Research Method
Theoretical Framework
Topics
• Theoretical Framework
• Variables
• Dependent variable
• Independent variable
• Moderating variable
• Mediating variable
Next Step
Induction Deduction
Theoretical
Critical Literature Framework Generation:
Review (variables Hypotheses
identification)
[Link] a broad problem
Research Design area
[Link] the problem
statement
[Link] hypotheses
[Link] measures
[Link] collection
[Link] analysis
[Link] of data
Theoretical Framework
• A theoretical framework represents:
1. your beliefs on how certain phenomena (or variables or concepts)
are related to each other (a model); and
2. an explanation of why you believe that these variables are
associated with each other (a theory).
• The process includes:
1. Introducing definitions of the concepts or variables in your model.
2. Developing a conceptual model that provides a descriptive
representation of your theory.
3. Coming up with a theory that provides an explanation for
relationships between the variables in your model.
Variables
A variable is anything (concept or construct) that can take on differing or
varying values.
The values can differ at various times for the same object or person, or at
the same time for different objects or persons.
Dependent variable (the criterion variable)
Independent variable (the predictor variable)
influences the dependent variable in either a positive or negative way
Moderating variable
modifies the original relationship between the independent and the
dependent variables
Mediating variable
one that surfaces between the time the independent variables start operating
to influence the dependent variable and the time their impact is felt on it
(In)dependent Variable
• 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.
New product
Stock market price
success
Independent variable Dependent variable
Moderating Variable
Moderating variable/moderator is qualitative (e.g.,
gender, race, class) or quantitative (e.g., level of reward)
variable that affects the direction and/or strength of
relation between independent & dependent variable.
Age Blood Pressure
Independent variable Dependent variable
Sex
Moderating variable
Moderating Variable
Model with Moderating
Original Model
Variable
Adjusted Predictions with 95% CIs Adjusted Predictions of sex with 95% CIs
140
140 130
Linear Prediction
130
Linear Prediction
120
120
110 100
110
20 30 40 50 60
Age (years)
20 30 40 50 60
Age (years) Female Male
Mediating variable
Mediating variable/mediator surfaces between the
time the independent variables start operating to
influence the dependent variable and the time
their impact is felt on it.
Workforce Organizational
Creative sinergy
diversity effectiveness
Independent variable Mediating variable Dependent variable
Variables Summary
• Independent variable
helps to explain the variance in the dependent variable.
• Moderating variable
has a contingent effect on the relationship between two
variables.
• Mediating variable
surfaces at time t2 as a function of the independent variable,
which also helps us to conceptualize the relationship between
the independent and dependent variables.
Theoretical Framework
Requirements
1. The variables considered relevant to the study
should be clearly defined.
2. A conceptual model that describes the
relationships between the variables in the
model should be given.
3. There should be a clear explanation of why we
expect these relationships to exist.
Framework Example
• The dependent variable of advancement of women to top management positions is
influenced by gender‐role stereotyping and access to critical information.
• Gender‐role stereotypes adversely impact on women’s career progress. Since women
are perceived as ineffective leaders but good nurturers, they are not assigned line
positions in their early careers but offered staff responsibilities.
• Gender‐role stereotypes also hinder access to information. If women are not considered
to be decision makers and leaders, but are perceived merely as support personnel,
they will not be apprised of critical information essential for organizational
advancement, since this is not seen as relevant for them. When women do not have
the critical information that is shared in informal networks, their chances of
advancement to top positions also get severely restricted.
Gender-role Access to Advancement of
stereotyping information women to the top
Reference
• Sekaran, Bougie, 2016, Research Methods for
Business, 7E.
• Cooper, Schindler, 2014, Business Research
Methods, 12E.
• Saunders, Lewis, Thornhill, 2016, Research
Methods for Business Students, 7E
• Miles, Huberman, Saldana, 2014, Qualitative
Data Analysis: a Methods Sourcebook, 3E
