Conceptual research method is a kind of research that scholars conduct in a systematic manner right from research topic, question, building framework, etc. It belongs to qualitative research methods and rely on inductive approach of reasoning to reach at the results. Conceptual research doesn’t rely on practical experiment, but existing knowledge, logical reasoning, and analysis of existing knowledge. Its purpose is to develop new theories, interpret and refine earlier, bridge knowledge gap as well. So, let’s dive in more details for learning conceptual research method, how to build conceptual research framework and usages.
Conceptual Research Methodology: Meaning and Purpose
Simply for layman’s learning, conceptual research is a kind of research but with different means and motives. Which research method you need to conduct totally depends on the purpose you have fixed. As it belong to qualitative research techniques, it doesn’t relay on empirical data collection and close ended questions. Instead, it gives participants total freedom to answer in there’s own ways. It seeks variety in possibilities of answers.
Most of the scholarly articles available point out that conceptual research is conducted for exploring news concepts, explaining and defining existing one, and examine theirs relationship. Simply, knowing and exploring about abstract concept world. This is why this method doesn’t rely on practical experiment and empirical data.
Once you have clear understanding of abstract world, concepts, then you can explain the complex phenomenon in the form of research question, hypothesis, or statement to come with newer theory. To do so, one needs to go through existing knowledge, research, scholarly articles, and valid documentnts.
- Understanding the changing nature of family institutions with rising urban settlements,
- Relationship between obesity and inferiority complex among youth,
- Impacts of social media on the relationship between parent and children, etc.
These are some day to day examples. To answer these questions, one can opt for this technique.
Conceptual research: Basic or Applied research
If we consider the key aspects of basic and conceptual research, we can confirm that most of the aspects and characteristics of conceptual research are similar to basic research. Let’s see how?
Basic research emphasis on expanding knowledge and understanding of world around us. It doesn’t involve practical experiments. Similarly, conceptual research focuses on the developing new theories, ideas, models, and concepts. It also interpret and refine existing one. Its aim is to expand knowledge base of specific field or discipline.
Both do not involve in problem solving. So, no question of application. Theirs nature is theoretical. Though they lay the foundation for applied research but not directly contribute to applied. On the other hand, empirical research we can call an example of applied research.
Despite all these similarities, there are certain differences between them. For more details regarding difference between basic and conceptual research, you can visit research methods category of learning secret platform.
Various forms or types of Conceptual Research
Different purposes and approaches decide the forms or types of conceptual research you choose. So, there is certainty that it could take following forms:
Descriptive research,
Explanatory research,
Exploratory Research,
Theory synthesis,
Theory adaptation,
Conceptual papers,
Model building,
Typology, etc.
As the term implies, descriptive research intends to describe ideas, concepts, or phenomenon. Herein, you need to present a detailed account of the concept or ideas. You can describe major features or characteristics through different viewpoints to make it more understandable.
In case of explanatory research, the aim of scholar is to explain the concept as well as relationship between concept so that these could be understood clearly. For detailed understanding, I’m going to write an article on this topic as well. Here I’m just giving superficial knowledge of types of conceptual research. Because, my special focus is to make you fully understand regarding conceptual research method.
So far we have learned about meaning, purpose, aspects and forms of conceptual research method
Now, let’s understand, how to design conceptual research framework.
Building Conceptual Research Framework
As you realized that the ultimate aim of any conceptual research methods, more or less, remains the same — to generate newer theories, to test earlier, or to fill knowledge gap or solve questions through different perspectives based on existing resources or literature.
Conceptual research framework is a research tool, roadmap, research plan, model or groundwork aimed to understand research question, statement to guide entire research processes. It helps in knowing about key concepts, factors, and variables and theirs interrelationship. Simply, it provides an insight of how these things come together to form this problem or research question.
Variables are changeable factors or conditions you are observing events or phenomenon. They are correlated with each other as the dependent is an effect of independent variables. Let’s construct framework.
1. Select a question as challenge
First of all, it should be clear that for what purpose you are going to apply this method. You need to delineate a goal either problem or theory. Question should be specific as general questions are hard to explore precisely, such as,
Sudden rise in road accidents.
Surging domestic violence cases.
Growing addictions of youths.
Questioning relevancy of earlier theories.
For this purpose, you can visit.. Difference between research question and hypothesis/Writing good hypothesis.
2. Analysis and evaluation of earlier theories
As I stated earlier that conceptual research method do not consider data collection by empirical means but raly on available resources. Therefore, already available relevant information act as launching pad for ongoing research.
3. Collection of secondary research materials
For better insight of issue in focus, researchers should consider secondary research materials such as reports, journals, case studies, magazines etc. to judge the exact gap.
Recently published works might prove instrumental as these things reveal exact link with ongoing problem in question.
4. Formation of theoretical framework
You need a broad range of things, including research reports, journals, earlier theories, etc. to study to build useable concepts. Because, it is the theoretical framework that pave the way for the important tool for research.
Some theories like Sea floor spreading, convection current, and continental drift theories were used as theoretical framework while understanding plate tectonics.
In conclusion,
In short, Conceptual research methodology doesn’t rely on rigorous field work of observation and experimentation but totally depends on the analysing, observing and evaluating of already existing theories. And you know that it aims either to fill knowledge gap or solve questions based on available literature. It is a way or process by which researchers infer an outcome in the form of concepts, ideas, theories through reviewing theoretical framework. This why Learning Conceptual deserves method deserves.
Understanding types of research methods