conceptual research vs empirical research examples

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Difference Between Conceptual and Empirical Research

The main difference between conceptual and empirical research is that conceptual research involves abstract ideas and concepts, whereas empirical research involves research based on observation, experiments and verifiable evidence.

Conceptual research and empirical research are two ways of doing scientific research. These are two opposing types of research frameworks since conceptual research doesn’t involve any experiments and empirical research does.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Empirical Research     – Definition, Characteristics, Uses 2. What is Empirical Research     – Definition, Characteristics, Uses 3. What is the Difference Between Conceptual and Empirical Research     – Comparison of Key Differences

Conceptual Research, Empirical Research, Research

What is Conceptual Research?

Conceptual research is a type of research that is generally related to abstract ideas or concepts. It doesn’t particularly involve any practical experimentation. However, this type of research typically involves observing and analyzing information already present on a given topic. Philosophical research is a generally good example for conceptual research.

Conceptual research can be used to solve real-world problems. Conceptual frameworks, which are analytical tools researchers use in their studies, are based on conceptual research. Furthermore, these frameworks help to make conceptual distinctions and organize ideas researchers need for research purposes.

Figure 2: Conceptual Framework

In simple words, a conceptual framework is the researcher’s synthesis of the literature (previous research studies) on how to explain a particular phenomenon. It explains the actions required in the course of the study based on the researcher’s observations on the subject of research as well as the knowledge gathered from previous studies.

What is Empirical Research?

Empirical research is basically a research that uses empirical evidence. Empirical evidence refers to evidence verifiable by observation or experience rather than theory or pure logic. Thus, empirical research is research studies with conclusions based on empirical evidence. Moreover, empirical research studies are observable and measurable.

Empirical evidence can be gathered through qualitative research studies or quantitative research studies . Qualitative research methods gather non-numerical or non-statistical data. Thus, this type of studies helps to understand the underlying reasons, opinions, and motivations behind something as well as to uncover trends in thought and opinions. Quantitative research studies, on the other hand, gather statistical data. These have the ability to quantify behaviours, opinions, or other defined variables. Moreover, a researcher can even use a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods to find answers to his research questions .

Figure 2: Empirical Research Cycle

A.D. de Groot, a famous psychologist, came up with a cycle (figure 2) to explain the process of the empirical research process. Moreover, this cycle has five steps, each as important as the other. These steps include observation, induction, deduction, testing and evaluation.

Conceptual research is a type of research that is generally related to abstract ideas or concepts whereas empirical research is any research study where conclusions of the study are drawn from evidence verifiable by observation or experience rather than theory or pure logic.

Conceptual research involves abstract idea and concepts; however, it doesn’t involve any practical experiments. Empirical research, on the other hand, involves phenomena that are observable and measurable.

Type of Studies

Philosophical research studies are examples of conceptual research studies, whereas empirical research includes both quantitative and qualitative studies.

The main difference between conceptual and empirical research is that conceptual research involves abstract ideas and concepts whereas empirical research involves research based on observation, experiments and verifiable evidence.

1.“Empirical Research: Definition, Methods, Types and Examples.” QuestionPro, 14 Dec. 2018, Available here . 2. “Empirical Research.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 15 Sept. 2019, Available here . 3.“Conceptual Research: Definition, Framework, Example and Advantages.” QuestionPro, 18 Sept. 2018, Available here. 4. Patrick. “Conceptual Framework: A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Make One.” SimplyEducate.Me, 4 Dec. 2018, Available here .

Image Courtesy:

1. “APM Conceptual Framework” By LarryDragich – Created for a Technical Management Counsel meeting Previously published: First published in APM Digest in March (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia 2. “Empirical Cycle” By Empirical_Cycle.png: TesseUndDaanderivative work: Beao (talk) – Empirical_Cycle.png (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia

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Conceptual Research vs. Empirical Research: What's the Difference?

Key Differences

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Conceptual Research Vs Empirical Research?

Conceptual research.

Conceptual research is a technique wherein investigation is conducted by watching and analyzing already present data on a given point. Conceptual research does not include any viable tests. It is related to unique concepts or thoughts. Philosophers have long utilized conceptual research to create modern speculations or decipher existing hypotheses in a diverse light.

It doesn’t include viable experimentation, but the instep depends on analyzing accessible data on a given theme. Conceptual research has been broadly utilized within logic to create modern hypotheses, counter existing speculations, or distinctively decipher existing hypotheses. 

Today, conceptual research is utilized to answer business questions and fathom real-world problems. Researchers utilize explanatory apparatuses called conceptual systems to form conceptual refinements and organize thoughts required for investigation purposes.

Conceptual Research Framework

A conceptual research framework is built utilizing existing writing and studies from which inferences can be drawn. A conceptual research system constitutes a researcher’s combination of past research and related work and clarifies the phenomenon. The study is conducted to diminish the existing information gap on a specific theme and make important and dependable data available. 

The following steps can be taken to make a conceptual research framework:

Explain a topic for research

The primary step is to characterize the subject of your research. Most analysts will choose a topic relating to their field of expertise.

Collect and Organize relevant research

As conceptual research depends on pre-existing studies and writing, analysts must collect all important data relating to their point. It’s imperative to utilize dependable sources and information from scientific journals or investigate well-presumed papers. As conceptual research does not utilize experimentation and tests, the significance of analyzing dependable, fact-based information is reinforced.

Distinguish factors for the research

The other step is to choose important factors for their research. These factors will be the measuring sticks by which inductions will be drawn. They provide modern scope to inquire about and offer to help identify how distinctive factors may influence the subject of research.

Make the Framework 

The last step is to make the research framework by utilizing significant writing, factors, and other significant material. 

Advantages of Conceptual Research

It requires few resources compared to other types of market research where practical experimentation is required. This spares time and assets.

It is helpful as this form of investigation only requires the assessment of existing writing. 

Disadvantages of Conceptual Research

Speculations based on existing writing instead of experimentation and perception draw conclusions that are less fact-based and may not essentially be considered dependable.

Often, we see philosophical hypotheses being countered or changed since their conclusions or inferences are drawn from existing writings instead of practical experimentation. 

Empirical Research:

Empirical research is based on observed and established phenomena and determines information from real involvement instead of hypothesis or conviction. It derives knowledge from actual experiences. How do you know a study is empirical? Pay attention to the subheadings inside the article, book, or report and examine them to seek a depiction of the investigating “strategy.” Inquire yourself: Could I recreate this study and test these results?

Key characteristics to see for: 

• Specific research questions to be answered 
• Definition of the population, behavior, or wonders being studied 
• Description of the methods used to consider the population of the area of phenomena, including various aspects like choice criteria, controls, and testing instruments.

Empirical Research Framework:

Since empirical research is based on perception and capturing experiences, it is critical to arrange the steps to experiment and how to examine it. This will empower the analyst to resolve issues or obstacles amid the test.

• Define your purpose for this research:

This is often the step where the analyst must answer questions like what precisely I need to discover? What is the issue articulation? Are there any issues regarding the accessibility of knowledge, data, time, or assets? Will this research be more useful than what it’ll cost? Before going ahead, an analyst should characterize his reason for the investigation and plan to carry out assist tasks.

• Supporting theories and relevant literature:

The analyst should discover if some hypotheses can be connected to his research issue. He must figure out if any hypothesis can offer assistance in supporting his discoveries. All kinds of significant writing will offer assistance to the analyst to discover if others have researched this before. The analyst will also need to set up presumptions and also discover if there’s any history concerning his investigation issue

• Creation of Hypothesis and measurement:

Before starting the proper research related to his subject, he must give himself a working theory or figure out the probable result. The researcher has to set up factors, choose the environment for the research and find out how he can relate between the variables. The researcher will also need to characterize the units of estimations, tolerable degree for mistakes, and discover in the event that the estimation chosen will be approved by others.

• Methodology and data collection:

In this step, the analyst has to characterize a strategy for conducting his investigation. He must set up tests to gather the information that can empower him to propose the theory. The analyst will choose whether to require a test or non-test strategy for conducting the research. The research design will shift depending on the field in which the research is being conducted. Finally, the analyst will discover parameters that will influence the legitimacy of the research plan. The information collected will need to be done by choosing appropriate tests depending on the inquire-about address. To carry out the inquiry, he can utilize one of the numerous testing strategies. Once information collection is complete, the analyst will have experimental information which must be examined.

• Data Analysis and result:

Data analysis can be tried in two ways, qualitatively and quantitatively. The analyst will need to discover what subjective strategy or quantitative strategy will be required or will require a combination of both. Depending on the examination of his information, he will know if his speculation is backed or rejected. Analyzing this information is the foremost vital portion to bolster his speculation.

A report will need to be made with the discoveries of the research. The analyst can deliver the hypotheses and writing that support his investigation. He can make recommendations or suggestions to assist research on his subject

Advantages of empirical research

• Empirical research points to discover the meaning behind a specific phenomenon. In other words, it looks for answers to how and why something works the way it is. 
• By recognizing why something happens, it is conceivable to imitate or avoid comparative events. 
• The adaptability of the research permits the analysts to alter certain perspectives of the research and alter them to new objectives. 
• It is more dependable since it speaks to a real-life involvement and not fair theories. 
• Data collected through experimental research may be less biased since the analyst is there amid the collection handle. In contrast, it is incomprehensible to confirm the precision of the information in non-empirical research.

Disadvantages of empirical research

• It can be time-consuming depending on the research subject that you have chosen. 
• It isn’t a cost-effective way of information collection in most cases because of the viable costly strategies of information gathering. Additionally, it may require traveling between numerous locations. 
• Lack of proof and research subjects may not surrender the required result. A little test estimate avoids generalization since it may not be enough to speak to the target audience.
• It isn’t easy to induce data on touchy points. Additionally, analysts may require participants’ consent to utilize the data

Difference Between Conceptual and Empirical Research

Conceptual research and empirical research are two ways of doing logical research. These are two restricting investigation systems since conceptual research doesn’t include any tests, and empirical investigation does.

Conceptual research includes unique thoughts and ideas; as it may, it doesn’t include any experiments and tests. Empirical research, on the other hand, includes phenomena that are observable and can be measured.

• Type of Studies:

Philosophical research studies are cases of conceptual research, while empirical research incorporates both quantitative and subjective studies.

The major difference between conceptual and empirical investigation is that conceptual research involves unique thoughts and ideas, though experimental investigation includes investigation based on perception, tests, and unquestionable evidence.

References:

• Empirical Research: Advantages, Drawbacks, and Differences with Non-Empirical Research. In Voicedocs . Retrieved from https://voicedocs.com/en/blog/empirical-research-advantages-drawbacks-and-differences-non-empirical-research
• Empirical Research: Definition, Methods, Types and Examples. In QuestionPro . Retrieved from https://www.questionpro.com/blog/empirical-research/
• Conceptual vs. empirical research: which is better? In Enago Academy . Retrieved from https://www.enago.com/academy/conceptual-vs-empirical-research-which-is-better/

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Conceptual vs. Empirical

What's the difference.

Conceptual and empirical are two different approaches used in research and analysis. Conceptual refers to ideas, theories, and concepts that are based on abstract thinking and reasoning. It involves developing a theoretical framework and understanding the relationships between different variables or concepts. On the other hand, empirical refers to the collection and analysis of data through observation or experimentation. It involves gathering real-world evidence and using statistical methods to draw conclusions. While conceptual research focuses on developing theories and understanding concepts, empirical research focuses on testing and validating those theories through data analysis. Both approaches are important in their own ways and often complement each other in research studies.

Further Detail

Introduction.

Conceptual and empirical are two fundamental approaches used in various fields of study, including philosophy, science, and research. While both approaches aim to gain knowledge and understanding, they differ in their methods and sources of information. In this article, we will explore the attributes of conceptual and empirical approaches, highlighting their strengths and limitations.

Conceptual Approach

The conceptual approach primarily relies on abstract ideas, theories, and concepts to understand and explain phenomena. It focuses on the theoretical framework and uses deductive reasoning to draw conclusions. Conceptual analysis involves breaking down complex ideas into simpler components and examining their relationships.

One of the key attributes of the conceptual approach is its flexibility. It allows researchers to explore ideas and concepts that may not be directly observable or measurable. This flexibility enables the development of new theories and frameworks, expanding our understanding of various subjects.

Furthermore, the conceptual approach encourages critical thinking and creativity. Researchers can propose new ideas and challenge existing theories, leading to innovation and advancement in their respective fields. It also allows for the exploration of hypothetical scenarios and thought experiments, which can provide valuable insights.

However, the conceptual approach has its limitations. Since it relies heavily on abstract ideas, it may lack empirical evidence to support its claims. This can lead to subjective interpretations and potential biases. Additionally, the conceptual approach may struggle to provide concrete predictions or practical applications without empirical validation.

Empirical Approach

The empirical approach, on the other hand, emphasizes the collection and analysis of observable data to draw conclusions. It relies on direct observation, experimentation, and measurement to test hypotheses and theories. Empirical research aims to provide objective and verifiable evidence to support or refute claims.

One of the key attributes of the empirical approach is its emphasis on objectivity. By relying on observable data, it aims to minimize biases and subjective interpretations. This allows for the replication of experiments and studies, enhancing the reliability and validity of the findings.

Moreover, the empirical approach provides a solid foundation for evidence-based decision making. It enables researchers to gather data from real-world scenarios and draw conclusions based on actual observations. This practical application makes the empirical approach highly valuable in fields such as medicine, psychology, and social sciences.

However, the empirical approach also has its limitations. It may not capture the full complexity of certain phenomena, as some aspects may be difficult to measure or observe directly. Additionally, empirical research often requires significant resources, time, and effort to collect and analyze data, which can limit the scope and feasibility of certain studies.

Comparing Conceptual and Empirical

While the conceptual and empirical approaches have distinct attributes, they are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they often complement each other in the pursuit of knowledge and understanding.

Conceptual and empirical approaches can be seen as two sides of the same coin. The conceptual approach provides the theoretical framework and ideas, while the empirical approach tests and validates these concepts through observation and measurement.

By combining the strengths of both approaches, researchers can develop comprehensive and robust theories. The conceptual approach allows for the exploration of new ideas and the development of theoretical frameworks, while the empirical approach provides the necessary evidence to support or refute these concepts.

Furthermore, the integration of conceptual and empirical approaches can lead to a more holistic understanding of complex phenomena. The conceptual approach helps researchers identify relevant variables and relationships, guiding the design of empirical studies. The empirical approach, in turn, provides data that can refine and improve conceptual frameworks.

It is important to note that the choice between the conceptual and empirical approaches depends on the research question, the nature of the subject under investigation, and the available resources. Some research questions may require a more theoretical and conceptual analysis, while others may necessitate empirical data collection and experimentation.

Conceptual and empirical approaches are two distinct but interconnected methods used in various fields of study. While the conceptual approach relies on abstract ideas and theories, the empirical approach emphasizes the collection and analysis of observable data. Both approaches have their strengths and limitations, and their integration can lead to a more comprehensive understanding of complex phenomena.

Researchers should carefully consider the attributes of both approaches and choose the most appropriate method based on their research question and objectives. By utilizing the strengths of both conceptual and empirical approaches, researchers can contribute to the advancement of knowledge and make meaningful contributions to their respective fields.

Comparisons may contain inaccurate information about people, places, or facts. Please report any issues.

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Understanding Conceptual vs Empirical Research: Definitions, Differences, and Frameworks

Research methodologies are fundamental to the advancement of scientific knowledge. Conceptual and empirical research are distinct approaches, each with its unique focus and methodology. This section will explore these two types of research, providing definitions and examples to elucidate their differences and applications, in sort understanding Conceptual vs Empirical Research.

Table of Contents

Definition of Conceptual Research

Conceptual research primarily focuses on abstract ideas and theories rather than empirical observation. This type of research involves synthesizing and analyzing existing knowledge to formulate new theoretical insights or reinterpret existing ones without direct observation or experimentation.

Focus on Abstract Ideas and Theories: Conceptual research delves into abstract concepts to propose new theories or provide a novel interpretation of existing theories. It leverages deductive reasoning and logical analysis to explore and expand the theoretical framework of a subject.

Examples of Conceptual Research in Various Fields:

Philosophy: Immanuel Kant’s “ Critique of Pure Reason ” is an exemplary piece of conceptual research, offering a foundational analysis of metaphysics and epistemology without empirical investigation.

Mathematics: The development of non-Euclidean geometry by mathematicians like Lobachevsky and Bolyai, which redefined traditional notions of space using theoretical models, not empirical evidence.

Economics: John Maynard Keynes’ formulation of Keynesian economics was initially a conceptual framework that adjusted the existing economic theories to explain periods of economic downturn better.

1. Definition of Empirical Research

In contrast, empirical research is based on direct observation or experience, relying on experimental and observational methods to collect data that can inform scientific theories. This approach is fundamental in fields where practical experiments and observations are used to test hypotheses and develop new knowledge.

Based on Observation and Experimentation: Empirical research requires data collection through direct observation or experimentation. This approach ensures that theories are tested against observable reality, grounding theoretical insights in empirical evidence.

Examples of Empirical Research in Action:

Biology: Charles Darwin’s use of empirical evidence from his voyage on the HMS Beagle led to the development of the theory of natural selection.

Physics: The use of particle accelerators to observe subatomic particles directly, testing theoretical predictions about particle physics.

Psychology: Using controlled experiments, like the Stanford prison experiment, to observe human behavior in simulated conditions.

2. Differences Between Conceptual and Empirical Research

To clarify the distinctions between conceptual and empirical research, the following table summarizes the main differences based on several key attributes:

3. Understanding Conceptual Frameworks in Research

A conceptual framework plays a crucial role in both types of research, particularly in guiding the research design and interpretation of data in complex studies.

What is a Conceptual Framework?

A conceptual framework is a coherent system of concepts, assumptions, expectations, beliefs, and theories supporting research. It serves as a map that guides the research by clarifying the key variables and their presumed relationships.

Definition and Role in Research:

A conceptual framework helps to organize the research questions, design, and methodology by providing a precise model of the relationships among the variables involved. It ensures the research has a solid theoretical base and a clear investigatory pathway.

How It Guides Research Questions and Design:

The conceptual framework helps shape the research questions and influence the study’s design by delineating the key variables and hypothesized relationships. It ensures that the research objectives are clearly mapped and aligned with the broader theoretical issues.

Components of a Conceptual Framework

Key Variables and Hypotheses: Identifies the specific variables being studied and their hypothesized relationships. For example, in a study on the impact of social media on youth, key variables might include hours spent on social media, academic performance, and anxiety levels.

The Role of Background Literature: Background literature utilizes existing research and theories to justify the selection of variables and the proposed relationships. It helps to ground the conceptual framework in existing knowledge, providing a rationale for the expected relationships and guiding the development of research hypotheses.

4. Conceptual vs. Theoretical Frameworks

While often used interchangeably, conceptual and theoretical frameworks serve different roles in research.

Definition of Theoretical Framework

A theoretical framework is based on tested and validated theories. It serves as the foundation for identifying which theories will guide the research, the relationships between the variables, and the formulation of hypotheses.

How It Underpins the Study with Existing Theories:

The theoretical framework involves applying specific theories, often from different fields, to frame the research question and interpret the findings. For example, a theoretical framework might use Piaget’s stages of cognitive development to analyze how children learn in educational settings.

Differences and Similarities

Conceptual frameworks are typically developed as initial models to guide the early stages of research, helping to identify key variables and hypotheses. In contrast, theoretical frameworks are based on existing theories and are used to interpret data after empirical research. Despite these differences, both frameworks aim to clarify relationships among key variables and guide research by providing a structured approach to understanding the studied phenomena, ensuring research is grounded in and contributes to theoretical knowledge.

When to Use Each Framework:

Conceptual frameworks are used when existing theories are insufficient to explain new phenomena or when a study aims to reinterpret or extend theoretical approaches, guiding the initial exploration of variables and hypotheses. Theoretical frameworks are utilized when a well-established theory can be directly applied to a research problem, often used to interpret data after empirical research. Both frameworks aim to clarify relationships among key variables and guide the research process, providing structured approaches to understanding the studied phenomena.

Examples Illustrating Their Use in Research:

A conceptual framework is used in studies where established theories may not sufficiently explain new phenomena. For instance, a survey of the role of innovation in small businesses might develop a conceptual framework incorporating variables like organizational culture, market dynamics, and technology adoption without initially applying a specific established theory. This helps explore and identify key variables and formulate initial hypotheses, setting the stage for empirical investigation.

Conversely, a theoretical framework is applied when a well-established theory can be directly used to address the research problem. An example is research on voter behavior, where the Theory of Planned Behavior is used to model how attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived control influence voting intentions. This approach uses existing theories to interpret the data after conducting empirical research. Both frameworks are essential in providing a structured research approach, clarifying relationships among key variables, and guiding the process to enhance scientific knowledge and understanding.

5. How to Develop a Conceptual Framework

Developing a conceptual framework is a critical step in the research process, particularly in qualitative research, where integrating theoretical and empirical observations is foundational. This section outlines a step-by-step guide to creating a robust conceptual framework, identifying key variables, establishing relationships, and using appropriate tools and techniques.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Framework

6. Examples of Conceptual Frameworks in Qualitative Research

Conceptual frameworks play a vital role in qualitative research by providing a structured lens through which the study is conducted. This section presents a case study as an example of a conceptual framework in action and discusses how these frameworks inform qualitative research.

Case Study: Example of a Conceptual Framework in a Qualitative Study

Study Overview: The study examined how social media influences teenagers’ self-esteem. The key variables identified were social media usage, peer influence, and self-esteem levels.

Framework Development:

This conceptual framework examines how social media usage and peer influence affect teenagers’ self-esteem. Social media usage, measured by time spent and engagement, negatively impacts self-esteem. This is because teenagers are exposed to more peer comparisons online, leading to feelings of inadequacy. However, the framework suggests that positive peer influence can moderate this relationship. In other words, supportive online and offline interactions with peers can buffer the negative effects of social media on self-esteem.

Conceptual frameworks are particularly valuable for qualitative research. Defining key elements and their hypothesized connections ensures research methods align with the study’s goals. Additionally, they provide a foundation for interpreting data, allowing researchers to explore the “why” behind the “what” and draw more profound insights into the phenomenon under investigation.

7. Practical Tips and Common Mistakes

Developing an effective conceptual framework requires careful thought and a structured approach. Below are practical tips and common pitfalls to avoid during this process.

Tips for Developing Effective Conceptual Frameworks

8. Conclusion

Conceptual and empirical research, though distinct in methods (theory vs. data), work together to explore and explain phenomena. One builds theories; the other tests them. Researchers who thoughtfully use both frameworks can create stronger, clearer studies that ultimately improve our understanding of complex issues.

FAQS About Conceptual vs Empirical Research

What is a conceptual framework in qualitative research.

In qualitative research, a conceptual framework acts like a roadmap that guides your study. It clarifies the key concepts (variables) you’ll explore, how they might relate and the theoretical underpinnings that inform your research question. It helps you analyze your qualitative data (interviews, observations, etc.) through the lens of these defined relationships.

How does a conceptual framework differ from a theoretical one in practical terms?

Scope: A conceptual framework is more specific to your research question, focusing on the variables and relationships you’re investigating. A broader theoretical framework outlines general principles and concepts within a discipline. Development: A conceptual framework is often developed during research, informed by your literature review and evolving understanding. A theoretical framework is usually pre-established within a particular field. Purpose: A conceptual framework helps you make sense of your qualitative data and draw conclusions. A theoretical framework provides a foundation for interpreting your findings within a larger body of knowledge.

Can empirical research have a conceptual framework?

Yes! While less common, empirical research (quantitative studies) can benefit from a conceptual framework. It helps you define the variables you’ll measure, how they might influence each other, and the hypotheses you want to test.

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• What is conceptual research: Definition & examples

Defne Çobanoğlu

How did Newton figure out the gravity after seeing an apple fall from a tree? What kind of research did Nicolaus Copernicus conduct to figure out that the planets revolve around the sun and not vice versa? It is certain that they did not conduct practical experiments to figure this stuff out.

The type of research these two scientists do is called conceptual research. They basically observed their surroundings to conceptualize and develop theories about gravitation, motion, and astronomy. That is what some scientists and philosophers do to wrap their heads around existing concepts and new ideas. Now, let us see what exactly conceptual research is and other details.

• What is conceptual research?

Conceptual research is a type of research that does not involve conducting any practical experiments . It is based on observing and analyzing already existing concepts and theories. The researcher can observe their surroundings and develop brand-new theories, or they can build on existing ones.

Conceptual research is widely used in the study of philosophy to develop new ideas. And this type of research is also used to answer business questions and organize ideas, or interpret existing theories differently.

Conceptual research definition

• Conceptual research frameworks

Even if the researcher is not conducting any experiments of their own, they should still work in a systematic manner, to be precise. And a conceptual research framework is built around existing literature and appropriate research studies that can explain the phenomenon. Here is a step-by-step guide to creating a conceptual research framework:

The steps for a conceptual research framework

1 - Define a topic for research:

The first step in creating your research framework is to choose the topic you will be working on. Most researchers define a topic in their area of expertise and go along with it.

2 - Collect relevant literature:

After deciding on the subject, the next and most important step is collecting relevant literature. As this type of research heavily relies on existing literature, it is important to find reliable sources. Successfully collecting relevant information is key to successfully completing this step. The reliable sources one can use are:

• scientific journals
• research papers (published by well-known scientists)
• Public libraries
• Online databases
• Relevant books

3 - Identify specific variables:

In this step, identify specific variables that may affect your research. These variables may give your study a new scope and a new area to cover during your research. For example, let us say you want to conduct research about the occurrence of depression in teenage boys aged 14 to 19. Here, the two variables are teenage boys and depression.

During your research, you figure that substance abuse among teenage boys has a big effect on their mental wellbeings. Therefore, you add substance abuse as a relevant variable and be mindful of that when you are continuing your research. 

4 - Create the framework:

The final step is creating the framework after going through all the relevant data available. The research question in hand becomes the research framework

• Conceptual research examples

When a researcher decides on the subject they want to explore, the next thing they should decide is what kind of methods they want to do. They can choose the experiments and surveys, but sometimes these methods are not possible for different reasons. And when they can not do practical experimenting, they can use existing literature and observation. Here are two examples where conceptual research can be used: 

• Example 1 of conceptual research:

A researcher wants to explore the key factors that influence consumer behavior in the online shopping environment. That is their research question. Once the researcher decides on the subject, they can begin by reviewing the existing literature on consumer behavior and examining different theories and models of consumer behavior. 

Then, they can identify common themes or factors that have emerged. By understanding this phenomenon, the researcher can develop a conceptual framework.

• Example 2 of conceptual research:

A group of researchers wants to see if there is any correlation between chemically dyeing your hair and the risk of cancer in women. They can start collecting data on women that had cancer and usage of hair dye. They can collect research papers on this particular subject. And they can create a conceptual framework with the information they collected and analyzed.

• Advantages and disadvantages of conceptual research

There are multiple research types for researchers to get to the goal they want, and they all offer different advantages. It is up to the researchers to decide on the most suitable one for their study and go along with that. The conceptual study also has its positive and negative aspects one should have in mind. Now, let us go through the list of conceptual research advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages vs. disadvantages of conceptual research

Advantages of conceptual research:

• Requires fewer sources: This type of research does not involve any type of experiment. Therefore it saves money, energy, and manpower. It only involves theorizing and searching through existing literature. 
• Generates new ideas:  Conceptual research can help generate new ideas and hypotheses. Researchers can use data collection to add on top of abstract ideas or concepts
• Helps to identify patterns: Conceptual research can help identify patterns in complex concepts and help develop a conceptual analysis. This can lead to a better understanding of how different factors are related to each other.

Disadvantages of conceptual research:

• Questionable reliability and validity: Conclusions drawn from literature reviews on conceptual research topics are less fact-based and may not essentially be considered dependable. Because they are not backed up by practical experimentation, they may have less credibility.
• May be prone to subjectivity: Because it relies on abstract concepts, conceptual research may be influenced by personal biases and perspectives. Researchers should be mindful of this effect and act on it accordingly.
• Can be time-consuming:  As conceptual research involves extensive research and analyses of relevant literature, it may take a longer time to finalize the study on hand. This can be challenging for researchers who are working within time constraints.
• Conceptual research vs. empirical research

Conceptual research is about creating an idea after looking at existing data or adding on a theory after going through available literature. And the empirical research includes something different than the prior one. Empirical research involves research based on observation, experiments, and verifiable evidence .

The main difference between the two is the fact that empirical research involves doing experiments to develop a conceptual framework. Empirical research studies are observable and measurable as they are verifiable by observations or experience. In order to see if a study is empirical, you can ask yourself this question: Can I create this study and test these results myself?

The difference between conceptual research and empirical research

• Wrapping it up

Once you encounter a problem you want to solve but you are unable to do experiments, you can go with conceptual research. Instead of conducting experiments, you should find appropriate existing literature and analyze them thoroughly. Just then, you can create a conceptual framework.

And you can always use the help of a good online tool for your needs when doing research. The best tool for all your needs, from forms to surveys to questionnaires, is forms.app. forms.app is an online survey maker that offers more than 1000 ready-to-use templates and can be the help you need!

Defne is a content writer at forms.app. She is also a translator specializing in literary translation. Defne loves reading, writing, and translating professionally and as a hobby. Her expertise lies in survey research, research methodologies, content writing, and translation.

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Theoretical vs Conceptual Framework

What they are & how they’re different (with examples)

By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Reviewed By: Eunice Rautenbach (DTech) | March 2023

If you’re new to academic research, sooner or later you’re bound to run into the terms theoretical framework and conceptual framework . These are closely related but distinctly different things (despite some people using them interchangeably) and it’s important to understand what each means. In this post, we’ll unpack both theoretical and conceptual frameworks in plain language along with practical examples , so that you can approach your research with confidence.

Overview: Theoretical vs Conceptual

What is a theoretical framework, example of a theoretical framework, what is a conceptual framework, example of a conceptual framework.

• Theoretical vs conceptual: which one should I use?

A theoretical framework (also sometimes referred to as a foundation of theory) is essentially a set of concepts, definitions, and propositions that together form a structured, comprehensive view of a specific phenomenon.

In other words, a theoretical framework is a collection of existing theories, models and frameworks that provides a foundation of core knowledge – a “lay of the land”, so to speak, from which you can build a research study. For this reason, it’s usually presented fairly early within the literature review section of a dissertation, thesis or research paper .

Let’s look at an example to make the theoretical framework a little more tangible.

If your research aims involve understanding what factors contributed toward people trusting investment brokers, you’d need to first lay down some theory so that it’s crystal clear what exactly you mean by this. For example, you would need to define what you mean by “trust”, as there are many potential definitions of this concept. The same would be true for any other constructs or variables of interest.

You’d also need to identify what existing theories have to say in relation to your research aim. In this case, you could discuss some of the key literature in relation to organisational trust. A quick search on Google Scholar using some well-considered keywords generally provides a good starting point.

Typically, you’ll present your theoretical framework in written form , although sometimes it will make sense to utilise some visuals to show how different theories relate to each other. Your theoretical framework may revolve around just one major theory , or it could comprise a collection of different interrelated theories and models. In some cases, there will be a lot to cover and in some cases, not. Regardless of size, the theoretical framework is a critical ingredient in any study.

Simply put, the theoretical framework is the core foundation of theory that you’ll build your research upon. As we’ve mentioned many times on the blog, good research is developed by standing on the shoulders of giants . It’s extremely unlikely that your research topic will be completely novel and that there’ll be absolutely no existing theory that relates to it. If that’s the case, the most likely explanation is that you just haven’t reviewed enough literature yet! So, make sure that you take the time to review and digest the seminal sources.

Need a helping hand?

A conceptual framework is typically a visual representation (although it can also be written out) of the expected relationships and connections between various concepts, constructs or variables. In other words, a conceptual framework visualises how the researcher views and organises the various concepts and variables within their study. This is typically based on aspects drawn from the theoretical framework, so there is a relationship between the two.

Quite commonly, conceptual frameworks are used to visualise the potential causal relationships and pathways that the researcher expects to find, based on their understanding of both the theoretical literature and the existing empirical research . Therefore, the conceptual framework is often used to develop research questions and hypotheses .

Let’s look at an example of a conceptual framework to make it a little more tangible. You’ll notice that in this specific conceptual framework, the hypotheses are integrated into the visual, helping to connect the rest of the document to the framework.

As you can see, conceptual frameworks often make use of different shapes , lines and arrows to visualise the connections and relationships between different components and/or variables. Ultimately, the conceptual framework provides an opportunity for you to make explicit your understanding of how everything is connected . So, be sure to make use of all the visual aids you can – clean design, well-considered colours and concise text are your friends.

Theoretical framework vs conceptual framework

As you can see, the theoretical framework and the conceptual framework are closely related concepts, but they differ in terms of focus and purpose. The theoretical framework is used to lay down a foundation of theory on which your study will be built, whereas the conceptual framework visualises what you anticipate the relationships between concepts, constructs and variables may be, based on your understanding of the existing literature and the specific context and focus of your research. In other words, they’re different tools for different jobs , but they’re neighbours in the toolbox.

Naturally, the theoretical framework and the conceptual framework are not mutually exclusive . In fact, it’s quite likely that you’ll include both in your dissertation or thesis, especially if your research aims involve investigating relationships between variables. Of course, every research project is different and universities differ in terms of their expectations for dissertations and theses, so it’s always a good idea to have a look at past projects to get a feel for what the norms and expectations are at your specific institution.

Want to learn more about research terminology, methods and techniques? Be sure to check out the rest of the Grad Coach blog . Alternatively, if you’re looking for hands-on help, have a look at our private coaching service , where we hold your hand through the research process, step by step.

Psst... there’s more!

This post was based on one of our popular Research Bootcamps . If you're working on a research project, you'll definitely want to check this out ...

23 Comments

Thank you for giving a valuable lesson

good thanks!

VERY INSIGHTFUL

thanks for given very interested understand about both theoritical and conceptual framework

I am researching teacher beliefs about inclusive education but not using a theoretical framework just conceptual frame using teacher beliefs, inclusive education and inclusive practices as my concepts

good, fantastic

great! thanks for the clarification. I am planning to use both for my implementation evaluation of EmONC service at primary health care facility level. its theoretical foundation rooted from the principles of implementation science.

This is a good one…now have a better understanding of Theoretical and Conceptual frameworks. Highly grateful

Very educating and fantastic,good to be part of you guys,I appreciate your enlightened concern.

Thanks for shedding light on these two t opics. Much clearer in my head now.

Simple and clear!

The differences between the two topics was well explained, thank you very much!

Thank you great insight

Superb. Thank you so much.

Hello Gradcoach! I’m excited with your fantastic educational videos which mainly focused on all over research process. I’m a student, I kindly ask and need your support. So, if it’s possible please send me the PDF format of all topic provided here, I put my email below, thank you!

I am really grateful I found this website. This is very helpful for an MPA student like myself.

I’m clear with these two terminologies now. Useful information. I appreciate it. Thank you

I’m well inform about these two concepts in research. Thanks

I found this really helpful. It is well explained. Thank you.

very clear and useful. information important at start of research!!

Wow, great information, clear and concise review of the differences between theoretical and conceptual frameworks. Thank you! keep up the good work.

thank you so much. Educative and realistic.

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Conceptual Research and its differences with Empirical Research

by Bastis Consultores | Sep 20, 2021 | Methodology | 0 comments

Conceptual research, as the name suggests, is research related to abstract concepts and ideas. It does not involve practical experimentation, but is based on the researcher analyzing the available information on a given topic. Conceptual research has been widely used in the study of philosophy to develop new theories, counter existing theories, or interpret existing theories in a different way.

Components of Conceptual Research

Conceptual research framework.

A conceptual research framework is constructed from existing literature and studies from which inferences can be drawn. The study is carried out to reduce existing knowledge gaps on a particular topic and to make relevant and reliable information available.

To create a conceptual research framework, the following steps can be followed:

Defining a research topic

The first step of the framework is to clearly define the topic of your research. Most researchers will choose a topic related to their field of expertise.

Collecting and organizing relevant research

Since conceptual research is based on pre-existing studies and literature, researchers should collect all pertinent information related to their topic.

It is important to use reliable sources and data from reputable scientific journals or research papers. As conceptual research does not employ the use of practical experimentation, the importance of analyzing reliable, fact-based studies is reinforced.

Identifying variables for research

The next step is to select the variables relevant to the research. These variables will be the scales with which the inferences will be made. They give a new scope to the research and also help to identify how the different variables may be affecting the subject of the research.

Creating the framework

The last step is to create the research framework using the relevant literature, variables and any other relevant material. The statement of the main question/problem of the research becomes your research framework.

Conceptual Research Example

An example of conceptual research is the philosophy of Thomas Malthus set forth in his book “An Essay on the Principle of Population”. In his book, Malthus theorized that due to disease, famine, war, and/or calamities, the human population would cease to expand.

His theory was based on observations about human population growth and the growth of food production. He claimed that the human population increased geometrically while food production only increased arithmetically. To reach this conclusion he used existing population and food statistics. Based on this information, he assumed that humans would end up being unable to produce enough food to support themselves.

For many reasons, Malthus’s theory was wrong. One of the most important is that technological advances were not taken into account, probably due to the time in which the research was carried out. Technological advances and global interconnection enabled a massive increase in food production and stimulated the flow of food from one country to another.

Although Multhus’s theory was based on the current statistics of his time, his observations turned out to be false.

Advantages of Conceptual Research

It requires few resources, compared to other forms of market research where practical experimentation is required. This saves time and resources.

It is a convenient form of research: As this form of research only requires the evaluation of the existing literature, it turns out to be a relatively convenient form of research.

Disadvantages of Conceptual Research

Questionable reliability and validity: Theories based on existing literature, rather than experimentation and observation, draw conclusions that are less based on facts and cannot necessarily be considered reliable.

It is subject to a greater number of errors or subjectivity: We often see that philosophical theories are refuted or revised because their conclusions are inferences drawn from existing texts and not from practical experimentation.

Conceptual Research vs Empirical Research

Scientific research is usually divided into two classes: conceptual research and empirical research. Before there were different ways of investigating and a researcher prided himself on being one or the other, praising his method and despising the alternative. Today the distinction is not so clear.

Conceptual research focuses on the concept or theory that explains or describes the phenomenon studied. What causes the disease? How can we describe the movement of the planets? What are the basic components of matter? The conceptual researcher sits at his desk with a pen in his hand and tries to solve these problems by thinking about them.

He doesn’t do experiments, but he can use the observations of others, since this is the mass of data he tries to make sense of. Until recently, conceptual research methodology was considered the most honorable form of research: it required using the brain, not the hands. Researchers who did experiments, like alchemists, were considered little better than blacksmiths: “disgusting empiricals.”

What is empirical research?

Despite their high status, conceptual researchers regularly produced theories that were wrong. Aristotle taught that large cannonballs fell to earth faster than small ones, and many generations of professors repeated his teachings until Galileo proved them wrong. Galileo was an empiricist of the best kind, who conducted original experiments not only to destroy old theories but to provide the basis for new theories.

The backlash against the ivory tower theorists culminated in those claiming to have no use for the theory, arguing that the empirical acquisition of knowledge was the only path to truth. A pure empiricist simply graphed the data and saw if he would get a straight-line relationship between the variables. If so, it had a good “empirical” relationship that allowed useful predictions to be made. The theory behind the correlation was irrelevant.

Conceptual Questions and Empirical Questions

Conceptual questions.

Philosophical questions tend to be conceptual in nature. This means that they cannot be answered simply by giving facts or information. A concept is the object of a thought, not something that is present to the senses.

Concepts are not a mystery, and although they are “abstract,” we use them all the time to organize our thinking. We literally couldn’t think or communicate without concepts. Some common examples of concepts are “justice,” “beauty,” and “truth,” but also “seven,” “blue,” or “big.”

When we ask a philosophical conceptual question, we usually inquire into the nature of something, or ask a question about how something is as it is. Ancient philosophers, such as Plato, posed conceptual questions such as “What is justice?” as the basis of philosophy. The statements “That action is wrong” or “Knowledge is a true justified belief” are conceptual statements.

In papers, you will often be asked to consider concepts, analyze and describe how philosophers use them, and perhaps compare them between texts. For example, you may be asked, “Do animals have rights?” This question asks you to consider what a right is and whether it is the kind of thing an animal should or even might have. He did not wonder whether or not there were any laws that actually granted those rights. Nor does it ask for your opinion on this question, but a reasoned position that is based on philosophical concepts and texts.

Empirical Questions

The word “empirical” means “obtained through experience.” Scientific experiments and observation give rise to empirical data. The scientific theories that organize the data are conceptual. Historical records or the results of sociological or psychological surveys are empirical. Making sense of those records or results requires the use of concepts.

Empirical questions can be answered by giving facts or information. Examples of empirical questions are: “What is the chemical composition of water?” or: “When did the French Revolution occur?” or: “Which education system gives rise to the highest literacy rate?”

The cycle of empirical research

The empirical research cycle is a 5-phase cycle that describes the systematic processes for conducting empirical research. It was developed by the Dutch psychologist A.D. de Groot in the 1940s and it aligns 5 important stages that can be considered deductive approaches to empirical research.

In the methodological cycle of empirical research, all processes are interconnected and neither of them is more important than the other. This cycle clearly outlines the different phases involved in the generation of research hypotheses and in the systematic testing of these hypotheses from empirical data.

Observation

It is the process of collecting empirical data for research. In this phase, the researcher collects relevant empirical data using qualitative or quantitative observation methods, and this serves to support the hypotheses of the research.

At this stage, the researcher makes use of inductive reasoning to reach a probable overall conclusion of the research based on his observation. The researcher generates a general hypothesis that tries to explain the empirical data and goes on to observe the empirical data according to this hypothesis.

It is the stage of deductive reasoning. In it, the researcher generates hypotheses by applying logic and rationality to his observation.

Here the researcher tests the hypotheses using qualitative or quantitative research methods. At the verification stage, the researcher combines the relevant instruments of systematic research with empirical methods to arrive at objective results that support or negate the research hypotheses.

Evaluation research is the final stage of an empirical research study. It presents the empirical data, the conclusions of the research and the arguments that support them, in addition to the problems that have been found during the research process.

This information is useful for future research.

Examples of empirical research

An empirical research study can be conducted to determine whether listening to upbeat music improves people’s mood. The researcher may have to conduct an experiment that involves exposing individuals to upbeat music to see if this improves their mood.

The results of such an experiment will provide empirical evidence that confirms or disproves the hypotheses.

An empirical research study may also be conducted to determine the effects of a new drug on specific groups of people. The researcher may expose research subjects to controlled amounts of the drug and observe the effects over a specific period of time to gather empirical data.

Another example of empirical research is the measurement of noise pollution levels in an urban area to determine the average levels of sound exposure experienced by its inhabitants. In this case, the researcher may have to administer questionnaires or conduct a survey to collect relevant data based on the experiences of the research subjects.

Empirical research can also be conducted to determine the relationship between seasonal migration and the body mass of flying birds. A researcher may need to observe the birds and carry out the observation and experimentation necessary to arrive at objective results that answer the research question.

Methods of data collection from empirical research

Empirical data can be collected using qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. Quantitative data collection methods are used for numerical data collection, while qualitative data collection processes are used to collect empirical data that cannot be quantified, i.e. non-numerical data.

The following are common methods of data collection in empirical research

Survey/ Questionnaire

The survey is a data collection method typically employed by researchers to gather large data sets from a specific number of respondents in relation to a research topic. This method of data collection is often used for quantitative data collection, although it can also be used in quantitative research.

A survey contains a set of questions that can range from closed questions to open-ended questions, along with other types of questions that revolve around the research topic. A survey can be administered physically or with the use of online data collection platforms.

Empirical data can also be collected by conducting an experiment. An experiment is a controlled simulation in which one or more of the variables of the research are manipulated by a set of interconnected processes in order to confirm or refute the hypotheses of the research.

An experiment is a useful method for measuring causality, i.e., cause and effect between dependent and independent variables in a research environment. It is a comprehensive method of data collection in an empirical research study because it involves checking calculated assumptions to arrive at the most valid data and research results.

Case Studies

The case study method is another common method of data collection in an empirical research study. It consists of examining and analyzing relevant cases and real-life experiences on the topic or variables of the research to discover in-depth information that can serve as empirical data.

The observation method is a qualitative data collection method that requires the researcher to study the behaviors of research variables in their natural environments to gather relevant information that can serve as empirical data.

Main Differences Between Conceptual Research and Empirical Research

Conceptual research is a type of research that is usually related to abstract ideas or concepts, while empirical research is any research study in which the conclusions of the study are drawn from evidence verifiable by observation or experience, rather than theory or pure logic.

Conceptual research has to do with abstract ideas and concepts; however, it does not involve any practical experiments. Empirical research, on the other hand, involves phenomena that are observable and measurable.

Type of studies

Philosophical research studies are examples of conceptual research studies, while empirical research includes both quantitative and qualitative studies.

The main difference between conceptual and empirical research is that conceptual research involves abstract ideas and concepts, while empirical research involves research based on observation, experiments, and verifiable evidence.

The Scientific Method: A Bit of Both

Modern scientific method is actually a combination of empirical and conceptual research. From known experimental data, a scientist formulates a working hypothesis to explain some aspect of nature. Then, it conducts new experiments designed to test the predictions of the theory, to support or disprove it. Einstein is often cited as an example of a conceptual researcher, but he based his theories on experimental observations and proposed experiments, real and thought, that would test his theories.

On the other hand, Edison is often considered an empiricist, with the “Edisonian method” being a trial-and-error term. But Edison appreciated the work of theorists and hired some of the best. Random screening of a myriad of possibilities remains valuable: pharmaceutical companies looking for new drugs do so, sometimes with great success.

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Bibliographic References

“Empirical Research: Definition, Methods, Types and Examples” QuestionPro, 14 Dec. 2018.

“Conceptual Research: Definition, Framework, Example and Advantages” QuestionPro, 18 Sept. 2018.

Patrick, M. “Conceptual Framework: A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Make One.” SimplyEducate.Me, 4 Dec. 2018.

You might also be interested in: Research Design: Cross-Sectional Study vs Longitudinal Study

Conceptual Research and its differences with Empirical Research. Photo: Unsplash. Credits: Mimi Thian @mimithian

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Empirical Research

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The term “empirical” entails gathered data based on experience, observations, or experimentation. In empirical research, knowledge is developed from factual experience as opposed to theoretical assumption and usually involved the use of data sources like datasets or fieldwork, but can also be based on observations within a laboratory setting. Testing hypothesis or answering definite questions is a primary feature of empirical research. Empirical research, in other words, involves the process of employing working hypothesis that are tested through experimentation or observation. Hence, empirical research is a method of uncovering empirical evidence.

Through the process of gathering valid empirical data, scientists from a variety of fields, ranging from the social to the natural sciences, have to carefully design their methods. This helps to ensure quality and accuracy of data collection and treatment. However, any error in empirical data collection process could inevitably render such...

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Hossain, F. M. A. (2014). A critical analysis of empiricism. Open Journal of Philosophy, 2014 (4), 225–230.

Kant, I. (1783). Prolegomena to any future metaphysic (trans: Bennett, J.). Early Modern Texts. www.earlymoderntexts.com

Koch, S. (1992). Psychology’s Bridgman vs. Bridgman’s Bridgman: An essay in reconstruction. Theory and Psychology, 2 (3), 261–290.

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Empirical Vs. Conceptual Research

According to ORI, research is defined as the process of discovering new knowledge. Using observations and scientific methods, researchers arrive at a hypothesis, test that hypothesis, and make a conclusion based on the key findings. Scientific research can be divided into empirical and conceptual research. However, modern science combines techniques from both types of research.

To know the difference between empirical and conceptual research, click here .

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Home Market Research

Empirical Research: Definition, Methods, Types and Examples

Content Index

Empirical research: Definition

Empirical research: origin, quantitative research methods, qualitative research methods, steps for conducting empirical research, empirical research methodology cycle, advantages of empirical research, disadvantages of empirical research, why is there a need for empirical research.

Empirical research is defined as any research where conclusions of the study is strictly drawn from concretely empirical evidence, and therefore “verifiable” evidence.

This empirical evidence can be gathered using quantitative market research and  qualitative market research  methods.

For example: A research is being conducted to find out if listening to happy music in the workplace while working may promote creativity? An experiment is conducted by using a music website survey on a set of audience who are exposed to happy music and another set who are not listening to music at all, and the subjects are then observed. The results derived from such a research will give empirical evidence if it does promote creativity or not.

LEARN ABOUT: Behavioral Research

You must have heard the quote” I will not believe it unless I see it”. This came from the ancient empiricists, a fundamental understanding that powered the emergence of medieval science during the renaissance period and laid the foundation of modern science, as we know it today. The word itself has its roots in greek. It is derived from the greek word empeirikos which means “experienced”.

In today’s world, the word empirical refers to collection of data using evidence that is collected through observation or experience or by using calibrated scientific instruments. All of the above origins have one thing in common which is dependence of observation and experiments to collect data and test them to come up with conclusions.

LEARN ABOUT: Causal Research

Types and methodologies of empirical research

Empirical research can be conducted and analysed using qualitative or quantitative methods.

• Quantitative research : Quantitative research methods are used to gather information through numerical data. It is used to quantify opinions, behaviors or other defined variables . These are predetermined and are in a more structured format. Some of the commonly used methods are survey, longitudinal studies, polls, etc
• Qualitative research:   Qualitative research methods are used to gather non numerical data.  It is used to find meanings, opinions, or the underlying reasons from its subjects. These methods are unstructured or semi structured. The sample size for such a research is usually small and it is a conversational type of method to provide more insight or in-depth information about the problem Some of the most popular forms of methods are focus groups, experiments, interviews, etc.

Data collected from these will need to be analysed. Empirical evidence can also be analysed either quantitatively and qualitatively. Using this, the researcher can answer empirical questions which have to be clearly defined and answerable with the findings he has got. The type of research design used will vary depending on the field in which it is going to be used. Many of them might choose to do a collective research involving quantitative and qualitative method to better answer questions which cannot be studied in a laboratory setting.

LEARN ABOUT: Qualitative Research Questions and Questionnaires

Quantitative research methods aid in analyzing the empirical evidence gathered. By using these a researcher can find out if his hypothesis is supported or not.

• Survey research: Survey research generally involves a large audience to collect a large amount of data. This is a quantitative method having a predetermined set of closed questions which are pretty easy to answer. Because of the simplicity of such a method, high responses are achieved. It is one of the most commonly used methods for all kinds of research in today’s world.

Previously, surveys were taken face to face only with maybe a recorder. However, with advancement in technology and for ease, new mediums such as emails , or social media have emerged.

For example: Depletion of energy resources is a growing concern and hence there is a need for awareness about renewable energy. According to recent studies, fossil fuels still account for around 80% of energy consumption in the United States. Even though there is a rise in the use of green energy every year, there are certain parameters because of which the general population is still not opting for green energy. In order to understand why, a survey can be conducted to gather opinions of the general population about green energy and the factors that influence their choice of switching to renewable energy. Such a survey can help institutions or governing bodies to promote appropriate awareness and incentive schemes to push the use of greener energy.

Learn more: Renewable Energy Survey Template Descriptive Research vs Correlational Research

• Experimental research: In experimental research , an experiment is set up and a hypothesis is tested by creating a situation in which one of the variable is manipulated. This is also used to check cause and effect. It is tested to see what happens to the independent variable if the other one is removed or altered. The process for such a method is usually proposing a hypothesis, experimenting on it, analyzing the findings and reporting the findings to understand if it supports the theory or not.

For example: A particular product company is trying to find what is the reason for them to not be able to capture the market. So the organisation makes changes in each one of the processes like manufacturing, marketing, sales and operations. Through the experiment they understand that sales training directly impacts the market coverage for their product. If the person is trained well, then the product will have better coverage.

• Correlational research: Correlational research is used to find relation between two set of variables . Regression analysis is generally used to predict outcomes of such a method. It can be positive, negative or neutral correlation.

LEARN ABOUT: Level of Analysis

For example: Higher educated individuals will get higher paying jobs. This means higher education enables the individual to high paying job and less education will lead to lower paying jobs.

• Longitudinal study: Longitudinal study is used to understand the traits or behavior of a subject under observation after repeatedly testing the subject over a period of time. Data collected from such a method can be qualitative or quantitative in nature.

For example: A research to find out benefits of exercise. The target is asked to exercise everyday for a particular period of time and the results show higher endurance, stamina, and muscle growth. This supports the fact that exercise benefits an individual body.

• Cross sectional: Cross sectional study is an observational type of method, in which a set of audience is observed at a given point in time. In this type, the set of people are chosen in a fashion which depicts similarity in all the variables except the one which is being researched. This type does not enable the researcher to establish a cause and effect relationship as it is not observed for a continuous time period. It is majorly used by healthcare sector or the retail industry.

For example: A medical study to find the prevalence of under-nutrition disorders in kids of a given population. This will involve looking at a wide range of parameters like age, ethnicity, location, incomes  and social backgrounds. If a significant number of kids coming from poor families show under-nutrition disorders, the researcher can further investigate into it. Usually a cross sectional study is followed by a longitudinal study to find out the exact reason.

• Causal-Comparative research : This method is based on comparison. It is mainly used to find out cause-effect relationship between two variables or even multiple variables.

For example: A researcher measured the productivity of employees in a company which gave breaks to the employees during work and compared that to the employees of the company which did not give breaks at all.

LEARN ABOUT: Action Research

Some research questions need to be analysed qualitatively, as quantitative methods are not applicable there. In many cases, in-depth information is needed or a researcher may need to observe a target audience behavior, hence the results needed are in a descriptive analysis form. Qualitative research results will be descriptive rather than predictive. It enables the researcher to build or support theories for future potential quantitative research. In such a situation qualitative research methods are used to derive a conclusion to support the theory or hypothesis being studied.

LEARN ABOUT: Qualitative Interview

• Case study: Case study method is used to find more information through carefully analyzing existing cases. It is very often used for business research or to gather empirical evidence for investigation purpose. It is a method to investigate a problem within its real life context through existing cases. The researcher has to carefully analyse making sure the parameter and variables in the existing case are the same as to the case that is being investigated. Using the findings from the case study, conclusions can be drawn regarding the topic that is being studied.

For example: A report mentioning the solution provided by a company to its client. The challenges they faced during initiation and deployment, the findings of the case and solutions they offered for the problems. Such case studies are used by most companies as it forms an empirical evidence for the company to promote in order to get more business.

• Observational method:   Observational method is a process to observe and gather data from its target. Since it is a qualitative method it is time consuming and very personal. It can be said that observational research method is a part of ethnographic research which is also used to gather empirical evidence. This is usually a qualitative form of research, however in some cases it can be quantitative as well depending on what is being studied.

For example: setting up a research to observe a particular animal in the rain-forests of amazon. Such a research usually take a lot of time as observation has to be done for a set amount of time to study patterns or behavior of the subject. Another example used widely nowadays is to observe people shopping in a mall to figure out buying behavior of consumers.

• One-on-one interview: Such a method is purely qualitative and one of the most widely used. The reason being it enables a researcher get precise meaningful data if the right questions are asked. It is a conversational method where in-depth data can be gathered depending on where the conversation leads.

For example: A one-on-one interview with the finance minister to gather data on financial policies of the country and its implications on the public.

• Focus groups: Focus groups are used when a researcher wants to find answers to why, what and how questions. A small group is generally chosen for such a method and it is not necessary to interact with the group in person. A moderator is generally needed in case the group is being addressed in person. This is widely used by product companies to collect data about their brands and the product.

For example: A mobile phone manufacturer wanting to have a feedback on the dimensions of one of their models which is yet to be launched. Such studies help the company meet the demand of the customer and position their model appropriately in the market.

• Text analysis: Text analysis method is a little new compared to the other types. Such a method is used to analyse social life by going through images or words used by the individual. In today’s world, with social media playing a major part of everyone’s life, such a method enables the research to follow the pattern that relates to his study.

For example: A lot of companies ask for feedback from the customer in detail mentioning how satisfied are they with their customer support team. Such data enables the researcher to take appropriate decisions to make their support team better.

Sometimes a combination of the methods is also needed for some questions that cannot be answered using only one type of method especially when a researcher needs to gain a complete understanding of complex subject matter.

We recently published a blog that talks about examples of qualitative data in education ; why don’t you check it out for more ideas?

Learn More: Data Collection Methods: Types & Examples

Since empirical research is based on observation and capturing experiences, it is important to plan the steps to conduct the experiment and how to analyse it. This will enable the researcher to resolve problems or obstacles which can occur during the experiment.

Step #1: Define the purpose of the research

This is the step where the researcher has to answer questions like what exactly do I want to find out? What is the problem statement? Are there any issues in terms of the availability of knowledge, data, time or resources. Will this research be more beneficial than what it will cost.

Before going ahead, a researcher has to clearly define his purpose for the research and set up a plan to carry out further tasks.

Step #2 : Supporting theories and relevant literature

The researcher needs to find out if there are theories which can be linked to his research problem . He has to figure out if any theory can help him support his findings. All kind of relevant literature will help the researcher to find if there are others who have researched this before, or what are the problems faced during this research. The researcher will also have to set up assumptions and also find out if there is any history regarding his research problem

Step #3: Creation of Hypothesis and measurement

Before beginning the actual research he needs to provide himself a working hypothesis or guess what will be the probable result. Researcher has to set up variables, decide the environment for the research and find out how can he relate between the variables.

Researcher will also need to define the units of measurements, tolerable degree for errors, and find out if the measurement chosen will be acceptable by others.

Step #4: Methodology, research design and data collection

In this step, the researcher has to define a strategy for conducting his research. He has to set up experiments to collect data which will enable him to propose the hypothesis. The researcher will decide whether he will need experimental or non experimental method for conducting the research. The type of research design will vary depending on the field in which the research is being conducted. Last but not the least, the researcher will have to find out parameters that will affect the validity of the research design. Data collection will need to be done by choosing appropriate samples depending on the research question. To carry out the research, he can use one of the many sampling techniques. Once data collection is complete, researcher will have empirical data which needs to be analysed.

LEARN ABOUT: Best Data Collection Tools

Step #5: Data Analysis and result

Data analysis can be done in two ways, qualitatively and quantitatively. Researcher will need to find out what qualitative method or quantitative method will be needed or will he need a combination of both. Depending on the unit of analysis of his data, he will know if his hypothesis is supported or rejected. Analyzing this data is the most important part to support his hypothesis.

Step #6: Conclusion

A report will need to be made with the findings of the research. The researcher can give the theories and literature that support his research. He can make suggestions or recommendations for further research on his topic.

A.D. de Groot, a famous dutch psychologist and a chess expert conducted some of the most notable experiments using chess in the 1940’s. During his study, he came up with a cycle which is consistent and now widely used to conduct empirical research. It consists of 5 phases with each phase being as important as the next one. The empirical cycle captures the process of coming up with hypothesis about how certain subjects work or behave and then testing these hypothesis against empirical data in a systematic and rigorous approach. It can be said that it characterizes the deductive approach to science. Following is the empirical cycle.

• Observation: At this phase an idea is sparked for proposing a hypothesis. During this phase empirical data is gathered using observation. For example: a particular species of flower bloom in a different color only during a specific season.
• Induction: Inductive reasoning is then carried out to form a general conclusion from the data gathered through observation. For example: As stated above it is observed that the species of flower blooms in a different color during a specific season. A researcher may ask a question “does the temperature in the season cause the color change in the flower?” He can assume that is the case, however it is a mere conjecture and hence an experiment needs to be set up to support this hypothesis. So he tags a few set of flowers kept at a different temperature and observes if they still change the color?
• Deduction: This phase helps the researcher to deduce a conclusion out of his experiment. This has to be based on logic and rationality to come up with specific unbiased results.For example: In the experiment, if the tagged flowers in a different temperature environment do not change the color then it can be concluded that temperature plays a role in changing the color of the bloom.
• Testing: This phase involves the researcher to return to empirical methods to put his hypothesis to the test. The researcher now needs to make sense of his data and hence needs to use statistical analysis plans to determine the temperature and bloom color relationship. If the researcher finds out that most flowers bloom a different color when exposed to the certain temperature and the others do not when the temperature is different, he has found support to his hypothesis. Please note this not proof but just a support to his hypothesis.
• Evaluation: This phase is generally forgotten by most but is an important one to keep gaining knowledge. During this phase the researcher puts forth the data he has collected, the support argument and his conclusion. The researcher also states the limitations for the experiment and his hypothesis and suggests tips for others to pick it up and continue a more in-depth research for others in the future. LEARN MORE: Population vs Sample

LEARN MORE: Population vs Sample

There is a reason why empirical research is one of the most widely used method. There are a few advantages associated with it. Following are a few of them.

• It is used to authenticate traditional research through various experiments and observations.
• This research methodology makes the research being conducted more competent and authentic.
• It enables a researcher understand the dynamic changes that can happen and change his strategy accordingly.
• The level of control in such a research is high so the researcher can control multiple variables.
• It plays a vital role in increasing internal validity .

Even though empirical research makes the research more competent and authentic, it does have a few disadvantages. Following are a few of them.

• Such a research needs patience as it can be very time consuming. The researcher has to collect data from multiple sources and the parameters involved are quite a few, which will lead to a time consuming research.
• Most of the time, a researcher will need to conduct research at different locations or in different environments, this can lead to an expensive affair.
• There are a few rules in which experiments can be performed and hence permissions are needed. Many a times, it is very difficult to get certain permissions to carry out different methods of this research.
• Collection of data can be a problem sometimes, as it has to be collected from a variety of sources through different methods.

LEARN ABOUT:  Social Communication Questionnaire

Empirical research is important in today’s world because most people believe in something only that they can see, hear or experience. It is used to validate multiple hypothesis and increase human knowledge and continue doing it to keep advancing in various fields.

For example: Pharmaceutical companies use empirical research to try out a specific drug on controlled groups or random groups to study the effect and cause. This way, they prove certain theories they had proposed for the specific drug. Such research is very important as sometimes it can lead to finding a cure for a disease that has existed for many years. It is useful in science and many other fields like history, social sciences, business, etc.

LEARN ABOUT: 12 Best Tools for Researchers

With the advancement in today’s world, empirical research has become critical and a norm in many fields to support their hypothesis and gain more knowledge. The methods mentioned above are very useful for carrying out such research. However, a number of new methods will keep coming up as the nature of new investigative questions keeps getting unique or changing.

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• What Is a Conceptual Framework? | Tips & Examples

What Is a Conceptual Framework? | Tips & Examples

Published on August 2, 2022 by Bas Swaen and Tegan George. Revised on March 18, 2024.

A conceptual framework illustrates the expected relationship between your variables. It defines the relevant objectives for your research process and maps out how they come together to draw coherent conclusions.

Keep reading for a step-by-step guide to help you construct your own conceptual framework.

Table of contents

Developing a conceptual framework in research, step 1: choose your research question, step 2: select your independent and dependent variables, step 3: visualize your cause-and-effect relationship, step 4: identify other influencing variables, frequently asked questions about conceptual models.

A conceptual framework is a representation of the relationship you expect to see between your variables, or the characteristics or properties that you want to study.

Conceptual frameworks can be written or visual and are generally developed based on a literature review of existing studies about your topic.

Your research question guides your work by determining exactly what you want to find out, giving your research process a clear focus.

However, before you start collecting your data, consider constructing a conceptual framework. This will help you map out which variables you will measure and how you expect them to relate to one another.

In order to move forward with your research question and test a cause-and-effect relationship, you must first identify at least two key variables: your independent and dependent variables .

• The expected cause, “hours of study,” is the independent variable (the predictor, or explanatory variable)
• The expected effect, “exam score,” is the dependent variable (the response, or outcome variable).

Note that causal relationships often involve several independent variables that affect the dependent variable. For the purpose of this example, we’ll work with just one independent variable (“hours of study”).

Now that you’ve figured out your research question and variables, the first step in designing your conceptual framework is visualizing your expected cause-and-effect relationship.

We demonstrate this using basic design components of boxes and arrows. Here, each variable appears in a box. To indicate a causal relationship, each arrow should start from the independent variable (the cause) and point to the dependent variable (the effect).

It’s crucial to identify other variables that can influence the relationship between your independent and dependent variables early in your research process.

Some common variables to include are moderating, mediating, and control variables.

Moderating variables

Moderating variable (or moderators) alter the effect that an independent variable has on a dependent variable. In other words, moderators change the “effect” component of the cause-and-effect relationship.

Let’s add the moderator “IQ.” Here, a student’s IQ level can change the effect that the variable “hours of study” has on the exam score. The higher the IQ, the fewer hours of study are needed to do well on the exam.

Let’s take a look at how this might work. The graph below shows how the number of hours spent studying affects exam score. As expected, the more hours you study, the better your results. Here, a student who studies for 20 hours will get a perfect score.

But the graph looks different when we add our “IQ” moderator of 120. A student with this IQ will achieve a perfect score after just 15 hours of study.

Below, the value of the “IQ” moderator has been increased to 150. A student with this IQ will only need to invest five hours of study in order to get a perfect score.

Here, we see that a moderating variable does indeed change the cause-and-effect relationship between two variables.

Mediating variables

Now we’ll expand the framework by adding a mediating variable . Mediating variables link the independent and dependent variables, allowing the relationship between them to be better explained.

Here’s how the conceptual framework might look if a mediator variable were involved:

In this case, the mediator helps explain why studying more hours leads to a higher exam score. The more hours a student studies, the more practice problems they will complete; the more practice problems completed, the higher the student’s exam score will be.

Moderator vs. mediator

It’s important not to confuse moderating and mediating variables. To remember the difference, you can think of them in relation to the independent variable:

• A moderating variable is not affected by the independent variable, even though it affects the dependent variable. For example, no matter how many hours you study (the independent variable), your IQ will not get higher.
• A mediating variable is affected by the independent variable. In turn, it also affects the dependent variable. Therefore, it links the two variables and helps explain the relationship between them.

Control variables

Lastly,  control variables must also be taken into account. These are variables that are held constant so that they don’t interfere with the results. Even though you aren’t interested in measuring them for your study, it’s crucial to be aware of as many of them as you can be.

A mediator variable explains the process through which two variables are related, while a moderator variable affects the strength and direction of that relationship.

A confounding variable is closely related to both the independent and dependent variables in a study. An independent variable represents the supposed cause , while the dependent variable is the supposed effect . A confounding variable is a third variable that influences both the independent and dependent variables.

Failing to account for confounding variables can cause you to wrongly estimate the relationship between your independent and dependent variables.

Yes, but including more than one of either type requires multiple research questions .

For example, if you are interested in the effect of a diet on health, you can use multiple measures of health: blood sugar, blood pressure, weight, pulse, and many more. Each of these is its own dependent variable with its own research question.

You could also choose to look at the effect of exercise levels as well as diet, or even the additional effect of the two combined. Each of these is a separate independent variable .

To ensure the internal validity of an experiment , you should only change one independent variable at a time.

A control variable is any variable that’s held constant in a research study. It’s not a variable of interest in the study, but it’s controlled because it could influence the outcomes.

A confounding variable , also called a confounder or confounding factor, is a third variable in a study examining a potential cause-and-effect relationship.

A confounding variable is related to both the supposed cause and the supposed effect of the study. It can be difficult to separate the true effect of the independent variable from the effect of the confounding variable.

In your research design , it’s important to identify potential confounding variables and plan how you will reduce their impact.

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Conceptual Research vs. Empirical Research — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Conceptual Research and Empirical Research

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