1 Watch the video and
put the words into the gaps in the text.
Knowing the difference between (1)___, models and theories will help
you understand research and (2)____ intelligently with other professionals.
There are a number of ways to define concepts. Essentially a concept is a
description of an event, situation or experience. Typically these (3)____ of
concepts are abstract and (4)____. Some concepts are more understood than
others. It is important to define concepts so we can communicate. For
example, my husband and I have different views on what defines a garage and a
shed. Since we own (5)____ with both our different definitions have caused
some communication issues. When I talk about needing to clean the garage
sometimes the wrong building gets cleaned.
Research studies should present a conceptual or (6)____ in the (7)____
portion of the article. These frameworks tell you where the (8)____ is coming
from and define the concepts under study. It helps to know how a researcher
views the concepts under study so you can (9)____ if you or other studies you
are looking at define these concepts in the same way. That way you know if
they are studying a shed or a garage. Sometimes researchers will describe
what is known about the concepts without a model or theory. In this case it
is called a (10)____ framework. Other times they will present at specific
model or theory to describe how the concepts that they will be studying
relate to one another. However, before models and theories can be developed,
concepts need to be (11)____.
There are specific methods to define concepts for research. The
methods chosen will depend on your beliefs about the nature of the concept.
If you believe concepts are concrete, (12)____ and do not change your
approach will search for the truth about the concepts. Concepts that are
defined in this way may be the (13)____ under study in (14)____. However, if
you think that concepts are influenced by context, (15)____ (but not
measurable) and dynamic your approach would be much different. Concepts that
are defined in this way would be more (16)____ as a framework for qualitative
research. Often research will examine the relationships between and among
various concepts.
A framework that shows these
relationships may be in the form of a model or a theory. Models are usually
developed based on qualitative research. They demonstrate the researcher’s
interpretation of how concepts are related to one another. You may find
models in the (17)____ of some research articles. Sometimes models are based
on understandings that are not from specific research studies. For example,
the picture on this slide represents a model of my (18)____ of the difference
between concepts, models and theories. Theories, on the other hand, are more
tested than models. They are systematic and are used to explain, (19)____,
describe and prescribe phenomena. They look a lot like models so sometimes
people (20)____ these two terms. Theories are tested and measured, most of
the time with quantitative research, in order to prove the relationships
between concepts. It takes a lot more than one research study to prove a
theory. Qualitative research can also be done to support theories. The more
research that supports a theory the better it is. Remember, concepts need to
be defined in order to build a model or a theory. Both models and theories
show proposed relationships between concepts.
The difference between a model and a theory is the (21)____
of “(22)___” that exists for them, which stems from how they were developed.
Models are not considered proven. Theories are considered proven and (23)___
by multiple research studies. That is why they are viewed as a more (24)___
representation of phenomena.
|
|
complex
|
|
communicate
|
|
properties
|
|
concepts
|
|
descriptions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
defined
|
|
researcher
|
|
conceptual
|
|
theoretical framework
|
|
introduction
|
|
determine
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
congruent
|
|
variables
|
|
recognisable
|
|
measurable
|
|
quantitative research
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
predict
|
|
understanding
|
|
findings section
|
|
confuse
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
systematic
|
|
supported
|
|
proof
|
|
amount
|
2 Vocabulary focus. Sudy the words and word combinations, practise
their translation, spelling. Check your knowledge
in the test. Play vocabulary game and set your own vocabulary game record.
3 Mark the following statements as True or False.
1.
Theoretical
framework of a study is usually presented in introduction.
2.
Researchers never describe what is known about the
concepts without a model or a theory.
3.
Quantitative research focuses on concrete, measurable
concepts.
4.
Qualitative research is the study of measurable
concepts.
5.
A model or a theory is a form of relationship between
concepts.
6.
Models are usually tested.
7.
Scientists try to prove theories.
8.
Models are considered proven and supported by multiple
research studies.
4 Answer the Questions.
1. Why are
concepts, models and theories important for research?
2.
What is theoretical framework?
3.
What is conceptual framework?
4.
Where are conceptual and theoretical frameworks found
in an article?
5.
How can scholars see the nature of concepts? How can
they study concepts?
6.
What is a model? What is a theory? Which can be tested
and proven?
7.
What is the difference between models and theories?
No comments:
Post a Comment