Thinking Like A

Researcher
Heavily Extracted from 2nd
Chapter of Business Research
Methods of
Cooper & Schindler

Scientif
c
Method

Thinking Like A Researcher

Scienti
fc
Method

Deduction
Induction

Variables

Defnitions

s
s

Research
Conceptual
Framework
Construct
Concept

Naming

Claiming

Explaining

Propositions

Theory

Hypotheses

Model

Method of Reasoning

Scientifc Thinking
Empirics

Data will be used for decision

reasoning

Rationality

Existing knowledge will be used for

reasoning

Ethics

Societal norms will be used for

reasoning

Metaphysic
s

Religious text will be used for

reasoning

Scientifc Method (Empiricism)

Direct observation of
Phenomena
Clearly Defned
Variables
Methods
Empirically Testable
Hypotheses
Statistical Conclusions
Self Correcting Porcess

Scientifc Method (Empiricism)

Propose
Hypothesis
State
Problem
Obstacle

Deduce the
outcomes
Test
Hypothesis
Conclude

Feed information back into the

problem

Scientifc Method (Sound Reasoning)

Induction

Combining
Induction &
Deduction

Arguments

Expositions

What is it?

Demands proof
Requires
explanation

Examples

Karachi is bigger
than Lahore?

Demands no proof
Requires no
explanation
How are you?
Hello
What a nice
weather!

Deduction

Scientifc Method (Sound Reasoning)

Deduction

What is
it?

Induction

Conclusion

Valid or Invalid

Proof

Irrefutable

Direction

Example
s

Combining
Induction &
Deduction

General

Specifc

All Pakistanis are

hardworking
.
Mr. A is Pakistani
.

Premises

Mr. A is hardworking

Conclusion

Scientifc Method (Sound Reasoning)

Deduction

What is
it?

Induction

Conclusion

Strong or Weak

Proof

Probabilistic

Direction

Example
s

Combining
Induction &
Deduction

Specifc

Some Pakistanis are

hardworking
.
Mr. A is Pakistani
.
Mr. A may be
hardworking

General

Premises
Conclusion

Scientifc Method (Sound Reasoning)

Deduction

Induction
Induction

We promote a
product but
sales do not
increase.
Fact1
Efective
Promotion will
increase sales.

Combining
Induction &
Deduction

Why
?
Hypothesis:
io
t
on Promotion was
i
c
t
u
o
Ded ive Prom Sales Poorly Executed.
ect crease
f
e
n
In
in
t
o
n
will

Thinking Like A Researcher

(Language of Research Conceptual Framework)
Naming

Claiming

Explaining

Propositions

Theory

Hypotheses

Model

Concepts

Constructs

Defnitions

Variables

Thinking Like A Researcher

(Language of Research Conceptual Framework)
Naming
Concepts

Constructs

Defnitions

Variables

Claiming

Explaining

Thinking Like A Researcher

(Language of Research Conceptual Framework)
Naming
Concepts

Claiming
What

Constructs
Sources
Defnitions

Variables

Importan
ce in
Research

Explaining

A Generally Accepted Collection

of Meaning Associated with
certain object, or phenomena.
Experien
Chill, Help,
ce
Respect
Assassin, Pariah
Languag
es
Field of
Success Inertia
Study
Clear
Concepts
Understandabl
e
Measurabl

Thinking Like A Researcher

(Language of Research Conceptual Framework)
Naming
Concepts

Constructs

Defnitions

Variables

Claiming
Purpose
Measure
the
Duration in
University
Monthly
Consumable
Personal
Income

Correct
Concepts
How long
have you
been
enrolled in
university?
How much
do you earn
after tax in
a month?

Explaining
Wrong
Concepts
In which
semester
are you?

What is your
salary?

Thinking Like A Researcher

(Language of Research Conceptual Framework)
Naming
Concepts

Claiming
What

Defnitions

Variables

Level
of
Abstraction

Constructs

Explaining

Combination of Concepts
Developed for Theory
Building
Most
Job Interest
Abstract
Syntax
Vocabular
y
Spelling

Most
Concrete

Manuscript
Format
Errors
Accuracy
Typing Speed

Language
Skills
Presentati
on Quality

Thinking Like A Researcher

(Language of Research Conceptual Framework)
Naming

Variables

Examples

Constructs

Defnitions

Explaining

Concepts

What

Concepts

Claiming

Dictionar
Defnitions y
Constructs
Defnitio
Operational
n
Defnition
Defnition in terms of Measurement
Criterion
Concept /
Construct
Child
Poverty
Satisfactio
n

Operational Definition

Age between 4 & 13

Family income less than
5000 per person
Having Positive Word of
mouth
Intention to reuse

Thinking Like A Researcher

(Language of Research Conceptual Framework)

Defnitions

Variables

Model

Attribute

Measurem
ent Scale

Constructs

Explaining

Independent Variable
Dependent Variable
Moderating Variable
Intervening Variable

Study
Desig
n

Concepts

Claiming

Classifcation Base

Naming

Nominal
Ordinal
Interval
Scale

Active

Thinking Like A Researcher

(Language of Research Conceptual Framework)
Naming
Concepts

Claiming
Intervening
e
Variable
m
o

Inc ect
Ef

Explaining
Su b
s
on tituti
Efe
ct

Constructs

Quantity
Demanded

Price
Defnitions Independe
nt Variable
Variables

Dependent
Variable
Type of
Good

Moderating
Variable

Thinking Like A Researcher

(Language of Research Conceptual Framework)
Naming

Claiming

Explaining

Intervening
Variable
Motivatio

Concepts

n
Constructs

Defnitions

Variables

Dependen
Variable

Piece
Rate
Independe
nt Variable

Proclivity to
Night Shift
Gender

Moderating
Variable

Thinking Like A Researcher

(Language of Research Conceptual Framework)

Types

Hypothesis

What

Naming

Claiming

Explaining

An empirically testable claim

Tentative explanation for a reality
Descriptiv
e

Explain population in terms of

attribute, behavior or performance

Relational

Explain relation between two or

more variables.

Causal

Claim one variable to be the cause

of other variable.

Thinking Like A Researcher

(Language of Research Conceptual Framework)

Descripti
ve
Relation
al
Causal

Examples

Hypothesis

Naming

Claiming

Explaining

Life span of Pakistani is less than 58

years
On average people watch TV less than
12 hours/ week
Satisfaction is related with product
quality
Marks in exam are related with time
given to study
Poverty causes crime rate to rise
Distrust is the main cause of high
employee turnover

Thinking Like A Researcher

(Language of Research Conceptual Framework)

Testable
than its
Rivals

Quality of A Strong
Hypothesis
Better

Hypothesis

Adequat
e

Naming

Claiming

Explaining

Thinking Like A Researcher

(Language of Research Conceptual Framework)

Quality of A Strong
Hypothesis
Adequa
te

Hypothesis

Naming

Claiming

Explaining

Hypothesis:

Reveals the Original Problem

Helps to answer the Problem
Identifes the Relevant Facts
Clarifes the Variables
Describes the form of Research to use
Provides the Framework for the
resulting Conclusion

Thinking Like A Researcher

(Language of Research Conceptual Framework)
Naming

Claiming

Explaining

Quality of A Strong
Hypothesis
Testabl
e

Hypothesis

Hypothesis:

Uses acceptable statistical technique

Reveals the deviations while testing
Has fewer assumptions
Is explainable

Thinking Like A Researcher

(Language of Research Conceptual Framework)
Naming

Claiming

Explaining

Explains more facts than its rivals

Explains greater variety of scope than
its rivals
Experts will consider it more likely

than
Rivals

Quality of A Strong
Hypothesis
Better

Hypothesis

Hypothesis:

Thinking Like A Researcher

(Language of Research Conceptual Framework)

Model

Benefts

Wha
t

Theory

Naming

Claiming

Explaining

Set of Systematically interrelated concepts,

defnitions & Propositions that explain or
predict a phenomena

It narrows the range of fact we study

It suggest the research approach
It suggests data analysis
It predicts further facts that should be
found

Thinking Like A Researcher

(Language of Research Conceptual Framework)

Wha
t
Model Building

Model

Theory

Naming

Claiming

Explaining

It is the simplifcation of reality.

Empirical
In
Data
Re du

as cti
on ve
in
g

Develop
Premises

Conclusio
n about
e Behavior

Theory /
Experien

tiv g
c
du onin
e
D as
Re

Specify
Relationship
among

Test
Outcomes

Model
Developm
ent

Thinking Like A Researcher

(Language of Research Conceptual Framework)
It

is the foundation of research on

which the entire project is based
It shows the relationship among the
variables relevant to the problem
It is based on

Literature Review
Interviews
Secondary data Analysis
Intuition

Thinking Like A Researcher

(Language of Research Conceptual Framework)

Components of Theoretical
Framework
Variables

be clearly defned
Relation between variables be
explained
Direction of the relation
Reasons for Relations among
variables
Diagrammatic Presentation of
the relation between variables

Class Activity
Take an Example from any
walk of life and Explain
knowledge creation

Concepts /
Constructs
Operational
Defnitions
Variables
Hypotheses

Theory

Model