1. RESEARCH METHODS Lecture 5

2. CONCEPTS AND VARIABLES

3. Concept Things we observe  Observable
realities  physical or abstract
For purposes of identification of a
reality we try to give a name to it.
By using name we communicate
with others. Part of language
Names are constructs.
These constructs are concepts.

4. Concepts are mental images of reality
Concept is an idea expressed as symbol or in words.
Words are also symbols.
Agreement to represent ideas by sounds or written words.
Concepts can be symbols.

5. An Abstraction of reality
Table, leadership, productivity, morale are all labels given to some phenomenon (reality) 
Concepts stand for phenomenon not the phenomenon itself.
It may be called an abstraction of empirical reality.

6. Concepts are Abstractions of Reality
Level
Empirical
Level
OBSERVATION OF OBJECTS
AND EVENTS (REALITY)

7. Degree of Abstraction
Moving up the ladder of abstraction, the basic concept becomes more abstract, wider in scope, and less measurable.

8. A Ladder Of Abstraction For Concepts
Vegetation
Fruit
Increasingly more abstract
Banana
Reality

9. Sources of Concepts
We create concepts from personal experience. Mass, speed, family.
We borrow from other disciplines.
We develop a specialized jargon or terminology for a particular subject.

10. Importance to Research
Concepts are basic to all thought and communication.
Special problems grow out of the need for concept precision and inventiveness.
We use concepts in hypothesis formulation.

11. Definitions
Confusions about the meanings of concepts can destroy the value of a study.
Definitions are one way to reduce this danger.
Two types of definitions: Dictionary (theoretical) definition 2. Operational definition.

12. Dictionary definition
Also called as Conceptual/Theoretical/Nominal
Concept is defined with a synonym. Use other constructs to explain a construct.
How to define a “customer,” “client,” “a satisfied worker”?

13. Operational Definition
Working definition: stated in terms of specific testing or measurement criteria.
Concrete indicators that can be observed/measured. Specify empirical indicators.

14. We use both the definitions in research
Observational phenomenon  Construct  Conceptual def.  operational definition  data.

15. RESEARCH METHODS Lecture 5