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Knowing the difference between concepts, models and theories will help you understand research
and communicate intelligently with other professionals. There are a number of ways to define concepts.
Essentially a concept is a description of an event, situation or experience. Typically
these descriptions of concepts are abstract and complex. Some concepts are more understood
than others. It is important to define concepts so we can
communicate. For example, my husband and I have different
views on what defines a garage and a shed. Since we own properties with both our different
definitions have caused some communication issues. When I talk about needing to clean
the garage sometimes the wrong building gets cleaned.
Research studies should present a conceptual or theoretical framework in the introduction
portion of the article. These frameworks tell you where the researcher is coming from and
define the concepts under study. It helps to know how a researcher views the concepts
under study so you can determine if you or other studies you are looking at define these
concepts in the same way. That way you know if they are studying a shed or a garage.
Sometimes researchers will describe what is known about the concepts without a model or
theory. In this case it is called a conceptual framework.
Other times they will present at specific model or theory to describe how the concepts
that they will be studying relate to one another. However, before models and theories can be
developed, concepts need to be defined. There are specific methods to define concepts
for research. The methods chosen will depend on your beliefs about the nature of the concept.
If you believe concepts are concrete, measurable and do not change your approach will search
for the truth about the concepts. Concepts that are defined in this way may be the variables
under study in quantitative research. However, if you think that concepts are influenced
by context, recognisable (but not measurable) and dynamic your approach would be much different.
Concepts that are defined in this way would be more congruent as a framework for qualitative
research. To find out more about how concepts are developed
please visit the video on your screen. Often research will examine the relationships
between and among various concepts. A framework that shows these relationships may be in the
form of a model or a theory. Models are usually developed based on qualitative
research. They demonstrate the researcher's interpretation of how concepts are related
to one another. You may find models in the findings section of some research articles.
Sometimes models are based on understandings that are not from specific research studies.
For example, the picture on this slide represents a model of my understanding of the difference
between concepts, models and theories. Theories on the other hand are more tested
than models. They are systematic and are used to explain, predict, describe and prescribe
phenomena. They look a lot like models so sometimes people confuse these two terms.
Theories are tested and measured, most of the time with quantitative research, in order
to prove the relationships between concepts. It takes a lot more than one research study
to prove a theory. Qualitative research can also be done to support theories. The more
research that supports a theory the better it is.
Remember, Concepts need to be defined in order to build a model or a theory.
Both models and theories show proposed relationships between concepts.
The difference between a model and a theory is the amount of "proof" that exists for them,
which stems from how they were developed. Models are not considered proven.
Theories are considered proven and supported by multiple research studies. That is why
they are viewed as a more systematic representation of phenomena.
For more please visit the videos on this slide and subscribe. Thank you for watching. Don't
forget to like this video if you found it helpful.