A critical realist methodology in empirical research: foundations, process, and payoffs

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Catherine Hastings
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Research ◽  
Critical Realist ◽  
Realist Methodology

scholarly journals Mechanisms underpinning the usage of e-government services by businesses: A proposal based on previous empirical research

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 154-183
Author(s):  
Martha Liliana Correa Ospina ◽  
Deepak Saxena ◽  
Beatriz Helena Díaz Pinzón
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Empirical Research ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
The Public ◽  
Government Services ◽  
Critical Realist ◽  
Holistic Understanding ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Self Service ◽  
Cost Efficient

For many years, the public sector has been undergoing digital transformation. Information and communication technologies (ICT) have offered new ways of interaction between governments and their constituents. However, governments face different challenges to migrate users towards digital channels and electronic documents, which are believed to be more cost-efficient for all stakeholders. Despite a plethora of empirical research conducted towards the identification of factors that influence e-government services usage by businesses, there seems to be a lack of 'holistic' understanding in the absence of systematic literature reviews. This paper aims to contribute by hypothesizing a set of mechanisms based on a critical realist process of retroduction. We argue that the factors identified in previous research are a manifestation of mechanisms. Such mechanisms might explain businesses’ usage of ICT when interacting with governments, whether in the context of incidental situations or regular administrative tasks (through online self-service applications) or regular exchange of information (through inter-organizational e-services).

Multi-Theoretical Approaches to Studying International Business Strategy

2020 ◽  
pp. 152-172
Author(s):  
Eric W. K. Tsang
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Research ◽  
International Business ◽  
Theoretical Approach ◽  
Business Strategy ◽  
Theoretical Research ◽  
Theoretical Studies ◽  
Comprehensive Understanding ◽  
Critical Realist ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
Realist Perspective

This chapter discusses the adoption of a multi-theoretical approach to studying international business (IB) strategy. It first defines the meaning of theory and distinguishes it from related concepts, such as paradigm and model. Although integrating theories is often regarded as providing a more comprehensive understanding of a phenomenon, multi-theoretical studies are not common for a number of reasons. Taking a critical realist perspective, the chapter discusses the functions of using more than one theory in empirical research. The arguments are supported by examples drawn from the IB strategy literature, particularly published empirical papers. Most importantly, the chapter offers suggestions about promoting and conducting multi-theoretical research.

A response to “theoretical triangulation and pluralism in accounting research: a critical realist critique”

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (7) ◽  
pp. 1151-1159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahirul Hoque ◽  
Mark A Covaleski ◽  
Tharusha N Gooneratne
Keyword(s):  
Research Methods ◽  
Empirical Research ◽  
Critical Analysis ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Accounting Research ◽  
Critical Realist ◽  
Classical Work

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to respond to Modell’s paper entitled “Theoretical triangulation and pluralism in accounting research: a critical realist critique” (AAAJ this issue), which offers a two-part exposition of topics and issues pertaining to the recent paper “Theoretical triangulation and pluralism in research methods in organizational and accounting research” (Hoque et al., 2013). Design/methodology/approach – Critical analysis of Modell’s observations pertaining to the paper drawing on the classical work of Burrell and Morgan (1979). Findings – The authors reemphasize the need for an interaction between adopting an ontological stance and then conducting empirical research where the authors stated that the intention was not to argue any idea that theoretical triangulation approach should become the dominant approach and “take over” single theory approach. Instead, the authors demonstrate the ways theoretical triangulation can advance the understanding of multifaceted organizational realities. Originality/value – The authors make a contribution to the generation of knowledge in research by addressing the tradeoffs involved such as possible theoretical incoherence and lack of focus when integrating theories with different ontological and epistemological assumptions.

Selecting the Optimal FM System for Children With Cochlear Implants

2008 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-24
Author(s):  
Erin C. Schafer
Keyword(s):  
Speech Recognition ◽  
Cochlear Implants ◽  
Empirical Research ◽  
Background Noise ◽  
Signal To Noise Ratio ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Signal To Noise ◽  
Speech Processor ◽  
System Input ◽  
Optimal Type

Children who use cochlear implants experience significant difficulty hearing speech in the presence of background noise, such as in the classroom. To address these difficulties, audiologists often recommend frequency-modulated (FM) systems for children with cochlear implants. The purpose of this article is to examine current empirical research in the area of FM systems and cochlear implants. Discussion topics will include selecting the optimal type of FM receiver, benefits of binaural FM-system input, importance of DAI receiver-gain settings, and effects of speech-processor programming on speech recognition. FM systems significantly improve the signal-to-noise ratio at the child's ear through the use of three types of FM receivers: mounted speakers, desktop speakers, or direct-audio input (DAI). This discussion will aid audiologists in making evidence-based recommendations for children using cochlear implants and FM systems.

The Impact of Visual Feedback Type on the Mastery of Visuo-Motor Transformations

2012 ◽  
Vol 220 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Sülzenbrück
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Research ◽  
Visual Feedback ◽  
Closed Loop ◽  
Motor Planning ◽  
Visual Input ◽  
Closed Loop Control ◽  
Loop Control ◽  
Feedback Type ◽  
Effective Use ◽  
The Impact

For the effective use of modern tools, the inherent visuo-motor transformation needs to be mastered. The successful adjustment to and learning of these transformations crucially depends on practice conditions, particularly on the type of visual feedback during practice. Here, a review about empirical research exploring the influence of continuous and terminal visual feedback during practice on the mastery of visuo-motor transformations is provided. Two studies investigating the impact of the type of visual feedback on either direction-dependent visuo-motor gains or the complex visuo-motor transformation of a virtual two-sided lever are presented in more detail. The findings of these studies indicate that the continuous availability of visual feedback supports performance when closed-loop control is possible, but impairs performance when visual input is no longer available. Different approaches to explain these performance differences due to the type of visual feedback during practice are considered. For example, these differences could reflect a process of re-optimization of motor planning in a novel environment or represent effects of the specificity of practice. Furthermore, differences in the allocation of attention during movements with terminal and continuous visual feedback could account for the observed differences.

Which Data to Meta-Analyze, and How?

2019 ◽  
Vol 227 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Voracek ◽  
Michael Kossmeier ◽  
Ulrich S. Tran
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Research ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Curve Analysis ◽  
Research Progress ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Statistical Procedures ◽  
Graphical Displays ◽  
Primary Data Analysis ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Data Analytic

Abstract. Which data to analyze, and how, are fundamental questions of all empirical research. As there are always numerous flexibilities in data-analytic decisions (a “garden of forking paths”), this poses perennial problems to all empirical research. Specification-curve analysis and multiverse analysis have recently been proposed as solutions to these issues. Building on the structural analogies between primary data analysis and meta-analysis, we transform and adapt these approaches to the meta-analytic level, in tandem with combinatorial meta-analysis. We explain the rationale of this idea, suggest descriptive and inferential statistical procedures, as well as graphical displays, provide code for meta-analytic practitioners to generate and use these, and present a fully worked real example from digit ratio (2D:4D) research, totaling 1,592 meta-analytic specifications. Specification-curve and multiverse meta-analysis holds promise to resolve conflicting meta-analyses, contested evidence, controversial empirical literatures, and polarized research, and to mitigate the associated detrimental effects of these phenomena on research progress.

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