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  • Business Research Methods: Theory Building

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    Theories are nets cast to catch what we call "the world" - Popper. Theories are coherent set of general propositions used as principles of explanation. "Leadership," "productivity," "morale," "asset," and "inflation" are examples of theories.

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    Theories are nets cast to catch what we call "the world" - Popper. Theories are coherent set of general propositions used as principles of explanation. "Leadership," "productivity," "morale," "asset," and "inflation" are examples of theories.

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    10 vues20 pages

    Business Research Methods: Theory Building

    Transféré par

    1t4
    Theories are nets cast to catch what we call "the world" - Popper. Theories are coherent set of general propositions used as principles of explanation. "Leadership," "productivity," "morale," "asset," and "inflation" are examples of theories.

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    Business Research Methods

    William G. Zikmund

    Chapter 3: Theory Building

    Copyright 2000 by Harcourt, Inc.

    All rights reserved. Requests for permission to make copies of any part of the work should be mailed to the following address: Permissions Department, Harcourt, Inc., 6277 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, Florida 32887-6777.

    Theories
    Theories are nets cast to catch what we call the world: to rationalize, to explain, and to master it. We endeavor to make the mesh ever finer and finer.
    Karl R. Popper

    Copyright 2000 by Harcourt, Inc. All rights reserved.

    TWO PURPOSES OF THEORY


    Prediction Understanding

    Copyright 2000 by Harcourt, Inc. All rights reserved.

    THEORY
    A coherent set of general propositions used as principles of explanation of the apparent relationships of certain observed phenomena.

    Copyright 2000 by Harcourt, Inc. All rights reserved.

    CONCEPT (OR CONSTRUCT)


    A generalized idea about a class of objects, attributes, occurrences, or processes that has been given a name Building blocks that abstract reality leadership, productivity, and morale gross national product, asset, and inflation
    Copyright 2000 by Harcourt, Inc. All rights reserved.

    A LADDER OF ABSTRACTION FOR CONCEPTS


    Increasingly more abstract
    Copyright 2000 by Harcourt, Inc. All rights reserved.

    Vegetation Fruit Banana Reality

    Scientific business researchers operate at two levels


    Abstract level
    concepts propositions

    Empirical level
    variables hypotheses

    Copyright 2000 by Harcourt, Inc. All rights reserved.

    DEFINITIONS
    Abstract level -In theory development, the level of knowledge expressing a concept that exists only as an idea or a quality apart from an object. Empirical level -Level of knowledge reflecting that which is verifiable by experience or observation.
    Copyright 2000 by Harcourt, Inc. All rights reserved.

    THEORY BUILDING A PROCESS OF INCREASING ABSTRACTION

    Theories Propositions Concepts Observation of objects and events (reality )

    Copyright 2000 by Harcourt, Inc. All rights reserved.

    Increasingly more abstract

    CONCEPTS ARE ABSTRACTIONS OF REALITY


    Abstract Level CONCEPTS

    Empirical Level

    OBSERVATION OF OBJECTS AND EVENTS (REALITY)

    Copyright 2000 by Harcourt, Inc. All rights reserved.

    SCIENTIFIC METHOD
    The use of a set of prescribed procedures for establishing and connecting theoretical statements about events and for predicting events yet unknown.

    Copyright 2000 by Harcourt, Inc. All rights reserved.

    ABSTRACT LEVEL
    Concepts abstract reality. Propositions are statements concerned with the relationships among concepts.

    Copyright 2000 by Harcourt, Inc. All rights reserved.

    Proposition at abstract level


    Concept A
    (Reinforcement)

    Concept B
    (Habits)

    Hypothesis at Empirical level

    Dollar bonus for sales volume over quota

    Always makes four sales calls a day


    Copyright 2000 by Harcourt, Inc. All rights reserved.

    A hypothesis is a proposition that is empirically testable. It is an empirical statement concerned with the relationship among variables. A variable is anything that may assume different numerical values.

    Copyright 2000 by Harcourt, Inc. All rights reserved.

    THEORY AND SONG


    A fact without a theory Is like a ship without a sail, Is like a boat without a rudder, Is like a kite without a tail. A fact without a figure is a tragic final act, But one thing worse in this universe Is a theory without a fact.
    Copyright 2000 by Harcourt, Inc. All rights reserved.

    Deductive reasoning
    The logical process of deriving a conclusion from a known premise or something known to be true.
    We know that all managers are human beings. If we also know that John Smith is a manager, then we can deduce that John Smith is a human being.

    Copyright 2000 by Harcourt, Inc. All rights reserved.

    Inductive reasoning
    The logical process of establishing a general proposition on the basis of observation of particular facts.
    All managers that have ever been seen are human beings; therefore all managers are human beings.

    Copyright 2000 by Harcourt, Inc. All rights reserved.

    OVERVIEW OF THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

    Assess relevant existing knowledge

    Formulate concepts & Propositions

    Statement of Hypotheses

    Design research

    Acquire empirical data

    Analyze & evaluate data

    Provide explanationstate new problem


    Copyright 2000 by Harcourt, Inc. All rights reserved.

    Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

    Copyright 2000 by Harcourt, Inc. All rights reserved.

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