Integration of Theory, Research Design, Measurement, and Analysis: Toward a Reasoned Argument

The authors advocate using a reasoned argument to approach the research conceptualization process, wherein the different aspects of any study logically relate to each other. Specific focus is placed on the integration of four separate research components including substantive theory, research design, measurement, and analysis. A model of an iterative, logical choice process for making decisions about each of these components in relation to the other components is presented. Finally, the authors discuss several common aspects of each of the four research components that are often ignored and thus result in discrepancies across the components and a poor study.