Empirical research

About: Empirical research is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 51395 publications have been published within this topic receiving 1914894 citations.

Educational Research: Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Approaches

Abstract: Preface PART I. INTRODUCTION 1. Introduction to Educational Research Why Study Educational Research? Areas of Educational Research Examples of Educational Research General Kinds of Research Sources of Knowledge The Scientific Approach to Knowledge Generation Objectives of Educational Research Overview of Book Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Research Exercises Relevant Internet Sites Recommended Reading 2. Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Research Characteristics of the Three Research Paradigms Quantitative Research Methods. Experimental and Nonexperimental Research Qualitative Research Methods Mixed Research Methods Our Research Typology Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Research Exercises Relevant Internet Sites Recommended Reading PART II. PLANNING THE RESEARCH STUDY 3. Reviewing the Literature and Developing Research Questions Sources of Research Ideas Ideas That Can't Be Resolved Through Empirical Research Review of the Literature Conducting the Literature Search Feasibility of the Study Statement of the Research Problem Statement of the Purpose of the Study Statement of Research Questions Formulating Hypotheses Consumer Use of the Literature Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Research Exercises Relevant Internet Sites Recommended Reading 4. How to Write a Research Proposal Framework of the Research Proposal Strategies for Writing Each Section of the Research Proposal Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Research Exercises Relevant Internet Sites Recommended Reading 5. Research Ethics What Are Research Ethics? Ethical Concerns Ethical Guidelines for Research with Humans Institutional Review Board Ethical Issues in Electronic Research Ethical Issues in Preparing the Research Report Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Research Exercises Relevant Internet Sites Recommended Reading PART III. FOUNDATIONS OF RESEARCH 6. Standardized Measurement and Assessment Defining Measurement Scales of Measurement Assumptions Underlying Testing and Assessment Identifying a Good Test or Assessment Procedure Educational and Psychological Tests Sources of Information about Tests Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Research Exercises Relevant Internet Sites Recommended Reading Endnotes 7. How to Construct a Questionnaire What is a Questionnaire? Principles of Questionnaire Construction Putting it All Together Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Research Exercises Relevant Internet Sites Recommended Reading 8. Methods of Data Collection Tests Questionnaires Interviews Focus Groups Observation Secondary Data (Existing Data) Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Research Exercises Relevant Internet Sites Recommended Reading 9. Sampling in Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Research Terminology Used in Sampling Random Sampling Techniques Nonrandom Sampling Techniques Random Selection and Random Assignment Determining the Sample Size When Random Sampling Is Used Sampling in Qualitative Research Sampling in Mixed Research Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Research Exercises Relevant Internet Sites Recommended Reading Endnotes 10. Validity of Research Results in Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Research Validity Issues in the Design of Quantitative Research Statistical Conclusion Validity Internal Validity External Validity Construct Validity Research Validity (or "trustworthiness") in Qualitative Research Research Validity (or "Legitimation") in Mixed Research Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Research Exercises Relevant Internet Sites Recommended Reading Endnotes PART IV. SELECTING A RESEARCH METHOD 11. Experimental Research The Experiment Experimental Research Settings Independent Variable Manipulation Control of Confounding Variables Experimental Research Designs Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Research Exercises Relevant Internet Sites Recommended Reading Endnote 12. Quasi-Experimental and Single-Case Designs Quasi-Experimental Research Designs Single-Case Experimental Designs Methodological Considerations in Using Single-Case Designs Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Research Exercises Relevant Internet Sites Recommended Reading 13. Nonexperimental Quantitative Research Steps in Nonexperimental Research Independent Variables in Nonexperimental Research Simple Cases of Causal-Comparative and Correlational Research Three Necessary Conditions for Cause-and-Effect Relationships Applying the Three Necessary Conditions for Causation in Nonexperimental Research Techniques of Control in Nonexperimental Research (i.e., How to Design Strong Nonexperimental Research) Interlude (The Study of Causal Relationships in Epidemiology) Time Dimension in Research Classifying Nonexperimental Research Methods by Research Objective Classifying Nonexperirnental Research by Time and Research Objective Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Research Exercises Relevant Internet Sites Recommended Reading Endnotes 14. Qualitative Research Phenomenology Ethnography Case Study Research Grounded Theory Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Research Exercises Relevant Internet Sites Recommended Reading Endnotes 15. Historical Research What Is Historical Research? Significance of Historical Research Historical Research Methodology Identification of the Research Topic and Formulation of the Research Problem or Question Data Collection or Literature Review How to Locate Historical Information Evaluation of Historical Sources Data Synthesis and Report Preparation Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Research Exercises Relevant Internet Sites Recommended Reading 16. Mixed Research The Research Continuum Types of Mixed Research Designs Stages of the Mixed Research Process Limitations of Mixed Research Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Research Exercises Relevant Internet Sites Recommended Reading PART V. ANALYZING THE DATA 17. Descriptive Statistics Descriptive Statistics Frequency Distributions Graphic Representations of Data Measures of Central Tendency Measures of Variability Measures of Relative Standing Examining Relationships among Variables Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Research Exercises Relevant Internet Sites Recommended Reading Endnotes 18. Inferential Statistics Sampling Distributions Estimation Hypothesis Testing Hypothesis Testing in Practice Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Research Exercises Relevant Internet Sites Recommended Reading Endnotes 19. Data Analysis in Qualitative and Mixed Research Interim Analysis Memoing Analysis of Visual Data Data Entry and Storage Segmenting, Coding, and Developing Category Systems Enumeration Creating Hierarchical Category Systems Identifying Relationships Among Categories Corroborating and Validating Results Computer Programs for Qualitative Data Analysis Data Analysis in Mixed Research Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Research Exercises Relevant Internet Sites Recommended Reading Endnote PART V1. WRITING THE RESEARCH REPORT 20. Preparation of the Research Report General Principles Related to Writing the Research Report Writing Quantitative Research Reports Using the APA Style Writing Qualitative Research Reports Writing Mixed Research Reports Discussion Questions Research Exercises Relevant Internet Sites Recommended Reading Glossary References Index About the Authors

Consumers and Their Brands: Developing Relationship Theory in Consumer Research

Abstract: Although the relationship metaphor dominates contemporary marketing thought and practice, surprisingly little empirical work has been conducted on relational phenomena in the consumer products domain, particularly at the level of the brand. In this article, the author: (1) argues for the validity of the relationship proposition in the consumer-brand context, including a debate as to the legitimacy of the brand as an active relationship partner and empirical support for the phenomenological significance of consumer-brand bonds; (2) provides a framework for characterizing and better understanding the types of relationships consumers form with brands; and (3) inducts from the data the concept of brand relationship quality, a diagnostic tool for conceptualizing and evaluating relationship strength. Three in-depth case studies inform this agenda, their interpretation guided by an integrative review of the literature on person-to-person relationships. Insights offered through application of inducted concepts to two relevant research domains — brand loyalty and brand personality — are advanced in closing. The exercise is intended to urge fellow researchers to refine, test, and augment the working hypotheses suggested herein and to progress toward these goals with confidence in the validity of the relationship premise at the level of consumers’ lived experiences with their brands.

Some practical guidance for the implementation of propensity score matching

Abstract: Propensity score matching (PSM) has become a popular approach to estimate causal treatment effects. It is widely applied when evaluating labour market policies, but empirical examples can be found in very diverse fields of study. Once the researcher has decided to use PSM, he is confronted with a lot of questions regarding its implementation. To begin with, a first decision has to be made concerning the estimation of the propensity score. Following that one has to decide which matching algorithm to choose and determine the region of common support. Subsequently, the matching quality has to be assessed and treatment effects and their standard errors have to be estimated. Furthermore, questions like 'what to do if there is choice-based sampling?' or 'when to measure effects?' can be important in empirical studies. Finally, one might also want to test the sensitivity of estimated treatment effects with respect to unobserved heterogeneity or failure of the common support condition. Each implementation step involves a lot of decisions and different approaches can be thought of. The aim of this paper is to discuss these implementation issues and give some guidance to researchers who want to use PSM for evaluation purposes.

Consumer Acceptance of Electronic Commerce: Integrating Trust and Risk with the Technology Acceptance Model

Abstract: This paper aims to predict consumer acceptance of e-commerce by proposing a set of key drivers for engaging consumers in on-line transactions. The primary constructs for capturing consumer acceptance of e-commerce are intention to transact and on-line transaction behavior. Following the theory of reasoned action (TRA) as applied to a technology-driven environment, technology acceptance model (TAM) variables (perceived usefulness and ease of use) are posited as key drivers of e-commerce acceptance. The practical utility of TAM stems from the fact that e-commerce is technology-driven. The proposed model integrates trust and perceived risk, which are incorporated given the implicit uncertainty of the e-commerce environment. The proposed integration of the hypothesized independent variables is justified by placing all the variables under the nomological TRA structure and proposing their interrelationships. The resulting research model is tested using data from two empirical studies. The first, exploratory study comprises three experiential scenarios with 103 students. The second, confirmatory study uses a sample of 155 on-line consumers. Both studies strongly support the e-commerce acceptance model by validating the proposed hypotheses. The paper discusses the implications for e-commerce theory, research, and practice, and makes several suggestions for future research.