THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY INTAN Bukit Kiara 2005

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yuserrie ZainuddinPusat Pengajian Pengurusan

WHAT IS THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK?

Why do we need to have theoretical framework?

How/where do we derive theoretical framework?

How do we know that our theoretical framework is an acceptable framework?

How do we test our framework?

FOUNDATION (KNOWLEDGE/INTEREST)

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK (TF)

is a conceptual model how we theorise the relationships among several factors (variables)

that have been identified as important to the problem

schematic diagram or mathematical/equation


Helps to postulate and test certain relationship - to improve understanding of the dynamics of the situation

testable hypotheses can be developed the basis of entire research rests we can identify the variables

How do we derive TF?

From previous research in the problem area

Based on theoriesIntegrating one’s logical beliefs with published research

Establishing gaps

The Components of the TF

Identifies and labels the important variables in the situation that are relevant to the problem

Shows the relationship of variables and elaborates

How and why moderating and intervening variables are treated

Schematic diagram of he conceptual model help to visualise the theorised relationships


Number of Books Reading abilities

Independent variable Dependent variable


Employees’competencies

OrganizationaleffectivenessNew Product

Developmentsuccess

StrongOrganizational culture

Independent variables Dependent variable


3210yy = dependent variable

= independent variable

= error term

Variables

Anything that can take on differing or varying values (e.g. exam scores, age, motivation, satisfaction etc.

Types of variables Dependent variables Independent variables Moderating variables Intervening variables

Dependent variables

Criterion variableVariable whose behaviour or character is held to be predictable on the basis of an association with independent variable

Independent Variable Predictor Variable which researcher manipulates Studied within survey or experimental design

Which is assumed to occur - causally in an explanatory pattern prior to the dependent variable

Moderating Variable An independent variable which is hypothesised to modify the relationship between the dependent and independent variables.

X

Z

Y

Moderating

Intervening Variable

A variable - that hypothesised to exist but cannot be observed and is presumed to occur, to explain the relationship between the independent and dependent variable

A B Y

Intervening

t1 t2 t3

What is hypothesis?

A conjectural statement of the relation between two or more variables

Expressed in the form of testable statements

A prediction – if x occurs, y will also occurs

H1:The higher the commitment the higher the individual perceived toward job clarity, if higher extrinsic incentive available.

Two or more variables in the hypothesis

Independent variable – predictor variable

Dependent variable – criterion variable

Moderating variable Intervening variable

Examples

There is a significant relationship between new product success and the share market price.

Male managers will have more access to critical information than women managers in the same ranks

A manager believes that good supervision and training will increase the production level of the workers.

The importance of hypotheses?

As the working instruments of theory – hypotheses can be deduced from theory or from other hypotheses

Hypotheses can be tested – shown either true or false – only relations are tested

The importance of hypotheses?

The powerful tools for the advancement of knowledge – enable scientists to get outside themselves

There are problems behind the hypotheses

Types of Hypotheses

Descriptive hypotheses – proposition that typically state the existence, size, form or distribution of some variable – researchers tend to use research questions for these hypotheses.

Relational hypotheses – correlational (unspecified relationship), explanatory or causal (predictable relationship)

Correlational

Young engineers (under 35 years of age) are less productive than those who are 35 years or older.

There is a significant relationship between income and spending behaviour.

Explanatory

An increase in family income leads to an increase in the percentage of income saved

An increase in the price on salvaged copper wire leads to an increase in scavenging on the dumping sites.

There is a positive relationship between organisational commitment and managerial performance in ICT industry.

Statement of Hypotheses: Format

If-then statements Employees who are more healthy will take sick less frequently

If employees who are more healthy then they will take sick less frequently

Null Hypotheses

Null hypotheses is a proposition that states a definitive, exact relationship between two variables

It states that the population correlation between variables is equal to zero or that the difference in the means of two groups in the population is equal to zero

Null Hypotheses

Stated as “no” relationship between two variables or “no” significant difference

Ho: µM = µW or Ho: µM - µW =0 Ho represents the term null hypothesis µM is the mean motivational level of men µW is the mean motivational level of women

Null Hypotheses

Directional Ho: There is no significant relationship between stress experienced on the job and the job satisfaction of employees

Statistically HA: = 0 Directional HA: < 0 (the correlation is negative)

Alternate Hypotheses

The opposite of the null hypotheses – a statement expressing a relationship between two variables or indicating differences

There is a significant difference between gender on job satisfaction

There is significant relationship between eating habit and heart disease among lecturers

Documents

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK