Trương Thị Hòa, Ph.
D
By the end of this chapter, student should be able to:
üDiscuss the need for a theoretical framework in deductive
research.
üDescribe four main types of variables and identify and label
variables associated with any given situation.
üDevelop a theoretical framework that includes all the relevant
components.
üDevelop a set of hypotheses to be tested.
• Theoretical framework
Components of theoretical framework
• Variables and its types
Identify and label variables associated with any given situation.
• Defining hypothesis
Null and alternative hypothesis
1. Identify a broad problem area.
2. Define the problem statement.
3. Develop hypotheses.
4. Determine measures.
5. Data collection.
6. Data analysis.
7. Interpretation of data.
§ A theoretical framework represents your beliefs on how
certain phenomena (or variables or concepts) are related to
each other (a model) and an explanation on why you believe
that these variables are associated to each other (a theory).
§ Integrating your logical beliefs with published research
Process of building theoretical framework
1. Introducing definitions of the concepts or variables in your
model.
2. Developing a conceptual model that provides a descriptive
representation of your theory.
3. Coming up with a theory that provides an explanation for
relationships between the variables in your model.
Developing a good theoretical framework is central to
examining the problem under investigation.
§ Identify and label the variables correctly.
§ State the relationships among the variables: known as
formulate hypotheses.
§ Explain how or why you expect these relationships.
“A variable is anything that can take on differing or varying
values”
Example: production unit, motivation, age, ...
Four types of variables
Ø Dependent variable (DV)
Ø Independent variable (IV)
Ø Moderating variable
Ø Mediating variable (or intervening)
§1-Dependent variable (DV) (Response Variable)
●DV is a primary interest to the researcher. The goal of the
research project is to understand, predict or explain the
variability of this variable, or predict it
2-Independent variable (IV) (Predictor)
is one that influences the dependent variable in either a positive
or negative way.
Example 1:
An applied researcher wants to increase the performance of
organizational members in particular bank.
Example 2: A marketing manager wonders why the recent
advertisement strategy does not work. What would be the
dependent variable here?
Example 1 (Answer):
The dependent variable is organizational performance because it
is the primary variable of interest to the applied researcher.
Independent variables could be Wages, bonuses, Organizational
culture, etc.
Example 1 (Answer):
The dependent variable is advertisement strategy because the
marketing manager is interested in knowing why the recent strategy
does not work. Independent variables could be advertising channel,
distributer, market segment, etc.
3-Moderating Variable: is
one that has a strong contingent effect on the
independent variable–dependent variable relationship
Example: A manager finds that off-the-job classroom training has a great impact on
the productivity of the employees in her department. However, she also observes
that employees over 60 years of age do not seem to derive much benefit and do not
improve with such training.
What are the independent, dependent and moderating variables?
4-Mediating Variable
Is one that surfaces between the time the independent
variables start operating to influence the dependent
variable and the time their impact is felt on it.
Example
■The literature survey provides a solid foundation for developing
the theoretical framework.
■The literature survey identifies the variables that might be
important, as determined by previous research findings.
■The theoretical framework elaborates the relationships among the
variables, explains the theory underlying these relations, and
describes the nature and direction of the relationships.
■The theoretical framework provides the logical base for
developing testable hypotheses.
Definition of Hypotheses:
A logical relationship between two or more variables (DV & IV)
expressed in the form of a testable statement.
(e.g.) Women are more motivated than men.
Good hypothesis:
Must be adequate (sufficient/satisfactory) for its purpose
Must be testable
Must be better than its rivals
Can be:
Directional
Non-directional
DIRECTIONAL HYPOTHESES:
The direction of the relationship between the variables (positive/negative) is
indicated.
Example:
The greater the stress experienced in the job, the lower the job satisfaction of
employees.
Women are more motivated than men.
NONDIRECTIONAL HYPOTHESES:
…are those which shows no indication of the direction of the relationships
between variables.
Example:
There is a relationship between age and Job satisfaction.
There is a differences between the work ethic values of American and
Arabian employees.
Null Hypotheses:
In general, the null statement is expressed as no (significant) difference
between two groups.
H0: µa = µb
It can also be stated as the population correlation between two variables is
equal to zero (or some definite number).
H0: µa - µb = 0
Where H0 represents the null hypotheses,
µa is the mean motivational level of the men,
µb is the mean motivational level of women.
Alternate Hypotheses
…is a statement expressing a relationship between two variables or
indicating differences between groups.
(e.g.) Women are more motivated than men.
The alternate hypotheses for the above example is
HA : µa < µb
If we reverse the above statement like
Men are more motivated than women.
HA : µa > µb
Where HA represents the alternate hypotheses.
Examples for the Non directional relationship
There is a difference between the work ethic of American and Arabian
employees.
The null hypotheses would be:
H0: µa = µb
Or
H0: µa - µb = 0
Where,
µa is the mean work ethic value of Americans
µb is the mean work ethic value of Arabs.
The alternate hypotheses for the above example would statistically be set
as:
HA: µa ≠ µb
HA represents the alternate hypotheses.
At this junction, we have understood the
1. Broad problem area
2. Preliminary data gathering
3. Theoretical framework based on literature review
4. Hypotheses formulation for testing on the bases of literature
review/experience/intuition.
Also understanding of variables and its types help the mangers/researcher to associate
the link of problem and their reasons (Why & How).
A store manager observes that the morale of employees in her supermarket
is low. She thinks that if their working conditions are improved, pay scales
raised, and the vacation benefits made more attractive, the morale will be
boosted. She doubts, however, if an increase in pay scales would raise the
morale of all employees. Her conjecture is that those who have
supplemental incomes will just not be “turned on” by higher pay, and only
those without side incomes will be happy with increased pay, with a
resultant boost in morale. List and label the variables in this situation.
Explain the relationships among the variables and illustrate them by means
of diagrams. What might be the problem statement or problem definition
for the situation?
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Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2019). Research methods for business students.
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