Relationship between Theory and Research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Relationship between Theory and Research - Essay ExampleDescriptive theories argon the most common theories. They classify or describe characteristics or dimensions of an individual, group, situation, or event by summarizing similarities name in discrete observations. Descriptive theories mostly required when remarkably little about the phenomenon under banter (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 re search specifically directed towards knowing the existing characteristics of the real world relation to the question being researching upon.A descriptive may or may not use an existential method. Non falsifiable methods include historic and philosophic inquiries. Philosophic inquiries classify and describe phenomena through critical discussion. Moreover, historic 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 player or a non participant observation, as well as by structured interview schedule, questionnaires or by open finish. 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 t echnique sorts data into a priori fellowship 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 dogmatic and intensive investigation of many factors for a group, a community or a small subject 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 loving 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 ethnical behavior for a