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The Research Process - : Theoretical Framework & Hypothesis Development

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34 views

The Research Process - : Theoretical Framework & Hypothesis Development

Uploaded by

Anas Ashrafi
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CHAPTER 4

THE RESEARCH PROCESS -


THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK &
HYPOTHESIS DEVELOPMENT

© 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. 1


www.wileyeurope.com/college/sekaran 1
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).

© 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.


www.wileyeurope.com/college/sekaran 2
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

 Basic steps:
 Identify and label the variables correctly
 State the relationships among the variables:
formulate hypotheses
 Explain how or why you expect these
relationships

© 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.


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VARIABLE
 Any concept or construct that varies or
changes in value

 Main types of variables:


 Dependent variable
 Independent variable
 Moderating variable
 Mediating variable

© 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.


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(IN)DEPENDENT VARIABLES

 Dependent variable (DV)


 Is of primary interest to the researcher. The goal of
the research project is to understand, predict or
explain the variability of this variable.

 Independent variable (IV)


 Influences the DV in either positive or negative way.
The variance in the DV is accounted for by the IV.

© 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.


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EXAMPLE
Cross-cultural research indicates that managerial values
govern the power distance between superiors and
subordinates. Here, power distance is the subject of
interest and hence the dependent variables. Managerial
values that explain the variance in power distance
comprise the independent variable.

© 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.


www.wileyeurope.com/college/sekaran 6
MODERATING VARIABLES

 One that has a strong contingent effect on


the independent variable dependent
variable relationship.
 The present modifies the original relationship
between the independent and the dependent
variables.

7
EXAMPLES
 It has been found that there is a relationship
between the availability of reference manuals that
the manufacturing employees have access to, and
the product rejects.
 When workers follow the procedures laid down in
the manual, they are able to manufacture products
that are flawless.
 Those who have interest and urge to refer to
manual will produce flawless product.

8
MODERATORS
 Moderating variable

Moderator is qualitative
(e.g., gender, race, class)
or quantitative (e.g.,
level of reward) variable
that affects the direction
and/or strength of
relation between
independent and
dependent variable.

© 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.


www.wileyeurope.com/college/sekaran 9
MEDIATING VARIABLE
 Intervening variables
 Surfaces between the time the independent
variables start operating to influence the
dependent variable and the time their impact is
felt on it.
 Help to model a process.
 Help to conceptualize and explain the influence
of the independent variable on the dependent
variables.

© 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.


www.wileyeurope.com/college/sekaran 10
EXAMPLES
 Where workforce diversity (IV) influences the
organizational effectiveness (DV), the mediating
variable that surfaces as a function of the diversity
in the workforce is “creative synergy”.
 “Creative synergy” results from a multiethnic,
multiracial, and multinational workforce interacting
and bringing together their multifaceted expertise
in problem solving.

11
Diagram of the relationship among the independent,
mediating, moderating and dependent variables.
Time: t1 t2 t3
CREATIVE
ORGANIZATIONAL
WORKFORCE SYNERGY
EFFECTIVENESS
DIVERSITY (Mediating (DV)
(IV) Variables)

MANAGERIAL
EXPERTISE
(Moderating
Variable)

12
HYPOTHESIS
 A proposition that is empirically testable. It is an
empirical statement concerned with the
relationship among variables.
 Good hypothesis:
 Must be adequate for its purpose
 Must be testable
 Must be better than its rivals

 Can be:
 Directional
 Non-directional
© 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
www.wileyeurope.com/college/sekaran 13
EXERCISE
Give the hypotheses for the following framework:

Customer
Service quality
switching

Switching cost

© 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.


www.wileyeurope.com/college/sekaran 14
EXERCISE
Give the hypotheses for the following framework:

Customer satisfaction Customer


Service quality
switching

© 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.


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ARGUMENTATION

 The expected relationships / hypotheses are


an integration of:
 Exploratory research
 Common sense and logical reasoning

© 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.


www.wileyeurope.com/college/sekaran 16

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