Theoretical Framework and Hypothesis Development

Dr. Gita A. Kumta

Research Problem
It is a Problem that requires a Researcher to pursue it with a view to find out the best solution in a scientific manner.

Defining the Research Problem

A research problem can be defined as a gap or uncertainty in the decision makers existing body of knowledge which inhibits efficient decision making. The gap could be academic & theoretical (basic) or real time and action oriented (applied).

Problem Identification Process

Management Decision Problem

Discussions with subject experts

Review of existing literature

Organization Analysis

Qualitative analysis

Management Research Problem / Question

Research framework / Analytical model

Statement of Research Objectives

Formulation of Research Hypothesis

Problem Identification Process

Management decision problem: the issue/decision that needs to be resolved through research. Discussion with experts: to get the right perspective on the issue, discussion/dialogue is held with subject/industry expert. Review of literature: the most valuable source of framing the research question is to review the past work done on related topic(s). Qualitative surveys: primary exploratory loosely structured surveys to attain the environmental context.

Problem Identification Process

Management research problem: the four steps might lead to multiple directions/research problems the researcher can take. The researcher has to identify THE alternative he/she will undertake. Theoretical model building (optional) Statement of research objectives

Basic Features of a Theoretical Framework

Identification and labeling of variables. Identification of relationships between variables. Discussion whether relationship will be positive or negative. Explanation of the relationships between identified variables based on previous research findings. A schematic diagram of the Theoretical framework.

Theoretical Framework
A conceptual model of how one makes logical sense of the relationship among several factors that have been identified as important to the problem. Elaborates the relationship between the variables, explains the theory underlying these relations, and describes the nature and direction of relationship. A foundation on which entire research work is based. Logically developed, described through the process of interview, observation and literature survey, experience and intuition.

Variables
A Variable is a characteristic of a person, object or

phenomenon which can take on different values.

It is an attribute that takes different values (for the same object at different times or different objects at the same time). These may be in the form of numbers (e.g., age) or nonnumerical characteristics (e.g., gender).
e.g. age, attitude, absenteeism, profits, production units, job satisfaction, attrition

Define the problem to develop the theoretical frame work

The probability of cancer victims successfully recovering under the treatment was studied by a researcher in hospitals. She found three variables important for recovery:
Early and correct diagnosis by the researcher. The nurses should carefully follow the instructions of the doctor. Peace & quiet in vicinity .

Patients who were admitted in the advance stage of cancer did not respond to the treatment even though doctors diagnosis was done immediately on arrival, nurses were there & there was peace and quiet.

Variables for Research Study

The variable that is used to describe or measure the problem under study is called the DEPENDENT variable. The variables that are used to describe or measure the factors that are assumed to cause or at least to influence the problem are called the INDEPENDENT variables. In a study of the relationship between smoking and lung cancer, suffering from lung cancer (with the values yes, no) would be the dependent variable and smoking (varying from not smoking to smoking more than three packets a day) the independent variable. The definition is determined by the statement of the problem and the objectives of the study.
If a researcher investigates why people smoke, smoking is the dependent variable, and pressure from peers to smoke could be an independent variable. In the lung cancer study smoking was the independent variable.

Types of Variables
Extraneous Control Independent Dependent Moderating (Context) Intervening

Independent Variable
It influences the dependent variable. It is manipulated by the researcher in experimental research. Also known as treatment variable in experimental research. Research may have more than one independent variable.

Dependent Variable
It is affected by the changes in the independent variable. It is not manipulated by the researcher. Research may have more than one dependent variables.

Extraneous Variables
Control It is controlled by the researcher by keeping the values constant in both the groups especially in experimental research. Moderating It is studied by the researcher along with the other variables. Intervening It can neither be controlled nor studied. Its effect is to be inferred from the results.

Confounding Variable.
In scientific language we prefer to speak of ASSOCIATIONS between variables, unless a causal relationship can be proven. If we find an association between smoking and cancer, we can conclude that smoking causes cancer only if we can both demonstrate that the cancer was developed after the patient started smoking and that there are no other factors that could have caused both the cancer and the habit of smoking. A variable that is associated with the problem and with a possible cause of the problem is a potential CONFOUNDING VARIABLE. A confounding variable may either strengthen or weaken the apparent relationship between the problem and a possible cause.

Define the Problem to Develop the Theoretical Frame Work

A production manager is concerned about the low output levels of his employees.
The articles that he read on job performance frequently mentioned that four variables are important to job performance: Skill required for the job, Rewards, Motivation, and Satisfaction. In several of the articles it was also indicated that only if the rewards were attractive to the recipients did motivation, satisfaction, and job performance increase and not otherwise.

Identify Variables to Develop Theoretical Frame Work

With the air line deregulation, there were price wars among the various airlines that cut cost in different ways. According to the reports Delta airlines faced charges of Air safety violations when there were several near collisions in the mid air, and one accident that resulted in 137 deaths in 1987. Four important factors that seems to have influenced these are poor communication among the cockpit crew members themselves poor coordination between ground staff and cockpit crew training given to the cockpit crew. decentralisation The management would like to know if these factors did indeed contribute to the safety violations, and if so to what extent.

Theoretical Framework Schematic

Communication among cockpit members

Coordination between ground control and cockpit Decentralization Training of cockpit crew

Air safety violations

Independent variables

Dependable variable

Establishing the Relationships and Direction Between Variables

The more the decentralisation, the less the coordination. Greater the degree of decentralisation,the greater is the scope for lower levels communication / coordination and therefore greater the scope for air-safety violations.

Explanation of why such Relationships exist

Lower levels of communication among cockpit crew would fail to alert the pilot. Inadequate training of cockpit crew would fail to build survival skills.

Exercise Identify & classify the variables in the given problem.

A study of effect of training on the performance of employees. A study of effect of celebrity endorsements on the sales of a product. A study of relationship between motivation & job satisfaction. A study of customer satisfaction at a retail outlet.

Hypothesis
A logical relationship between two or more variables expressed in the form of a testable statement. It is an intelligent guess of the probable solution to the problem. They are derived from the theoretical framework formulated for the research.

Research Hypothesis
Research Hypothesis A proposition or generalisation which needs to be tested. Descriptive Hypothesis These are propositions that typically state the existence, size, form or distribution of some variable Relational Hypothesis Propositions that describe a relationship between two variables. A predictive statement that relates an independent variable to a dependent variable.

Types of Hypothesis
Null Alternate Non directional Directional

Null Hypothesis
Null hypothesis assumes no difference or no relationship between the two hypothesized variables. It indicates unbiased attitude of the researcher to the research. It is represented as Ho. When previous research literature does not give a clear direction, it is better to frame a hypothesis in null form.

Examples
There is no significant difference in the sales of the product before & after new packaging. M1=M2

There is no significant relationship between TV viewer ship & aggression among teenagers.

Alternate Hypothesis
It assumes some difference or some relationship between the hypothesized variables. When sufficient research literature is available indicating definite difference or relationship, alternate hypothesis is formulated. It is represented as H1

Examples
The performance of motivated employees is significantly different than those who are not motivated. The sales of a product is significantly related to the expenditure on the advertisement. The debt equity ratio of org. ABC is significantly higher than that of org. XYZ . The level of motivation of male employees is significantly lower than that of female employees.

Non - Directional Hypotheses

Examples 1 & 2 differ from 3 & 4. In statement 1 & 2 we do not know which variable has a higher value than the other. It does not tell us the DIRECTION of magnitude.

Directional Hypotheses
In examples 3 & 4 we know that the variables mentioned therein are not equal in magnitude. It tells us which variable is having a higher magnitude . They provide us the DIRECTION of the magnitude .

Frame Hypothesis
A study of relationship between interest rates & the investment habits. A study of relationship between e-shopping habits & some demographic variables. A study of effectiveness of sachet & bottle packaging of shampoo in terms of consumer preference.