Theoretical Framework

and Hypothesis
Development
Topic 4
RMT
 Theoretical Framework
The need for a theoretical
framework?????
 Variable
Anything that can take on differing or
varying values.

Examples:

Production units
Absenteeism
Motivation
 Types of Variables
The dependent variable

The independent variable

The moderating variable

The intervening variable

 Dependent Variable
It is the main variable that lends itself for
investigation as a viable factor.

For Example:
1.An applied researcher wants to increase
the performance of organizational
members in a particular bank.
2.A marketing manager wonders why the
recent advertisements strategy does not
work.
 Independent Variable
The independent variables are those that are
deliberately manipulated to invoke a
change in the dependent variables.

For Example:
1.A manager believes that good supervision
and training would increase the production
level of workers.
2.A consultant is of the opinion that much
benefit would accrue by buying and selling
at the appropriate times in a financial
environment where the stocks are volatile.
 Moderating Variable
The moderating variable is one that
has a strong contingent effect on the
independent variable and dependent
variable relationship. That is the
presence of a third variable modifies
the original relationship between the
independent and the dependent
variables.
 Moderating Variable
Scenario 1:
A manager finds that off the job
classroom training has a great impact
on the productivity of the employees
in her department. However, she also
observes that employees over 60
years of age do not seem to derive
much benefit and do not improve with
such training.
 Moderating Variable
Scenario 2:
A visitor to a factory observes that the
workers in the packing department have
to interact with one another to get their
jobs done. The more they interact, the
more they seem to tend to stay after
hours and go to the local restaurant for
coffee. However, the women packers,
even though they interact with others as
much as the men, do not stay late, nor do
they visit the restaurant after work hours.
 Intervening Variable
An intervening variable is 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.
The intervening variable surfaces as a function
of the independent variables opening in any
situation and helps to conceptualize and
explain the influence of the independent
variable on the dependent variable.
 Intervening Variable
Scenario 1:

Failure to follow accounting principles

causes immense confusion, which in
turn creates a number of problems for
the organization. Those with vast
experience in bookkeeping, however
are able to avert the problems by
taking timely corrective action.
 Intervening Variable
Scenario 2:
The manager of Haines company observes that the morale
of employees is low She thinks that if working conditions
are improve, pay scales raised, and the vacation benefits
made attractive, the morale will be boosted. She doubts
however, if an increase of pay scales would raise the
morale of all employees. Her perception is that those
that have supplemental incomes will just not be turned
on by higher pay, and only those without side incomes
will be happy with increased pay with resultant boost of
morale.
 Exercise
Make up three different situations in
which motivation is:

1.Independent variable
2.Intervening variable
3.Moderating variable
 Theoretical Framework
Consists of the variables considered
relevant to the study
2. Shows the nature and direction of
relationships
3. Sometimes show the positive and
negative relationships
4. Consists of a diagram to easily
comprehend the theorized
relationships.
 Hypothesis
A relationship between two or more
variables expressed in the form of
testable statement.
By confirming or rejecting hypothesis,
it is expected that solutions can be
found to correct the problem
encountered.
 Types of Hypothesis
1. If-then statements:
Employees who are more healthy will
take sick leave less frequently.

If employees are more healthy, then

they will take sick leave less
frequently.
 Types of Hypothesis
2. Directional and Non directional Hypothesis:

If terms such as positive, negative, more than,

less than are used, then the hypothesis are
directional because the relationship between
variables is indicated.
For Example:
The greater the stress experienced in the job, the
lower the job satisfaction level of employees.
 Types of Hypothesis
Non-Directional Hypothesis:

No indication of the direction of the

relationship is given.

For example:
There is a relationship between age
and satisfaction.
 Types of Hypothesis
Hypothesis

Null Hypothesis

Alternate Hypothesis