1. Intro to Research Methods
SPH-X590  Spring 2015
The Role of Theories in Research
Concepts & Conceptualization

2. Presentation Outline The Research Process The Dimensions of Research
Review of Objectives and Questions
Conceptualization and Operationalization
Concepts
Variables
Level of Measurement
Roles

3. General Review of The Research Process:
T H E OR Y
Step 1:
Identification of Area of Study: Topics & Subject
Step 2:
Conducting the Literature Review: Objectives & Context
Step 3:
Forming the Research Questions & Deriving Hypotheses: Concepts & Variables
Step 4:
Selection of Methods to Be Used: Study Design -Data Collection Methods & Analysis
Step 5:
Establishing Procedures to Be Followed: Recruitment, Sampling & Ethics
Step 6:
Collect the Data: Instruments & Management
Step 7:
Analyses of The Data: Statistics
Step 8:
Write The Research Report: Publication & Presentation

4. The Dimensions of Research: A movement from the theoretical to analytical
Theories
Propositions
Concepts
Hypotheses
Empiricism
Deductive
Reasoning
Inductive
Scientific Method

5. Research Project Proposals: Objectives to Questions
The research objectives specified in order to understand the subject of your research project indicate the type of your research you are going to be conducting.
If I want to evaluate the effectiveness of a weight reduction program, I am conducting evaluative research.
Evaluate research questions
How did the program preform?
What was the effect on weight reduction among my population?
The effect on other outcomes
In comparison to other programs?

6. Conceptualization of Questions: Theories and Concepts
How I answer these questions is the Research Methodology.
The first step of Methodology is Theory.
Theory is a set of statements or principles devised to explain a group of facts or phenomena.
Some theories are testable and others are not.
Scientific theory is a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world, based on a body of facts that have been repeatedly confirmed through observation and experiment.
Such fact-supported theories are not "guesses" but reliable accounts of the real world.
We rely on scientific theories and concepts to guide Methodology.

7. Conceptualization of Questions: Theories and Concepts
All research involves theories and/or theoretical concepts.
Social, Life and Natural Sciences
Research involves the operationalization of concepts into variables, making statements about the relationship between variables, and then testing that relationship.
…..To This
How we go from This…
Turns subjective experiences into objective reality!

8. Conceptualization of Questions: Theories and Concepts
A theory can be explicit.
They identify important concepts and specify the relationship between concepts.
They specify how concepts are operationalized (i.e. become variables) and the relationship between variables.
Eg. The Theory of Relativity, The Theory of Reasoned Action, Cost/Benefit
A theory can be implicit.
They specify particular concepts and their operationalization.
The relationship between the concepts is implied.
Disciplines can be thought of as theories.
Disciplines focus on particular concepts.
Eg. Disease Exposure and Disease Outcome
Eg. High Blood Pressure and Myocardial Infarction
Eg. Speed, Time and Distance

9. Conceptualization of Questions: Theories and Concepts
What is a concept?
A variety of definitions
A concept is "an abstraction based on characteristics of perceived reality.“
(Belmont, California: Wadsworth Thompson, 2006, p.25)
"a label we put on a phenomenon that enables us to link separate observations and to make generalizations… a name we give to observations and events"
(Louise G. White, Political Analysis, 2nd ed. Pacific Grove, California: Brooks Cole, 1990.)
A practical definition
Concepts are the pictures/ideas in our heads
Justice, Beauty, Inequality, Exposure, Health, Relativity, etc.

10. Theories & Concepts: Example of Conceptualization
Somethings are easy to conceptualize.
Directly observed
For example, “Blood Pressure”, “Examination Grade”, “Annual Income” A B C D F
Pass/ Fail
$450K annual

11. Theories & Concepts: Example of Conceptualization
Other things take a bit more effort.
The word “BEAUTY” conjures up different images in each of our minds.

12. Theories & Concepts:
In research, our disciplines specify important/explicit theories or help us conceptualize ideas and subsequent relationships.
In fact, a scientific contribution is one that expands the theory of a discipline.

13. Theories & Concepts: Example of Conceptualization
For example, if we relied on Medicine and the field of Psychiatry to help us conceptualize “Beauty”, then we start thinking about “Beauty” as “Facial Symmetry”.
Like picking out which use of a word listed in a dictionary for its definition.

14. Theories & Concepts: Example of Conceptualization
At this point in the research process, I may want to state my postulates (aka conceptual hypotheses)
Postulate is a statement about the relationship between concepts.
Think of it as a mini-theory.
For example, I think “Beauty” and “Success” are related.
This is a theory! =
Still too broad! I have to begin putting some hard edges around these concepts.

15. Theories & Concepts: Example of Conceptualization
I will rely on Psychiatry to conceptualize “Beauty” as “Facial Symmetry” and Economics to conceptualize “Success” as “Income”.
Facial Symmetry and Income are directly observed.
affects

16. Theories & Concepts: Explicit Theory
Much of social science research tries to explain the decisions people make.
Much of these explanations rely on explicit theories to guide research.
For example, I want to understand what motivates young people to use condoms.
In health behavioral research, scientists often rely a socio-cognitive theory to conceptualize the decision making process.
One such theory is the Theory of Reasoned Action (TORA)

17. Theories & Concepts: The Theory of Reasoned Action (TORA)
TORA Relationships
Health Behavior is the product of Behavioral Intention.
Behavioral Intention is the product of Behavioral Attitudes and Behavioral Subjective Norms.
Behavioral Attitudes and Behavioral Subjective Norms affect one another.
TORA Postulates
The greater the Behavioral Intention, the greater the frequency of the Behavior
The more positive the Behavioral Attitudes and Behavioral Subjective Norms, the greater the Behavioral Intention
The greater the Behavioral Subjective Norms, the more positive the Behavioral Attitudes
The more positive the Behavioral Attitudes, the greater the Behavioral Subjective Norms
TORA Concepts
Attitude- Beliefs about the Consequences of the Behavior
Subjective Norm- Beliefs about what others think of the behavior
Intention- The Likelihood of Engaging in the Behavior
Behavior- The Actual Behavior/ Activity

18. Theories & Concepts: The Theory of Reasoned Action (TORA)
Gender
Race/ Ethnicity
Education
Other Concepts
The Theory of Reasoned Action and Other Concepts
TORA provides a framework in which to conceptualize relationships between TORA concepts other demographic, economic, behavioral etc. states and traits.
Things can get very complicated so important to have an explicit theoretical framework guide the data collection methods and analytical techniques.
Next step is operationalization of concepts- how concepts become variables
measures and hypotheses!