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The Research Process: Step 4 and 5Theoretical FrameworkHypothesis Development

Business Information Research

Theoretical framework ( 理論架構 )theoretical framework is a conceptual

model( 概念的模式 ) that theorizes the relationships among the important variables ( 重要因素 ) to the problem.

理論架構是一種概念的模式，透過它可以建立理論，或找出研究問題中，幾個重要因素間的合理關係。

Theoretical framework A scientific theoretical framework bases itself

on the literature survey and theorizes the logical relationships among the variables identified.

Hypotheses (假設 )Hypotheses (假設 ) are several testable (可測試的 ) statements developed based on the theoretical framework.

With appropriate statistical analyses, we test the hypotheses and examine whether the theory formulated is valid or not.

( 依據理論架構，得以發展可測試的假設，同時驗證理論之形成是否確實成立，之後，便可透過合適之統計分析，來驗證假設之因果關係 )

Theoretical Framework and HypothesisThe theoretical framework and hypothesis

development helps us improve our understanding of the problem in a scientific manner.

Variable 變項A variable is a measurable factor in a situation

that may vary (change) at different time.

( 所謂變項係指任何具有不同數值的事物。例如，對相同對象或人而言，變項數值會因時間不同而改變 )

Dependent variable and independent variable refer to values that change in relation to each other.

Dependent variable 依變項

• The dependent variable is a variable that changes in response to the independent variable. Dependent variables are the main variables researchers observe and investigate.

• The answers or solutions to the research problem can be found through the analysis of the dependent variable.

• 是研究者主要關心的變項；研究者的目標在於理解及描述依變項，並解釋或預測其變化性。

ExampleMcDonald’s manager is concerned that the

sales of a new product, “ 足三兩” , introduced after test marketing it do not meet with his expectations.

ExampleMcDonald’s manager is concerned that the

sales of a new product, “ 足三兩” , introduced after test marketing it do not meet with his expectations.

Dependent variable – Sales (1. since sales can vary – can be low, medium, or high; 2. since sales is the main focus of interest to the manager)

QuestionAn applied researcher wants to increase the

performance of organizational members in a particular bank.

QuestionAn applied researcher wants to increase the

performance of organizational members in a particular bank.

Independent variable ( 自變項 )

• The independent variable is a variable that can change the dependent variable.

• The independent variable can be controlled to cause the variance (change) in the dependent variable.

• 即是以正向或負向方式影響依變項之變項；亦即自變項與依變項同時存在，且自變項每增加 1 單位，依變項也會因此而增加或減少。

ExampleResearch studies indicate that successful new

product development has an influence on the stock market price of the company.

More successful the new product turns out to be, the higher will be the stock market price of that firm.

ExampleSuccess of the new product – independent

variable

Stock market price – dependent variable

Moderating variable(調節變項 ) • moderating variable modifies the original

relationship between the independent and dependent variables.

• Moderating variables pinpoint (定點 ) the conditions under which an independent variable causes change to a dependent variable.

• 是指對自變項與依變項間，具有強烈影響效果的變項；亦即有第三個變項（即調節變項）的存在，改變了自變項與依變項間原有的關係。

Question: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 (得到 ) much benefit and do not improve with such training.

Question Independent variable – off-the-job classroom

training

Dependent variable – Productivity of the employees in her department

Moderating variable – Age of employee

Intervening variable (中介變項 ) Intervening variable facilitates a better

understanding of the relationship between the independent and dependent variables when the variables appear to have no connection.• 係指在自變項開始影響依變項，並於產生影響的期間，所顯

露出來的一種變項

Intervening variable (中介變項 ) An intervening variable is a temporary factor

that helps to conceptualize and explain the change of the independent variables.

中介變項具有暫時的特質，協助概念的建立，並解釋自變項對依變項所產生的影響。

Theoretical Framework

理論架構


The theoretical framework is the basis (基礎 ) of the research through which you find the solution to the problem.

理論架構可說是整個研究計畫的根本基礎


In the theoretical framework, you name all variables identified through interviews and literature survey and state the logical relationship among them.

經過符合邏輯的思考發展、描述，詳盡闡釋與問題情況相關的各種變項關係，並藉由一連串如訪談、觀察以及相關的學術文獻等過程來確認。


In so doing, you build up the theoretical framework (the network of the association of all variables).

After building up the theoretical framework, we can develop hypotheses and test them and find the solution to the problem.

The basic features of the Theoretical Framework

The variables should be identified. 被視為與研究有關的變項，均需在討論中清楚地加以界定

與歸類。


The relationship among variables should be built up 在討論中應說明兩個或兩個以上的變項間為何有關；對於

理論中所存在之重要變項關係，也應詳盡說明。


If the relationship among variables is based on any previous research findings (from the literature survey), they should be indicated. 假如變項關係的方向與本質，可依據過去的研究發現作為

基礎，而將其理論化，則對於變項之間是正相關還是負相關，應該在討論中另做說明。


Explain why you expect the relationship among variables exist. Support your argument with previous research findings 對於我們為何期望這些關係存在，應有詳細的解釋；而這

些論點可源自於過去的研究發現。


Draw a schematic (概要 ) diagram of the theoretical framework. 應該提供描述理論架構的系統圖示，以利讀者易於具體瞭

解理論化的變項關係。

Example - DELTA AIRLINE With airline deregulation, there were price wars

among the various airlines. Suppose Delta Airline faced charges of air-safety violations(違規 ) when there were several near collisions (相撞 ) in midair, and one accident that resulted in 137 deaths in 1987.

Example - DELTA AIRLINE Four important factors identified to have

influenced the poor (1) communication among the cockpit crew members themselves, poor (2) coordination between ground staff and cockpit crew, (3) minimal training given to the cockpit crew, and management philosophy that encouraged a (4) decentralized structure (組織分權 ).

Example - DELTA AIRLINE



Hypotheses Development 假設發展

Hypotheses Development A hypothesis is a testable statement that

states the logical relationship between two or more variables. 所謂假設，係指將兩個或更多變項之間合理推測的關係，

用可驗證的陳述方法表現出來。

Hypotheses Development By testing the hypotheses and confirming the

relationship theorized, we can expect to find the solution to the problem in a scientific manner. 變項關係之推斷，乃是以理論架構中所建立的相關網絡為

基礎，藉由驗證假設，並確認原先所推測的變項關係，期望能找出研究問題的解答。

Example If the pilots are given enough training to

handle midair crowded situations, air-safety violations will be reduced.

Statement of Hypotheses:

Formats

If-Then Statements

Example 5.15 Employees who are more healthy will take sick leave less frequently.

Example 5.16 If employee are more healthy, then they will take sick leave less frequently.

Directional and Non-directional Hypotheses

在敘述兩個變項之間或比較兩個群組的關係時，所用的詞語包含正面的、負面的、多於或少於等類似的用語時，這些假設就屬於方向性假設，因為變項間的方向關係（正關係／負關係）將被明白地表示出來。

Example 5.17 The greater the stress experienced in the job, the lower the job satisfaction of employees. (directional)

Example 5.18 Women are more motivated than men. (directional)

Directional and Non-directional Hypotheses

提出變項間的關係或差異性，但並未指出其方向關係；換句話說，即我們推測兩種變項間具有顯著關係，但並無法說出其關係是正相關還是負相關，此屬於非方向性假設。

Example 5.19 There is a relationship between age and job satisfaction.(non-directional)

Example 5.20 There is a difference between the work ethic values of American and Asian employees. (non-directional)

Hypothesis Testing with Qualitative Research質性研究的假設檢定

Negative Case Analysis 否定性個案分析法

Negative Case Analysis Hypotheses can also be tested with qualitative

data.

For example it usually take more time for women to rise to top

executive positions than men. Women generally are unaware (不知道 ) of the

most recent organizational changes as they are not a part of the decision-maker.

We hypothesize that gender-role stereotypes (規範模式 ) hinder (阻礙 ) women’s assess to critical (關鍵的 ) information.