.

The Research Process Theoretical Framework

The Need for a Theoretical Framework
A conceptual model of how one theorizes or makes logical sense of the relationships among the
several factors that have been identified as important to the problem
Flows from the documentation of previous research in the problem.
Integrating one's logical beliefs with published research, taking into consideration the boundaries and
constraints governing the situation
Discusses the interrelationships among the variables that are deemed to be integral to the dynamics
of the situation being investigated.
. or-os Thesis I FS i.r
Observation
Broadarea
ofresearch
interest
identified
Preliminary
DataGathering
Interviewing
LiteratureSurvey
ProblemDefinition
Research
problem
delineated
TheoreticalFramework
Variablesclearly
identifiedand
labeled
Generation
of
Hypotheses
Scientific
Research
Design
DataCollection,
Analysis,and
Interpretation
Deduction
Hypotheses
substantiated?
Researchquestions
answered?
Yes
Paper
Writing
Paper
Presentation
No
. The Research Process Theoretical Framework
Variables
Anything that can take on differing or varying values.
Types of Variables
1. The dependent variable
2. The independent variable
3. The moderating variable
4. The intervening Variable
Dependent
Primary interest to the researcher.
Understand and describe the dependent variable or explain the variability\
Researcher will be interested in quantifying and measuring the dependent variable, plus other
variables that influence this variable.
Independent Variable
One that influences the dependent variable in either a positive or negative way
Variance in the dependent variable is accounted for by the independent variable.
Ex. Research studies indicate that successful new product development has an influence on
stock market price of the company. Success of the new product is the independent variable,
and stock market price is the dependent variable.
Moderating Variable
A variable that has a strong contingent effect on the independent variable-dependent variable
relationship.
The presence of the third variable (MV) modifies the original relationship between the
independent and dependent variables.
Ex. It has been found that there is a relationship between the availability of Reference
Manuals that manufacturing employees have access to, and the product rejects.
. or-os Thesis I FS z.r
NewProduct
StockMarket
Price
Independentvariable
Dependentvariable
. The Research Process Theoretical Framework
Intervening Variable
A variable that surfaces between the time the independent variable start operating to
influence the dependent variable and the time their impact is felt on it.
The intervening variable surfaces as a function of the independent variable(s) operating in any
situation, and helps to conceptualize and explain the influence of the independent variable(s)
on the dependent variable.
Time:
. or-os Thesis I FS s.r
Availabilityof
ReferenceManuals
#ofReject
Independentvariable
Dependentvariable
Interest
&
Inclination
Moderatingvariable
Workforce
diversity
Independentvariable
Dependentvariable
Interveningvariable
Organizational
Effectiveness
Creative
synergy
t
1 2
t t
3
Managerial
Expertise
. The Research Process Theoretical Framework
Theoretical Framework
The foundation on which the entire research project is based
The relationship between the literature survey and the theoretical framework is that the former
provides a solid foundation for developing the latter.
Components of the Theoretical Framework
1. The variables considered relevant to the study should be clearly identified and labeled in the
discussions
2. The discussions should state how two or more variables are related to one another.
3. In the nature and direction of the relationships can be theorized on the basis of the findings of
previous research, then there should be an indication in the discussions as to whether the
relationships would be positive or negative
4. There should be clear explanation of why we would expect these relationships to exist.
5. The schematic diagram of the theoretical framework should be given so that the reader can see and
easily comprehend the theorized relationships.
. or-os Thesis I FS .r
Drawing1:Schematicdiagramforthetheoreticalframework
Independentvariable
Dependentvariable
Airsafety
Violations
Communicationamong
cockpitmembers
Communicationbetween
groundcontrolandcockpit
Decentralization
Trainingofcockpitcrew
. The Research Process Theoretical Framework
. or-os Thesis I FS s.r
Independentvariable
Dependentvariable
Airsafety
Violations
Communicationamong
cockpitmembers
Communicationbetween
groundcontrolandcockpit
Decentralization
Trainingofcockpitcrew
Nervousness
and
Diffidence
Interveningvariable
. The Research Process Theoretical Framework
Hypotheses Development
After the identification of important variables in a situation and establishment of relationship among
them through logical reasoning in the theoretical framework
A hypothesis can be defined as a logically conjectured relationship between two or more variables
expressed in the form of a testable statement.
Relationships are conjectured on the basis of the network of associations established in the
theoretical framework formulated for the research study.
. or-os Thesis I FS c.r
Independentvariable
Dependentvariable
Airsafety
Violations
Communicationamong
cockpitmembers
Communicationbetween
groundcontrolandcockpit
Decentralization
Moderatingvariable
Training
. The Research Process Theoretical Framework
Ex. If the pilots are given adequate training to handle midair crowded situations, air-safety violations
will be reduced.
Statements of Hypotheses: Formats
If-then statements
Ex. if employees are more healthy then they will take sick leaves less frequently
Directional and Nondirectional Hypotheses
Ex. directional The greater the stress experienced in the job, the lower the job satisfaction of
employees.
Ex. nondirectional t here is a relationship between age and satisfaction
Null and Alternate Hypotheses
null hypothesis a proposition that states a definitive, exact relationship between two variables
H0: M = W or H0: M W = 0
Alternate
H0: M > W or H0: M < W
. or-os Thesis I FS r.r