11 chapter 4 the research process – theoretical framework – (stage 3 in research process) ©...

11

Chapter 4The Research Process –

Theoretical Framework – (Stage 3 in Research Process)

© 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.www.wileyeurope.com/college/sekaran

Recall the Research process:

1) Broad problem area

2) Problem statement

3) Theoretical Framework

4) Generation of hypotheses

5) Data collection:

6) Data analysis:

7) Report Writing( Interpretation of results)

2© 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.www.wileyeurope.com/college/sekaran

Stage 3 : 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).

Thus, there are three parts within theoretical framework:– Variables (affecting the problem) – Model ( to make logical sense of the several factors identified)– Theory (driven from previous studies in problem area)


Basic steps:– Identify and label the variables correctly– State the relationships among the variables:

formulate hypotheses– Explain how or why you expect these

relationships


Variable Any concept or construct that varies or changes in

value

Main types of variables:– Dependent variable– Independent variable


(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.


Examples Identify the Dependent variable (DV) & Independent

variable (IV)?......research studies indicate that…..– Successful new product development has influential impact on

the stock price of the company. – A manager believes that good supervision and training would

increase the production level of workers.– Calcium consumption and bone density.– Inflation rate in Kuwait is increasing overtime due to global food

prices and high workers’ wages.– High blood pressure might be identified due to overweight , age,

family history, and stress.


Writing the Literature ReviewGuidelines are adapted primarily from Galvan (2006). Galvan outlines a very clear, step-by-step approach that is very useful to use as you write your review.Step 1: Identify the literature that you will reviewStep 2: Analyze the literature Step 3: Summarize the literature in table or concept map formatStep 4: Synthesize the literature prior to writing your reviewStep 5: Writing the review


Step 1: Identify the literature that you will review

Familiarize yourself with online databases, identifying relevant databases in your field of study.

Using relevant databases, search for literature sources maybe using Google Scholar as a start point;

Import your references into a separate sheet.


Step 2: Analyze the literature

Once you have identified and located the articles for your review, you need to analyze them and organize them before you begin writing:Overview the articles: Skim the articles to get an idea of the general purpose and content of the article (focus your reading here on the abstract, introduction and first few paragraphs, and the conclusion of each article). Group the articles into categories (e.g. into topics and subtopics and chronologically within each subtopic).


Take notes

1-Identify major trends or patterns: As you read a range of articles on your topic, you should make note of trends and patterns over time as reported in the literature.

2- If necessarily, select useful quotes that you may want to include in your review: Important: If you copy the exact words from an article, be sure to cite the page number as you will need it (THOUGH; I DO NOT RECOMMEND THAT AT ALL).


Take notes

3- Identify gaps in the literature:, and reflect on why these might exist (based on the understandings that you have gained by reading literature in this field of study). These gaps will be important for you to address as you plan and write your review.

4- Keep your review focused on your topic: make sure that the articles you find are relevant and directly related to your topic.

5- Evaluate your references : you have to decide at what point you are finished with collecting new studies so that you can focus on writing up your findings.


Step 3: Summarize the literature in table or concept map format

It is recommended to build tables as a key way to help you overview, organize, and summarize your findings of such literature survey, THUS including one or more of the tables that you create may be helpful in your literature review.

You can create the table that may be relevant to your review to include:

• Definitions of key terms and concepts and investigation.

• Time frame• Research methods• Summary of research results


Step 4: Synthesize the literature prior to writing your review

Consider your purpose before beginning to write.

Consider how you reassemble your notes.

Create a topic outline that traces your argument.

Within each topic heading, note differences among studies.

Within each topic heading, look for obvious gaps or areas needing more research.


Step 4: Synthesize the literature prior to writing your review

Plan to describe relevant theories.

Plan to present conclusions and implications.

Plan to suggest specific directions for future research near the end of the review.

Flesh out your outline with details from your analysis.


Step 5: Writing the review

Identify the broad problem area, but avoid global statements.

Early in the review, indicate why the topic being reviewed is important.

Indicate why certain studies are important If citing a classic or landmark study, identify it as such If a landmark study was replicated, mention that and

indicate the results of the replication Discuss other literature reviews on your topic



Refer the reader to other reviews on issues that you will not be discussing in details.

Avoid long lists of nonspecific references (working papers, unpublished papers, conference papers. …others).

If the results of previous studies are inconsistent or widely varying, cite them separately

Cite all relevant references in the review section of thesis, dissertation, or journal article.



Remember, each literature should include:• Definitions of key terms and concepts and

investigation.• Time frame• Research methods• Summary of research results


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