11 Chapter 4 The Research Process – Theoretical Framework – (Stage 3 in Research Process) © 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

 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.

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) 3 © 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

 Basic steps: – Identify and label the variables correctly –State the relationships among the variables: formulate hypotheses –Explain how or why you expect these relationships 4 © 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Variable  Any concept or construct that varies or changes in value  Main types of variables: –Dependent variable –Independent variable 5 © 2009 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. 6 © 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

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. 7 © 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Writing the Literature Review Guidelines 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 review Step 2: Analyze the literature Step 3: Summarize the literature in table or concept map format Step 4: Synthesize the literature prior to writing your review Step 5: Writing the review 8 © 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

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. 9 © 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

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). 10 © 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

 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). 11 © 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

 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. 12 © 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

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 13 © 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

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. 14 © 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

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. 15 © 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

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 16 © 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Step 5: Writing the review  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. 17 © 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Step 5: Writing the review  Remember, each literature should include: Definitions of key terms and concepts and investigation. Time frame Research methods Summary of research results 18 © 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.