srakaig.blogg.se - Quant theory

#QUANT THEORY HOW TO#

On the other hand, a hypothesis is forward-looking in that it is a statement of what the researcher predicts will happen after carrying out the study.Ī theory is broad and includes sets of assumptions, predictions, facts and laws. hypothesisĪ theory differs from a hypothesis in the following ways:Ī theory has historical existence whereas a hypothesis does not: theories have been established and have existed over time after repeated observation and testing. These two constructs refer to two different aspects of adoption of technology so they will be measured differently. The way constructs are defined will also influence how they will be measured.ĭegree of adoption of technology as a construct will be measured differently from ease of adoption of technology as a different construct. Good constructs should also be defined in the context of existing literature.

Good constructs should be distinct: this will help the researcher clearly articulate the effect of a construct on other variables of the study.

In order to build a robust quantitative study that has strong theoretical foundations, a researcher must come up with well-conceived constructs. It is important for researchers and PhD students to understand the difference between concepts and constructs.Ī concept is an abstract idea whereas a construct converts the concept into something measurable.Ĭoncepts are used in qualitative research while constructs are used in quantitative research.Īdoption of technology = concept (cannot be measured quantitatively)ĭegree of adoption of technology = construct (can be measured quantitatively) Testable: a good theory can be tested using existing data.Fit with data: a good theory should fit with known data and facts.Internally consistent: a good theory has some consistency in explaining and predicting phenomena.

Validated: a good theory has been validated and accepted widely by the scientific community.

Useful: in the sense that it provides some guide for its users to understand the phenomenon they are investigating.

How does a researcher/student know which theory is good or bad?Ī good theory has the following characteristics: Most phenomena or topics of study have more than one theory that try to explain them. There are many theories that scholars have come up with to explain their phenomena of study.

Predict the phenomenon under investigation.

Understand the phenomenon under investigation.

Explain the phenomenon under investigation.

“A theory shows how and why certain phenomena occur” The purpose of theory in academic research “A theory is a statement of concepts and how those concepts are related to each other” “A theory is a set of ideas which help explain things” “A theory is a set of propositions which help explain a certain phenomenon” Theories have been defined in various ways by different scholars:

Final thoughts on the role of theory in quantitative research.

Making theoretical contribution in quantitative research.

The role of theory in quantitative research.

The purpose of theory in academic research.

#QUANT THEORY HOW TO#

In this article, I discuss the definition of theory, the purpose of theory in academic research, characteristics of a good theory, the difference between a theory and a hypothesis, and how to make theoretical contribution in quantitative research. It is what differentiates academic work from consultancy work. Theory plays an important role in academic work.