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Mgt2700: Theory continued

Mgt2700: Theory continued. Science, Scientific Method, and Truth. Nature of truth. knowledge is socially constructed. Sources of Knowledge. Experience but may not be systematic may not be universal Authority custom tradition but how does authority know?. Sources of Knowledge.

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Mgt2700: Theory continued

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  1. Mgt2700: Theory continued Science, Scientific Method, and Truth

  2. Nature of truth • knowledge is socially constructed

  3. Sources of Knowledge • Experience • but may not be systematic • may not be universal • Authority • custom • tradition • but how does authority know?

  4. Sources of Knowledge • Deductive Reasoning • from general to the specific

  5. Advantages of Deductive Reasoning • can organize what is already known • means of linking theory & observation • deductions from theory can provide hypothesis to determine what phenomenon to observe

  6. Problems with Deductive Reasoning • must begin with true premises to arrive at true conclusions • premises need not relate to real world (e.g., mathematical models) • can argue reasonably how many angels can stand on head of a pin

  7. Problems with Deductive Reasoning • it is hard to establish universal truth of many statements dealing with scientific phenomenon

  8. SOURCES OF KNOWLEDGE • Experience • Authority • Deductive Reasoning • from general to the specific • Inductive Reasoning • from specific to general • need to observe phenomenon directly

  9. Francis Bacon

  10. Inductive Reasoning • perfect induction • when dealing with small enough sample, can observe every case, so infallible conclusions • imperfect induction • when dealing with larger groups, extrapolate from sample, so may be open to error

  11. SOURCES OF KNOWLEDGE • Experience • Authority • Deductive Reasoning • Inductive Reasoning

  12. SOURCES OF KNOWLEDGE • Experience • Authority • Deductive Reasoning • Inductive Reasoning • Scientific Method • inductive - deductive

  13. THE SCIENTIFIC APPROACH

  14. THEORY • is a system for explaining a set of phenomena by specifying constructs and the laws that relate these constructs to each other.

  15. The ultimate goal of science is theory formation • Theories knit together the results of observations, enabling scientists to make general statements about variables and the relationships among variables

  16. Purpose of Theories • to summarize and organize existing knowledge

  17. Purpose of Theories • to explain observed events and relationships

  18. Purpose of Theories • to predict the occurrence of unobserved events and relationships

  19. Purpose of Theories • to stimulate further inquiry • identifying areas • providing leads

  20. Factors to consider whenEvaluating Research

  21. Is the research hypothesis... • sufficiently specific? • clearly stated?

  22. Inspect for deliberate bias / distortion when • investigator has vested interest in results supporting a particular viewpoint • highly emotional issues are involved • states "this study was conducted to prove” • number of cases upon which percentages are based is either not indicated or is low

  23. Inspect for deliberate bias / distortion when • figures are calculated to several decimal places • surprising or newsworthy findings reward the researcher with career-making publicity • objective findings are distorted by mass media to make them "more newsworthy" • only a few key studies are cited

  24. Inspect for non-deliberate bias

  25. Inspect for sampling bias when • the research is based on volunteers • there is high subject mortality • group selection criteria may be inappropriate

  26. Inspect for sampling bias • in causal-comparative studies • experimental vs. control group • when subjects may not be representative of the population

  27. Check for omission of • important variables

  28. Undertake critical evaluation of measurement techniques • reliability • validity • appropriateness of the test norms

  29. Inspect for observer bias

  30. Developing the Research Proposal • Introduction & research problem statement • Literature review • Identify problems • State significance of problems • Research ideas • Contribution to knowledge and practice • Formulating hypothesis • Selecting possible measures • Selecting research sources • Specifying research design • Selecting analysis procedures • Specifying research activities

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