Research Methods in Business

Prof. Dr. Mohammed Al-Taee

PART ONE
Ch.5
Theoretical Framework
Hypothesis Development AL-TAEY
Q1-List the different kinds of variables that could
operate in a situation.
 
There are four main types of variables:
1. The dependent variable (also known as the
criterion variable).
2. The independent variable (also known as the
predictor variable).
3. The moderating variable.
4. The intervening variable. AL-TAEY
 
Q2- Define “Dependent Variable”.
 
-Is the variable of primary interest to the researcher. The
researcher‘s goal is to understand and describe the
dependent variable, or to explain its variability, or
predict it.
 
-Is the main variable that lends itself for investigation as
a viable factor. Through the analysis of the dependent
variable (i.e., finding what variables influence it), it is
possible to find answers or solutions to the problem.
  AL-TAEY
Exercise 5.1

An applied researcher wants to

increase the performance of
organizational members in a particular
bank.
What would be the dependent variable
in this case?
AL-TAEY
Exercise 5.2

A marketing manager wonders why the

recent advertisement strategy does not
work.
 
What would be the dependent variable
here?
AL-TAEY
Q4- Define “Independent Variable “.
Is one that influences the dependent
variable in either a positive or negative
way. That is, when the independent
variable is present, the dependent
variable is also present, and with each
unit of increase in the independent
variable, there is an increase or
decrease in the dependent variable
AL-TAEY
also.
List the variables in this and the next
exercise, individually, and label them as
dependent or independent, explaining
why they are so labeled. Diagram the
relationships.
Exercise 5.3
A manager believes that good
supervision and training would increase
the production level of the workers.
AL-TAEY
List the variables in this and the next
exercise, individually, and label them as
dependent or independent, explaining why
they are so labeled. Diagram the
relationships.

Exercise 5.4
Research studies indicate that successful
new product development has an influence
on the stock market price of the company.
AL-TAEY
Q5- Define “ Moderating Variable “.

Is one that has a strong contingent

effect on the independent variable–
dependent variable relationship. That is,
the presence of a third variable (the
moderating variable) modifies the
original relationship between the
independent and the dependent
AL-TAEY
variables.
List and label the variables in this and the
following exercise and explain and diagram the
relationships among the variables.
 
Exercise 5.5
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.
AL-TAEY
List and label the variables in this and the
following exercise and explain and diagram
the relationships among the variables.
 
Exercise 5.6
The effective utilization of different talents,
perspectives, and eclectic problem-solving
capabilities for enhanced organizational
effectiveness is contingent on the skill of the
managers in acting as catalysts(managerial
AL-TAEY
expertise ).
Q7- Define the “Theoretical Framework”

-Is the foundation on which the entire research project is

based. It is a logically developed, described, and
elaborated network of associations among the variables
deemed relevant to the problem situation and identified
through such processes as interviews, observations, and
literature survey. Experience and intuition also guide in
developing the theoretical framework.

-Is a conceptual model of how one theorizes or makes

logical sense of the relationships among the several
factors that have been identified as important to the
AL-TAEY
problem.
Q8- The theoretical framework is an important
step in the research process. How?

It becomes evident at this stage that to arrive

at good solutions to the problem, one should :
1-Correctly identify the problem first, and
2- Then the variables that contribute to it.
3-The importance of conducting purposeful
interviews.
4-Doing a thorough literature review now
AL-TAEY
becomes clear.
Q8- The theoretical framework is an important
step in the research process. How?

5-After identifying the appropriate variables, the

next step is to elaborate the network of
associations among the variables,
6-So that relevant hypotheses can be developed
and subsequently tested.
7-Based on the results of hypotheses testing (which
would indicate whether or not the hypotheses have
been supported), the extent to which the problem
can be solved would become evident. AL-TAEY
Q9- Explain the relationship between the literature
survey and the theoretical framework.
 1.The literature survey identifies the variables that
might be important, as determined by previous
research findings.

 2.This, in addition to other logical connections that

can be conceptualized, forms the basis for the
theoretical model. The theoretical framework
elaborates the relationships among the variables,
explains the theory underlying these relations, and
describes the nature and direction of the
AL-TAEY
relationships.
Q9- Explain the relationship between the literature
survey and the theoretical framework.

3.Just as the literature survey sets the

stage for a good theoretical framework,
this in turn provides the logical base for
developing testable hypotheses.

AL-TAEY
Q10- What are the main Components of the
Theoretical Framework
In sum, there are five basic features that should be
incorporated in any theoretical framework.
1.The variables considered relevant to the study
should be clearly identified and labeled in the
discussions.
 
2. The discussions should state how two or more
variables are related to one another. This should be
done for the important relationships that are
theorized to exist among the variables. AL-TAEY
Q10- What are the main Components of the
Theoretical Framework

3. If the nature and direction of the

relationships can be theorized on the basis
of the findings of previous research, then
there should be an indication in the
discussions as to whether the relationships
would be positive or negative.
AL-TAEY
Q10- What are the main Components of the
Theoretical Framework
4. There should be a clear explanation of why
we would expect these relationships to exist.
The arguments could be drawn from the
previous research findings.
 
5. A schematic diagram of the theoretical
framework should be given so that the reader
can see and easily comprehend the theorized
relationships. AL-TAEY
Q11-Define Hypothesis.

A hypothesis can be defined as a logically

conjectured relationship between two or
more variables expressed in the form of a
testable statement.

AL-TAEY
 Important Notes
 
1-Relationships are conjectured on the
basis of the network of associations
established in the theoretical framework
formulated for the research study.
2- By testing the hypotheses and
confirming the conjectured relationships, it
is expected that solutions can be found to
correct the problem encountered. AL-TAEY