Introduction

Conducting research is an important part of human life and for centuries, identifying and evaluating a subject or topic to gain knowledge has been a constant practice. There are different classifications of research based on the approach, methodology, and purpose. 

One such classification is conceptual research, which focuses on exploring and developing abstract ideas or concepts. And in today’s article, we will discuss the definition of conceptual research, its purpose, and its significance in various fields.

What is Conceptual Research?

The process defined as conceptual research focuses on the exploration and development of abstract concepts or theories. It involves the study and analysis of existing concepts to refine or develop a conceptual framework. 

Theoretical research is also known as such because a theoretical approach is used to understand the world. Additionally, it is utilized by both academics and non-academics.

The purpose of conceptual research is to understand how people make sense of their environment, how they make decisions, and what influences them.

Conceptual research can take various forms, including descriptive, explanatory, exploratory, or theoretical research. The research can focus on a broad range of topics, such as cultural differences, political ideologies, social norms, philosophical concepts, and ethical principles. 

For example, a conceptual study can explore the concept of social justice, the impact of globalization on culture, or the implications of artificial intelligence on society.

It allows you to determine whether the results of your experiment are what you want them to be, and it helps to understand why things happened as they did. Through conceptual research, researchers can develop a theoretical framework that can guide future research and practice. 

Conceptual research can generate new insights and challenge existing assumptions or theories. It can contribute to the development of new ideas, theories, or concepts, which advance understanding. In philosophy, social sciences, and humanities, theoretical analysis and critical thinking are essential. Therefore, the use of conceptual research is common in these disciplines.

What is the Purpose of Conceptual Research?

The purpose of conceptual research is to provide a deeper understanding of complex concepts. It clarifies ambiguous terms or definitions and generates new insights or perspectives. These can guide future research and practice. Conceptual research serves as a basis for empirical research. It provides a theoretical framework for hypothesis testing and data analysis.

This is because one of the primary purposes of conceptual research is to develop a theoretical framework. In the paragraph below, we will discuss more on the conceptual research framework and how you can understand it. Another importance of conceptual research is that it helps to clarify vague concepts or terms. For example, in psychology, the concept of intelligence has been a topic of debate for decades. Researchers have used several definitions and measures of intelligence, that led to conflicting findings. 

However, through conceptual research, researchers can identify the underlying assumptions and theories that truly shape the concept of intelligence. This will allow them to develop a clearer and more concise definition of intelligence that can guide future research.

Furthermore, conceptual research also aims to generate new ideas or concepts that can contribute to the development of a more comprehensive understanding of social phenomena.

Understanding the Conceptual Research Framework

The framework for conceptual research is a set of steps that you can follow to ensure that your study meets all necessary requirements for scientific rigor. It is a way for researchers to organize their ideas about a topic and how that topic affects other topics. 

For example, studying people’s thoughts about time can involve a conceptual framework with five categories. These include past, present, future, money, and health. You can then use this framework as a guide to examine how people perceive time with respect to income or health.

What are the Methods of Conceptual Research?

Conceptual research relies on literature review, expert opinions, philosophical analysis, or critical thinking. It provides insights into abstract ideas or concepts. Empirical research collects and analyzes quantitative or qualitative data. Here are the four methods of conceptual research:

• Literature Review:  The literature review is a primary conceptual research method. It involves a systematic search and analysis of existing literature. This is done on a particular subject to identify main concepts, theories, and research findings. It also helps in developing a conceptual framework, identifying research gaps, and generating new ideas. Various sources are used for conducting it, like books, academic journals, and online databases.
• Theory Development: Theory development is a method of conceptual research that involves the construction or refinement of theories that explain a particular concept. To use this method, the researcher may use empirical data, expert opinions, or philosophical analysis. The aim of theory development is to provide a framework that can be used to guide future research or to inform practice.
• Critical Analyses: Critical analyses also involve the evaluation of arguments, ideas, or concepts. The aim of critical analyses is to identify logical fallacies, inconsistencies, and biases in the reasoning. Critical analyses can help to generate new ideas or perspectives that challenge existing assumptions or theories.
• Historical Research: Historical research is a method of conceptual research that involves the study of past events or phenomena to gain insights into the present or future. The researcher may use primary sources, such as diaries, letters, or newspapers. Alternatively, they can use secondary sources, such as historical texts or biographies, to study the past. The aim of historical research is to provide a context for understanding current or future events or phenomena.

Advantages of Conceptual Research

The advantages of conceptual research are:

• This type of research allows exploring ideas freely without worrying about one study’s outcome.
• It may bring new insights by asking questions beyond surveys and traditional methods.
• It allows you to use more complex statistical models that are harder to do with simple experiments.
• Another advantage of conceptual research is that it can be done without having to go through all the steps of a traditional survey.
• Conceptual research helps to reach a goal/objective/ better than other types of research methods like survey research etc. It uses surveys or interviews to collect data from respondents. This is preferable to collecting data from objects or entities. Some cases may not allow the latter due to ethical issues.

Limitations of Conceptual Research

The limitations of conceptual research include:

• Theoretical Gaps: Conceptual researchers may not be aware of all the relevant literature on their topic. They may also lack expertise in a particular field, which can lead them to misinterpret or misinterpret data from their own or other researchers’ studies. You won’t always find an answer when you conduct a conceptual investigation; instead, you may find that the answer comes from another source (e.g., a literature review).
• Difficulties with Data Collection: Conceptual researchers often face difficulties collecting data because they do not have access to the same resources as other types of researchers (e.g., financial support).
• Low Levels of Participation: Because conceptual research involves creating new knowledge through thoughtful analysis rather than empiricism, it often requires more time than other kinds of research.

Example of a Conceptual Research Framework

Thesis Statement/ Purpose of Research: 

The conceptual research project aims to develop a framework for understanding employee engagement. It also proposes interventions to improve employee engagement and organizational outcomes.

Based on this thesis statement, a possible conceptual research framework could involve reviewing existing literature on employee engagement.

It involves examining theories and models and analyzing factors that affect employee engagement. Factors include leadership, organizational culture, and job characteristics.

The framework can explore the effectiveness of different interventions. These include training programs, rewards, and employee involvement initiatives. The goal is to enhance organizational performance.

Ultimately, the framework can guide future research and practice. It can provide a theoretical foundation for understanding employee engagement.

Conclusion

In conclusion, conceptual research is a type of research that focuses on exploring and developing abstract ideas or concepts. The purpose of conceptual research is to provide a deeper understanding of complex concepts. It aims to clarify ambiguous terms or definitions. It also seeks to generate new insights or perspectives. These insights can help guide future research and practice.