AGRI 24- Introduction to Research Methods

RORL, THEORETICAL AND CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORKS

PPT Lecture Notes 3

2nd Semester
SY 2020-2021

JOSE EDWIN C. CUBELO, PH.D.

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

J.E.C.CUBELO, PH.D .
 CHAPTER I - Recap
Background and Rationale
✓ current state of the problem/issue investigated, data gaps, justification
Statement of the Problem
✓ definition of problem/general and specific objectives of the study /research questions
Hypothesis [es] of the study
✓ Tentative propositions of the study
Significance of the Study
✓ theoretical and practical relevance of the study
Scope and Limitation
✓ conceptual boundary and inherent weaknesses
Definition of Terms
✓ Operational definition of key variables

J.E.C.CUBELO, PH.D .
II. REVIEW OF LITERATURE AND RELATED STUDIES
o Going back to existing written materials related to the problem under study.

o Review both conceptual literature and related studies

FUNCTIONS OF RORL

1.Presents a historical background of the subject being studied

2. Identifies gaps and inconsistencies in previous researches.

3. Helps define the research problem

4. Presents the relationships among variables that have been investigated.

J.E.C.CUBELO, PH.D .
Functions of RORL [Cont’d]

5. Helps in the development of the theoretical framework

6. Helps in the development of the conceptual framework

7. Provides information on the methods used

8. Helps in the interpretation of findings

9. Helps in outlining the implications of the study

J.E.C.CUBELO, PH.D .
Rules of Thumb in Reviewing Literature
• Do not rely on secondary materials or research abstracts

• Focus not only on the major findings, but also on how these were arrived
at (methods).

• Consider sources other than from the developed countries

• Unless necessary, avoid direct quotations from sources

• Review recent materials but old materials are useful for historical
background.
J.E.C.CUBELO, PH.D .
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK OF THE STUDY
o Presents the THEORY from which the research problem was
derived or to which it is linked (Librero, 1986);

o The generality of relations in a theory makes for possible

applications to many phenomena and to many people in many
places.

J.E.C.CUBELO, PH.D .
PARTS OF A THEORY
1. Construct
❑ is a concept deliberately and consciously invented or adopted for a special
scientific purpose (Kerlinger, 1986);

Concept
• building block of theory;
• expresses an abstraction formed by generalization from particulars (Kerlinger, 1986);

2. Variables
o a characteristic that has two or more mutually exclusive values or properties
(Ardales, 1992);

o are symbols to which numerals or values are assigned (Kerlinger, 1986);

J.E.C.CUBELO, PH.D .
Parts of a Theory [cont’d]
3. Definitions
o provide the vehicles by which concepts become clear, precise and
agreed upon;

o join concepts and variables together

4. Propositions

o Specified relations between variables or phenomena

J.E.C.CUBELO, PH.D .
FUNCTIONS OF THE THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
o Provides research a theoretical base or anchorage upon which all the data
can be related

o Helps integrate the different factors of the study

o Summarizes the facts to be gathered and why propositions regarding

certain relationships are made

o Leads to the formulation of hypotheses that are empirically meaningful

J.E.C.CUBELO, PH.D .
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK OF THE STUDY
o Presents the relationship between the specific concepts that
may be studied;

o concepts should be derived from those used in the

theoretical framework, and are more concrete (Librero, 1996).

J.E.C.CUBELO, PH.D .
Functions of Conceptual Framework
o Spells out the variables that the researcher must take into account

o Delimits the boundaries of the prospective investigation by suggesting

which variables are to be considered irrelevant.

o Provides the structure of the study that imparts meaning to the research
findings.

J.E.C.CUBELO, PH.D .
HYPOTHESIS
o a tentative proposition about the relationship between
two or more variables (Kerlinger, 1986).

o a tentative answer to the research problem, expressed in

the form of clearly stated relation between the
independent and dependent variables;

o derived from theory

o the working instrument of theory

J.E.C.CUBELO, PH.D .
Types of Hypotheses
1.Null Hypothesis (Ho)
o is a non relational statement of a condition between
two variables; states that there are no significant
difference between two variables.

2.Alternative Hypothesis (Ha)

o states a relationship between two or more variables
that the research predicts will emerge; also called
research or substantive hypothesis.
J.E.C.CUBELO, PH.D .
Types of Hypothesis
Simple hypothesis
o predicts the relationship between a single independent
variable (IV) and a single dependent variable (DV)

Complex hypothesis
o predicts the relationship between two or more independent
variables and two or more dependent variables.

J.E.C.CUBELO, PH.D .
Types of Hypothesis
Directional Hypothesis
o usually derived from theory.

o specify the expected direction of the relationship between variables i.e. the
researcher predicts not only the existence of a relationship but also its nature.

Non-Directional
o Do not stipulate the direction of the relationship.

o Used when there is little theory; or when findings of previous studies are
contradictory.

o may imply impartiality.

J.E.C.CUBELO, PH.D .
Types of Hypothesis
Causal Hypothesis
o Propose a cause and effect interaction between two or more
variables.

o independent variable is manipulated to cause effect on the

dependent variable.

o dependent variable is measured to examine the effect created by

the independent variable.

J.E.C.CUBELO, PH.D .
Types of Hypothesis
Associative Hypothesis

o Propose relationships between variables - when one variable

changes, the other changes.

o Do not indicate cause and effect.

J.E.C.CUBELO, PH.D .
Relationship of Theory and Research
• Theory initiates and guides an empirical inquiry
• Research generates empirical evidence that contribute
to theory development.

Theory

Empirical
Hypothesis
Generalization

Observation

J.E.C.CUBELO, PH.D .