Theoretical Framework Hypothesis Development 2013

03/01/1434

1

11

Chapter 4

The Research Process -

Theoretical Framework &

Hypothesis Development

Research Methods For Business

A Skill Building Approach

© 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

www.wileyeurope.com/college/sekaran

Theoretical Framework

� 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).

2© 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.


03/01/1434

2


� Basic steps:

– Identify and label the variables

correctly

– State the relationships among

the variables: formulate

hypotheses

– Explain how or why you expect

these relationships3© 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.


4

1. A variable is anything that take ondiffering or varying value.

2. The values can differ at various timesfor the same object or person, orvalues can differ at the same time fordifferent objects or person.

3. Examples:1. Exam score.

2. Absenteeism.

3. Motivation.

Variables

03/01/1434

3

Variable � Any concept or construct that varies

or changes in value

� Main types of variables:

– Dependent variable

– Independent variable

– Moderating variable

– Mediating variable



6

Types of Variables

Variables

Dependent Independent Moderating Mediating

03/01/1434

4

(In)dependent Variables

� Dependent variable (DV)

– Is of primary interest to the researcher. Thegoal of the research project is to understand,predict or explain the variability of this

variable.

� Independent variable (IV)

– Influences the DV in either positive ornegative way. The variance in the DV isaccounted for by the IV.



8

1. The dependent variable is the variableof primary interest to the researcher.

2. The researcher goal is to understandand describe the dependent variable,or to explain the variability, or predictit.

3. Through the analysis of dependentvariable, it is possible to find answersor solutions to the problem.

(1) The Dependent Variable

03/01/1434

5

9

1. A manager is concerned that the sales of anew product introduced after testmarketing is not as high as he hadexpected. (Sales)

2. A basic researcher is interested ininvestigating the debt-to-equity ratio ofmanufacturing companies in Egypt. (debt-to-equity)

3. A vice president is concerned that theemployees are not loyal to the organizationand, in fact, switch their loyalties to otherinsinuations. (loyalty)

Examples of Dependent Variable

10

1. An independent variable is one that influencesvariable in either a positive or a negativeway.

2. When the independent variable is present, thedependent variable is also present, and witheach unit increase in the independentvariable, there is an increase or decrease inthe dependent variable.

3. The variance in the dependent variable isaccounted for by the independent variable.

(2) The Independent Variable

03/01/1434

6

11

1. Research studies indicate thatsuccessful new product development hasan influence on the stock market priceof the company.

Examples of Independent Variable

New product

Development

Oracle

Stock marketprice

Independent variable Dependent variable

12

1. Cross-cultural research indicates thatmanagerial values govern the powerdistance between superiors andsubordinates.


Managerial Values

Power distance


03/01/1434

7

13

1. A relationship has been found betweenthe number of books that five and six-year-old children have access to athome and their reading ability.


Number of

books

Reading

ability


14

1. The moderating variable is onethat has a strong contingenteffect on the independent-dependent variable relationship.

2. The presence of a third variable(the moderating variable) modifiesthe original relationship betweenthe independent and thedependent variables.

(3) The Moderating Variable

03/01/1434

8

15

1. A relationship has been found between thenumber of books that five and six-year-oldchildren have access to at home and theirreading ability.

Examples of Moderating Variable

Number of

booksReading

ability


Parents’

literacy

Moderating variable

16

1. An intervening variable is one that surfacesbetween the time the independent variableoperate to influence the dependent and theirimpact on the dependent variable.

2. There is a temporal quality or time dimensionto the intervening variable.

3. The intervening variable surfaces as afunction of the independent variable(s)operating in any situation, and helps toconceptualize and explain the influence of theindependent variable(s) on the dependentvariable.

(4) The Intervening (Mediating ) Variable

03/01/1434

9

17

1. Where the independent variable workforce diversityinfluenced the dependent variable organizationaleffectiveness, an intervening variable that surfaces as

a function of workforce diversity is creative synergy.

Examples of the Intervening (Mediating) Variable

Workforce diversity

CreativeSynergy

Organizational

Effectiveness

Timet1 t2

t3

Independent variable Intervening variable Dependent Variable

18

1. The theoretical framework is thefoundation on which the entire researchproject is based.

2. It is logically developed, described, andelaborated network of the associationsamong the variables deemed relevant tothe problem situation and which havebeen identified through such processesas interviews, observations, andliterature survey.


03/01/1434

10

19

1. The variables considered relevant to the study should clearlyidentified and labeled in the discussion.

2. The discussions should state how two or more variables arerelated to one another. This should be done for theimportant relationships that are theorized to exist amongvariables.

3. If the nature and direction of the relationship can betheorized on the basis of the findings from previousresearch, then there should be an indication in thediscussions as to whether the relationships would be positiveor negative.

4. There should be a clear explanation of why we would expectthese relationships to exist. The arguments could be drawnfrom previous research findings.

5. A schematic diagram of the theoretical framework should begiven so that the reader can see and easily comprehend thetheorized relationships

The components of the theoretical Framework The components of the theoretical Framework

20

Theoretical Framework (Example)

Communication amongCockpit members

Decentralization

Communication betweenground control and cockpit

Air-safety

violations

Training

Independent Moderating Dependent

03/01/1434

11

21

1. A hypothesis is a logicallyconjectured relationship betweentwo or more variables expressedin the form of a testablestatement.

2. By testing the hypotheses andconfirming the conjecturedrelationships, it is expected thatsolutions can be found to correctthe problem encountered.

Hypotheses Development

22

Hypotheses Formats

Hypotheses Formats

If-ThenStatements

Directional

and

Non-directional

Hypotheses

Null and

Alternate

Hypotheses

03/01/1434

12

23

1. If employees are more healthy,then they will sick leave lessfrequently.

2. If the company allocated morefunds to the promotion budget,then sales volume will increase.

Hypotheses FormatsHypotheses Formats(1) If-then statements

24

1. The greater the stress experienced inthe job, the lower the job satisfactionof employees. (Directional).

2. Women are more motivated than men.(Directional).

3. There is a relationship between age andjob satisfaction. (Non-directional).

4. There is a difference between thework ethic values of American andAsian employees. (Non-directional).

Hypotheses Formats(2) Directional & Non-directional

03/01/1434

13

25

1. The null hypothesis is a proposition thatstates a definitive , exact relationshipbetween two variables.

2. The null hypothesis is expressed as no(significance) relationship between twovariables or no (significance) differencebetween two groups.

3. The alternate hypothesis is the opposite ofthe null, it is a statement expressing arelationship between two variables orindicating differences between groups.

Hypotheses FormatsHypotheses Formats(3) Null and alternate Hypotheses

Hypothesis

� A proposition that is empirically testable.It is an empirical statement concernedwith the relationship among variables.

� Good hypothesis:– Must be adequate for its purpose

– Must be testable

– Must be better than its rivals



03/01/1434

14

Exercise

27

Give the hypotheses for the following framework:

Service qualityCustomer

switching

Switching cost



Exercise

28

Give the hypotheses for the following framework:

Customer

satisfactionService quality Customer

switching



Documents

Theoretical Framework Hypothesis Development 2013