Causal Relationship
1. A statistical association
2. Time order
3. Not spurious relationship
Cause-and-Effect Relationship