BASIREC

The Language of Research

(Preparation to Writing of
Concept Paper)
Session 3
Decision Sciences and Innovation
Department
RVR College of Business
DLSU

Outline
a. Recap
b. Brief Introduction to Concept Paper
c. Closer Look at the Language of
Research

Recap

Research Problem
Research Objectives
Significance of the Study
Scope and Limitations of the Study

WHAT IS A CONCEPT
PAPER?
(5% of Final Grade)

A paper that is submitted for review prior

to submission of actual research proposal.
This is a way for researchers to obtain
feedback on their initial ideas and
concepts.
From a funding agencys point of view, the
paper will help research applicants develop
more competitive proposals and eliminate
those proposals that are not likely to be
funded.

FORMAT OF CONCEPT
PAPER
It should be word-processed and double
spaced using ARIAL font 12.
The paper should be no more than 3 pages in
length but no less than 1 page. There is no
need for a cover page.
It should include the following:I. RATIONALE
II. RESEARCH PROBLEM/s
III. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES (General &
Specific)

Language of Research

THINKING LIKE A
RESEARCHER: Research and
Intuition
If we ignore supernatural inspiration,
intuition is based on two things: experience
and intelligence. The more experience I have
with you, the more likely I am to encounter
repetition of activities and situations that
help
me learn about you. The smarter I am, the
more
I can abstract from those experiences to find
connections and patterns among them.

3-7

Jeffrey Bradshow, creator of the

software that searches databases

Language of Research
Concepts
Concepts

Constructs

Models
Models

Terms
Terms used
used
in
in research
research
Theory
Theory

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Conceptual
Conceptual
schemes
schemes
Operational
Operational
definitions
definitions

Variables
Propositions/
Propositions/
Hypotheses
Hypotheses

Concepts
A concept is a
bundle of meanings
or characteristics
associated with
certain events,
objects, conditions,
situations, and
behaviors

Functions of Concepts
Concepts are the foundation of
communication.
It introduces a perspective, a way of
looking at the empirical world.
Concepts are means of classification and
generalization
It serves as components of theories
(models) and thus of explanations and
predictions
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Sources of Concepts
I. Ordinary Concepts
Through personal experience
Through shared language usage
II. Newly Advance Concepts
- We borrow from other language / other fields
- e.g. we used the law of gravity (physics) to
explain why people show where they do
(marketing)

Understanding Concepts

The success of research hinges on:

how clearly we conceptualize
how well others understand the
concepts we use

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CONCEPTS
Classifying and categorizing objects
or events that have a common
characteristics create a concept.
E.g. when we see a man pass by, we
label him to be either walking,
running, skipping or hopping, we
have abstracted from the visual
elements hence our claim

SAMPLE CONCEPTS
1. Failure due to Absences
2. S.M.P. (Samahan ng Malalamig ang
Pasko)
3. Friends with Benefits
4. Departmental Examination

Construct
A construct is an image or idea
specifically invented for a given
research and/or theory-building
purpose.

Constructs
An abstract of a concept. It is the
degree to which the concept does or
does not have something to refer to.
Constructs and concepts are easily
confused.
It is an image or abstract idea
specifically invented for a given
research or theory building purpose.

TABLE & CHAIR

OBJECTIVE CONCEPT because we can point to it and

have images of its characteristics in our mind.

PERSONALITY

ABSTRACT CONCEPT because it is more difficult

to visualize such is the case of CONSTRUCTS.

Hypothetical Constructs
Entities inferred only from the data
Presumed to exist but must await
further testing to see what they
actually consist of

Conceptual Scheme
When concepts and constructs are
said to be inter-related and their
connections can be supported

Definitions
Needed in order to reduce confusion
about the meaning of concepts
Common struggle of researchers are
in the two types of definitions:
- Dictionary definition
- Operational definition

Copyright 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Sekaran/RESEARCH 4E

8A

Operational Definition
Definition in terms of specific criteria
for testing or measurement
Must specify the characteristics of
the concept and how they are to be
observed
This is needed so that any competent
person will classify the object in the
same way

Operational Definitions
How can we define the variable
class level of students?

Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Senior

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< 30 credit hours

30-50 credit hours
60-89 credit hours
> 90 credit hours

Variables
Event

Act

Variable
Variable
Characteristic

Trait

Attribute
A Variable Is the Property Being Studied synonym for
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constructs and can be measured and assigned categorical

Types of Variables
For purposes of data entry and analysis,
researchers assign numerical values to
a variable based on the variable
properties
Dichotomous have only 2 values reflecting the
presence or absence of a property
Discrete when variables take on added categories
such as demographic variables of race or religion;
they cannot take on an infinite value
Continuous variables that take on values within a
given range

Types of Variables

Dichotomous
Dichotomous

Male/Female
Male/Female
Employed/
Employed/Unemployed
Unemployed

Discrete
Discrete

Ethnic
Ethnicbackground
background
Educational
Educationallevel
level
Religious
Religiousaffiliation
affiliation

Continuous
Continuous

Income
Income
Temperature
Temperature
Age
Age

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Types of Variables- researchers are more

interested in the relationship among
variables
Independent (IV) - is one that influences the
dependent variable in either in a positive
or negative way.

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Types of Variables
Dependent (DV) - is the variable of
primary interest to the researcher.
It is known as the criterion variable.
measured, predicted or otherwise
monitored and is expected to be
affected by the manipulation of the
independent variable

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Independent and Dependent Variable

Synonyms
Independent Variable
(IV)
Predictor
Presumed cause
Stimulus
Predicted from
Antecedent
Manipulated
3-30

Dependent Variable
(DV)
Criterion
Presumed effect
Response
Predicted to.
Consequence
Measured outcome

Copyright 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Sekaran/RESEARCH 4E

FIGURE 5.1

Copyright 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Sekaran/RESEARCH 4E

FIGURE 5.8

Copyright 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Sekaran/RESEARCH 4E

FIGURE 5.11

Types of Variables

Moderating second independent variable

which has a contingent effect on the
originally stated independent-dependent
variable relationship

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Copyright 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Sekaran/RESEARCH 4E

FIGURE 5.4

Copyright 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Sekaran/RESEARCH 4E

FIGURE 5.10

Moderating Variables (MV)

The introduction of a four-day week (IV)
will lead to higher productivity (DV),
especially among younger workers (MV)
The switch to commission from a salary
compensation system (IV) will lead to
increased sales (DV) per worker, especially
more experienced workers (MV).
The loss of mining jobs (IV) leads to
acceptance of higher-risk behaviors to
earn a family-supporting income (DV)
particularly among those with a limited
education (MV).

3-37

3-38

Relationships Among Variable Types

Extraneous Variable (EV)

variable that might affect a given
relationship conceivably
Can be treated as IV or MV
Most either assumed or excluded from the
study
Others might influence DV are included as
control variables (CV) to ensure that results
are not biased by not including them
Can also be confounding variables (CFVs)
which similar to MV

3-40

Relationships Among Variable Types

Extraneous Variables (EV)

With new customers (EV-control), a
switch to commission from a salary
compensation system (IV) will lead to
increased sales productivity (DV) per
worker, especially among younger
workers (MV).
Among residents with less than a high
school education (EV-control), the loss
of jobs (IV) leads to high-risk
behaviors (DV), especially due to the
proximity of the firing range (MV).

3-41

Intervening Variables
(IVVs)
A conceptual mechanism through
which the IV and MV might affect the
DV
Defined as a factor that theoretically
affects the DV but can not be
observed or has not been measured
Its effects must be inferred from the
effects of the IV and MV

Relationships Among Variable Types the intro of a

4day work week will lead to a higher productivity by
increasing job satisfaction

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Intervening Variables (IVV)

The switch to a commission
compensation system (IV) will lead to
higher sales (DV) by increasing overall
compensation (IVV).
A promotion campaign (IV) will increase
savings activity (DV), especially when
free prizes are offered (MV), but chiefly
among smaller savers (EV-control). The
results come from enhancing the
motivation to save (IVV).
3-44

Copyright 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Sekaran/RESEARCH 4E

FIGURE 5.9

Exercises: Determination of Variables

(1/2 Crosswise)
List the variables in this and the next exercise,
individually, and label them as dependent or
independent, giving brief reasons and explaining
why they are so labeled. Diagram the
relationships.

1. An applied researcher wants to increase the

commitment of organizational members in a
particular bank. What would be the
dependent variable in this case?
2. A manager believes that good supervision
and training will increase the production
level of the workers.

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Exercises: Determination of Variables

(1/2 Crosswise)
3. A consultant is of the opinion that
increasing the pay and fringe benefits,
contrary to common belief, decreases job
satisfaction instead of increasing it.

4. A manager finds that off-the-job

classroom training has a great impact on
the productivity of the employees in his
department. However, he also observes
that employees over fifty years of age do
not seem to derive much benefit and do

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