Chapter # 5Chapter # 5The Research Process: The Research Process:

Steps 4 and 5Steps 4 and 5

The Research Process:The Research Process:Steps 4 and 5:Steps 4 and 5:

Theoretical FrameworkTheoretical FrameworkHypothesis DevelopmentHypothesis Development

A Theoretical FrameworkA Theoretical Framework

A conceptual model of how one A conceptual model of how one theorizes or makes logical sense of the theorizes or makes logical sense of the relationship among the several factors relationship among the several factors that have been identified as important that have been identified as important to the problem.to the problem.

VariablesVariables

Anything that can take on differing Anything that can take on differing or varying values.or varying values.

Types of VariablesTypes of Variables

The dependent variable/ criterion The dependent variable/ criterion variable.variable.The independent variable/ predictor The independent variable/ predictor variable.variable.The moderating variable.The moderating variable.The intervening variable/ mediating The intervening variable/ mediating variable.variable.

Dependent Variable/ Criterion Dependent Variable/ Criterion VariableVariable

The variable of primary interest to The variable of primary interest to the researcher.the researcher.

Independent Variable/ Independent Variable/ Predictor VariablePredictor Variable

One that influences the dependent One that influences the dependent variable in either a positive or a variable in either a positive or a negative way.negative way.

Moderating VariableModerating Variable

One that has a strong contingent One that has a strong contingent effect on the independent variable-effect on the independent variable-dependent variable relationship.dependent variable relationship.

Intervening VariableIntervening Variable

One that surfaces between the One that surfaces between the time the independent variable time the independent variable operate to influence the dependent operate to influence the dependent variable and their impact on the variable and their impact on the dependent variable.dependent variable.

Theoretical FrameworkTheoretical Framework

A logically developed, described, and A logically developed, described, and explained network of associations explained network of associations among variables of interest to the among variables of interest to the research study.research study.

Five Basic FeaturesFive Basic Features

The variables considered relevant to the The variables considered relevant to the study should be clearly identified and study should be clearly identified and labelled in the discussions.labelled in the discussions.The discussions should state how two or The discussions should state how two or more variables are related to one another.more variables are related to one another.If the nature and direction of the If the nature and direction of the relationship can be theorized on the basis relationship can be theorized on the basis of the findings from previous research, of the findings from previous research, then there should an indication in the then there should an indication in the discussion as to whether the relationship discussion as to whether the relationship would be positive or negative.would be positive or negative.

Five Basic Features Five Basic Features (cont.)(cont.)

There should be a clear explanation of There should be a clear explanation of why we would expect these relationship why we would expect these relationship to exist.to exist.A schematic diagram of the theoritial A schematic diagram of the theoritial framework should be given so the reader framework should be given so the reader can see and easily comprehend the can see and easily comprehend the theorized relationship.theorized relationship.

Definition of Hypothesis Definition of Hypothesis

A logically conjected relationship A logically conjected relationship between two or more variables between two or more variables expressed in the form of a testable expressed in the form of a testable statement.statement.

Statement of Hypotheses: FormatStatement of Hypotheses: Format

If-Then StatementsIf-Then Statements

Examples.Examples.If employees are more healthy, then If employees are more healthy, then they will take sick leave less they will take sick leave less frequently.frequently.

Directional and Nondirectional Directional and Nondirectional HypothesesHypotheses

Directional Hypothesis.Directional Hypothesis.Nondirectional Hypothesis.Nondirectional Hypothesis.

Directional HypothesesDirectional Hypotheses

An educated conjecture as to the An educated conjecture as to the direction of the relationship, or direction of the relationship, or differencess among variables, which differencess among variables, which could be positive or negative, or could be positive or negative, or more, or less, respectively.more, or less, respectively.

Nondirectional HypothesesNondirectional Hypotheses

An educated conjecture of a An educated conjecture of a relationship between two variables, relationship between two variables, the directionality of which cannot be the directionality of which cannot be guessed. guessed.

Null and Alternate HypothesesNull and Alternate Hypotheses

Null Hypothesis.Null Hypothesis.Alternate Hypothesis.Alternate Hypothesis.

Null HypothesesNull Hypotheses

A proposition that states a A proposition that states a definitive, exact relationship definitive, exact relationship between two variable.between two variable.

Alternate HypothesesAlternate Hypotheses

A statement expressing a A statement expressing a relationship between two variables relationship between two variables or indicating differences between or indicating differences between groups.groups.

Hypothesis Testing with Qualitative Hypothesis Testing with Qualitative Research: Negative Case AnalysisResearch: Negative Case Analysis

This new discovery through This new discovery through discomfirmation of the original discomfirmation of the original hypothesis, known as the negative hypothesis, known as the negative case method, enables the researcher to case method, enables the researcher to revise the theory and the hypothesis revise the theory and the hypothesis until such time the theory becomes until such time the theory becomes robust.robust.