1.
Advocates
e stages in research. Stage 1 takes place entirely on the conceptual level and
consists of defining concepts and writing a proposition of relationship between
them. Stage 2 consists of devising ways of measuring the concepts empirically
and writing a testable hypothesis. Stage 3 or final stage consists of gathering
and analyzing data in an attempt to verify the hypothesis.
2.
The
advantage of the approach is that it is complete and maximizes theorizing and
data analysis. It can utilize abstract concepts that have generalizability and
can make use of the power of deduction. However, there is always a chance of
measurement error using the approach.
1.
Grounded
theory is a theory that is discovered or generated from data rather than being
abstract and tentative. Grounded theory is developed by: (a) entering the
fieldwork phase without a hypothesis; (b) describing what happens; and (c)
formulating explanations as to why it happens on the basis of observation. Most
adherents of the grounded theory approach utilize observation as their basic
data-gathering method.
2.
Glaser
and Strauss say that to be optimally useful, theory should utilize concepts
readily applicable to the data under study. For them the best way to generate
theory is from data.
3.
Essentially,
grounded theorists blend stages 2 and 3 of the classical approach into a single
stage. In addition, only hypotheses that are already verified are recognized.
Therefore, verification as a separate step is unnecessary. Further, instead of
proceeding from the conceptual level to the empirical level, grounded theory
begins at the empirical level and ends at the conceptual level. Only concepts
generated from the empirical data are used.
4.
The
advantage of the approach is that measurement error is reduced but the emphasis
on empirically derived concepts limits theorizing.
1.
Operationalism
emphasizes quantifiable measures of concepts or measurable concepts. It is a
pragmatic approach and essentially merges stages 1 and 2 of the classical
approach in research.
2.
The
advantage of operationalism is that measurement error is supposedly absent by
definition. The disadvantage is that abstract concepts that cannot be
operationally defined are not allowed and may, thus, severely limit both theory
development and the power to generalize.
Prof. Art Boquiren January 2004 based on Bailey
1994: 52-58