Relationship between Theory and Research - Essay Example

? Relationship between theory and research Relationship between theory and research Theory development and research are interdependent. The relationship between the two can be termed as dialectic whereby theory determines what data to be collected, and research finding provide challenges to the accepted theories. Research is the method used to gather information needed for the theory. This is efficient regardless of the purpose; that is, to either test or generate a theory. Both research and theory enhance thinking and communicate systematic research. Its importance is to foster exchange of ideas, creation of ideas and exchange of ideas and research findings that will expand knowledge and comprehension of the aims, conditions and effects of the findings and social relations (Ellis and Yair, 2008). Categories of Theory and Research The relationship between research and theory can be explained further by evaluating the research designs utilised to develop the various theories that exist. Descriptive theory is relational or explanatory. The designs in research that generate and elaborate these are experimental, descriptive, correlational and respectively. Relationship between descriptive research and theory Descriptive theories are the most common theories. They classify or describe characteristics or dimensions of an individual, group, situation, or event by summarizing similarities found in discrete observations. Descriptive theories mostly required when remarkably little about the phenomenon under discussion (Ellis and Yair, 2008). Descriptive theory described into two categories, that is, classification and naming. A classification theory is elaborate in that it defines how the characteristics or dimensions of a given phenomenon interrelated structurally. Naming theories describe the characteristics or dimensions of some phenomenon. The dimensions may be exclusive, overlapping, mutually exclusive or sequential. A classification theory can be mostly referred to as taxonomies or typologies. A descriptive theory is tested and generated by descriptive research. This research usually referred to as explanatory research. Explanatory research specifically directed towards knowing the existing characteristics of the real world relative to the question being researching upon. A descriptive may or may not use an empirical method. Non empirical methods include historic and philosophic inquiries. Philosophic inquiries classify and describe phenomena through critical discussion. Moreover, historical research directed towards the description of phenomena that occurred at an earlier time (Harlow, 2011). A descriptive study employing the empirical method involves observation of a phenomenon in its natural setting. Data gathered by a participant or a non participant observation, as well as by structured interview schedule, questionnaires or by open ended. The raw data gathered in a descriptive study may be quantitative or qualitative. Quantitative data usually analyzed by various parametric or non parametric measures of central tendency and variability. Qualitative data may be analyzed by a means of content analysis. This technique sorts data into a priori category or into a category that emerge during the analysis (Kerlinger, & Lee, 2000). Empirical- descriptive research involves surveys, ethnographies, case studies and phenomenological studies. A case study is a systematic and intensive investigation of many factors for a group, a community or a small number of individuals. Surveys yield accurate and factual descriptions of an intact phenomenon. Surveys use structured instruments for collecting data although open ended questions may be included in the instrument (Harlow, 2011). The method of grounded theory yields a description of social situations and processes in those social situations. Every piece of data constantly compares with every other piece in order to discover the dominant social processes that characterize the phenomenon under study. Ethnography yields a theory of cultural behavior for a particular society. Emphasis on describing the group’s way of life, from the perspectives of the group members, the method of phenomenology incorporates a description of human experiences. An investigator gathers information without preconceived expectations or a priori definition of terms. Emphasis on understanding individuals’ cognitive and the effects of those perceptions on behavior should be encouraged Relationship between correlational research and relational theory: Relational theories specify relations between dimensional or characteristics of individuals, groups, situations, or events. They explain how the parts of a phenomenon relates to one another. However, these theories can be enhanced further only after the essential characteristics of a phenomenon known as, that is, only after descriptive theories should be validated and developed. Correlation research develops relational theories. This helps one to discover what is happening, and to what extent the characteristics available tend to occur together. Therefore, correlational studies use the empirical method. They require measurement of the dimensions or characteristics of phenomena in their natural states. Surveys and interviews are two frequently used approaches. Data usually gathered by a non participant observation or self report measures. However, instruments usually fixes choice observation checklists standardizes questionnaires and rating scales. The instruments yield quantitative qualitative data. Because numbers must be attached to the raw data so that correlation coefficients can be calculated, qualitative data must be categorized, and the numbers must be assigned to their respective categories. Statistical analyses of the data employ various parametric and non parametric measures of association (Ellis and Yair, 2008). Relationship between experimental and explanatory research: Explanatory theory move beyond relational statements in the forecasting of precise relationships between characteristics or dimensions of a differences between groups. Therefore, this theory addresses “cause and effect” of changes in a phenomenon hence explanatory theory may be developed after relational theories have been formulated. Explanatory theories generates experimental research. Experimental research also employs the empirical methods of experimentation. To discover the effect of some dimension, manipulation of some phenomenon should be involved. Experimentation involves many different designs which include pre experiments such as unpreventable control group design; true experiments and time series analysis. Experiment research like co relational research requires quantifiable data. This is because a numbers determines if an experimental treatment makes a difference, and if so, how much of a difference; for their inferential mechanism. The data should be collected by a standardized research instruments with calibrated scores. Moreover, parametric statistical techniques such as analysis of variance are most frequently used to analyze the data. In addition to this experimental research also includes the many studies of the effects of various information give prior to a medical or surgical procedure on post procedure outcomes. Choice of a research design The choice of a research design is dependable on the current state of theory development and the question asked. In case, the researcher little knows about the phenomenon to be investigated, a descriptive theory –generating research which is the requirement. However, if the phenomenon adequately explains, but its relationships with other phenomena is not well defined, correlational studies should be used. Moreover, if the phenomenon adequately defines itself and its relationship with other phenomena is not well defined, experiments are appropriate. This may seem to be self evident, but because the pressure to solve practical problems usually celebrated in the professional disciplines, such as education, nursing and medicine, it is advisable to begin with experiments that will determine the efficacy of an action taken by a practitioner, despite the absence of theoretical explanations for the effects of the actions. Although the heuristic value of such studies can be accepted, the temptation to rush to experiments should be resisted if the goal of the discipline is the development of a logical and meaningful body of knowledge (Harlow, 2011). Research should be theory based. Although this assertion would seem too many as not controversial, it is easy to find research studies without grounding of the theory. However, some would claim that theory is not crucial, because research should aim at answering less elaborate questions that would likely appeal to practitioners. Nevertheless, theory driven research is significant for the development and growth of the discipline which is research lies upon. Theory helps in guiding research, practice, curriculum development, evaluation and help develop effective instructional strategies and tactics. References Harlow, E. (2011). "C ontribution, Theoretical." Encyclopedia of Case Study Research. 2009. SAGE Publications. 12 Nov. 2011. . Ellis, T. and Yair, Y. (2008). Framework of Problem-Based Research: A Guide for Novice Researchers on the Development of a Research-Worthy Problem. Kerlinger, F. N., & Lee, H. B. (2000). Foundations of behavioral research (4th ed.). Holt, NY: Harcourt College Publishers. Read More