SearchMethod.ppt

* * Chapter 4 The Research Process - Theoretical Framework Hypothesis Development Adapted from copyrighted materials of John Wiley Sons Ltd. Objectives/Outcomes Define and describe theoretical frameworks Define and describe variables Differentiate between dependent and independent variables Differentiate between moderators and mediating variables Describe hypotheses Explain underlying argumentation Adapted from copyrighted materials of John Wiley Sons Ltd. * 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). * Adapted from copyrighted materials of John Wiley Sons Ltd. Theoretical Framework Basic steps: Identify and label the variables correctly State the relationships among the variables: formulate hypotheses Explain how or why you expect these relationships * Adapted from copyrighted materials of John Wiley Sons Ltd. Variable Any concept or construct that varies or changes in value Main types of variables: Dependent variable Independent variable Moderating variable (moderator) Mediating variable (mediator) * Adapted from copyrighted materials of John Wiley Sons Ltd. (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. * Adapted from copyrighted materials of John Wiley Sons Ltd. Example * Adapted from copyrighted materials of John Wiley Sons Ltd. Moderators Moderating variable (MV) 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 and dependent variable. * A