The Variable, Concept, construct and the linkage by : Sajjad Ahmad Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) for MS, PhD students

1. Theoretical Framework
Analyze
Gather Data
Predict
Hypothesize
Observe
Sajjad Ahmad
Universiti Putra Malaysia
Concept Construct & Variable
Med
IV
IV
IV

2. The scientific method as a cyclic or iterative process
The Scientific Method as an Ongoing Process

3. CONSTRUCTS
 Broad concepts or topics of
study
Abstract
Not directly observable
May be complex (have multiple
parts)
 Examples of constructs:
Aggression
Love
Intelligence
Life satisfaction

4. Researchers define constructs both
“conceptually” and “operationally”
Conceptual definition: provides meaning to one construct in
abstract ortheoretical terms
BUT…
We have to make our abstract concepts concrete so we can
study them!
Operational definition: defines a construct by specifying the
procedures used to
(How to measure it?) measure a construct.
Two ways to do this:
“the assignment of numerals to objects,
events”
(What does it mean?)
--Providing a clear
definition
--Designating a
particular
measurement
instrument to represent
the concept

5. Intelligenc
e:
Examples of definition
Conceptual:
The capacity for abstract thought,
understanding, communication, reasoning,
learning, planning and problem solving.
Operational:
The score resulting from performing the
Raven’s
Progressive Matrices Test.
Intelligenc
e:
Is intelligence related to happiness?

6. Leggett’s Intimacy Scale
1-Strongly Disagree 3- Neither agree or disagree, 5- Strongly
Agree
 I trust my partner with my deepest secrets
 I feel that I can rely on my partner to protect
my feelings and concerns
 I feel comfortable when my partner is on trips or outings
without me
 My partner is the closest person to me
 I feel safe with my partners’ suggestions,
insights, and opinions

7. Example
•Ex. 1: We are interested in the relationship
between childhood depression and the divorce
of one’s parents during childhood…
•Divorce
•Depression
•Ex. 2: Aggression in adults

8. Note…
 Operational definitions aren’t always
good… they may not accurately capture
the intended construct (i.e., lack validity)
 An operational definition is simply how a
researcher decides to measure (and thus
define) a construct
 For example, intelligence is more than a
score on a
test…

9. Practice makes perfect…
 In small groups, you will operationalize
the following variables. Be both
creative and precise! Afterward, you will
present your responses to the class.
1. Enthusiasm
2. Love
3. Popularity

10. VARIABLES
 When we operationalize a concept, we are
creating
VARIABLES!
 Definition: Any characteristic that varies
(meaning it must have at least two values)
Any event, situation, behavior, or individual
characteristic
that varies

11. Variables Examples
 Examples:
Height (participant or subject variable)
Age (participant or subject variable)
Stress (response variable)
Score on depression test (response
variable)
Number of bystanders to an emergency
(situational variable)

12. Class Survey
 In the context of giving a
survey to the members of
this class, are the following
entities variables?
What is your gender?
Which university do you attend?
What is your level of
extraversion?

13. Variables
 Research questions and
hypotheses consist of x and y
variables
 Is X related to Y?
 Is studying related to school
performance?

14. Independent vs. Dependent
 Independent variable (IV)– the “x” variable
Considered the “cause” of a behavior (the DV)
Variable that is manipulated in experimental design
 The predictor variable in an observational/correlational
study
 Dependent variable (DV)– the “y” variable
The variable that is the “effect”
The “outcome” or “response” variable
 The outcome variable in an observational/correlational
study
Ask yourself: Which (do you think) comes first?

15. IV and DV example…
 Researchers are interested in examining the effect of
cooperative learning (i.e., working in groups) on math
skills. They observe study hall sessions and compare
students who work in dyads to those who work alone
according to their performance (% correct) on a specific
math test.
 Independent Variable?
• What are the categories of this variable?
 Dependent Variable?

16. Theoretical Framework
• The theoretical framework provides the rationale for conducting your
research to investigate a particular research problem.
• Theoretical framework is a conceptual model that establishes a sense of
structure that guides your research.
• It provides the background that supports your investigation and offers
the reader a justification for your study of a particular research problem.
• It includes the variables you intend to measure and the relationships you
seek to understand.
• Essentially, this is where you describe a “theory” and build your case for
investigating that theory.
• The theoretical framework is your presentation of a theory that explains
a particular problem. It is not based on your suspicions alone,

17. What do you mean, not based on my
suspicions alone?
• The theoretical framework is a summary of your theory regarding a
particular problem that is developed through a review of previous
research on the variables involved.
• It identifies a plan for investigation and interpretation of the
findings. The theoretical framework involves a well-supported
rationale and is organized in a manner that helps the reader
understand and assess your perspective.
• The purpose is to demonstrate that the relationships you propose
are not based on your personal instincts or guesses, but rather
formed from facts obtained from authors of previous research.

18. Why is the theoretical framework
important?
• The development of the theoretical framework helps to clarify your
implicit theory in a manner that is more clearly defined.
• It helps you to consider other possible frameworks and to reduce
biases that may sway your interpretation.
• As you develop your theoretical framework you will consider
alternative theories that might challenge your perspective.
• You will also consider the limitations associated with your theory,
and quite possibly, that your problem could be better understood
by other theoretical frameworks.

19. Nature of Research Problem
• The theoretical framework is how you conceptualize the nature of
your research problem, its basis and the analysis you will choose to
investigate that problem.
• This framework determines how you perceive, make sense of, and
interpret your variables, constructs and data Items.
• Explanation of the theoretical framework helps the reader
understand your perspective and context.

20. How do I develop a theoretical framework?
• The theoretical framework is developed from and connected to
your review of the knowledge on the topic (the literature review).
• This knowledge is likely how you initially formulated your research
problem.
• You reviewed the literature and found gaps in the explanation of
some phenomenon.
• The theoretical framework allows you to present the research
problem in light of a summary of the literature.

21. Literature Review & TF
• Your description of the variables of interest in context of the literature review
allows the reader to understand the theorized relationships.
• You should begin by describing what is known about your variables, what is
known about their relationship, and what can be explained thus far.
• You will investigate other researchers’ theories behind these relationships and
identify a theory (or combination of theories) that explains your major
research problem.
• Essentially, your goal is to convey to the reader why you think your variables
are related, so the inclusion of previous research and theories that support
your belief are essential to defending your rationale.
• You apply the theory to your problem, and state your hypotheses or
predictions regarding potential relationships. You tell the reader what you
expect to find in your research.

22. How does theoretical framework relate to
quantitative research design?
• There is a link between theoretical framework and quantitative
research design. The choice of research design is based on the
goals of the study and a solid review of the literature.
• Quantitative research design utilizes deductive reasoning, which
begins with identifying the theoretical framework that will provide
structure and guide the research project.
• The theoretical framework is presented in the early sections of a
quantitative research proposal to establish the grounds for the
study.

23. TF & your Research Methodology
• The theoretical framework will direct the research methods you
choose to employ. The chosen methodology should provide
conclusions that are compatible with the theory.
• Can you simplify this?
• Reducing this seemingly intimidating topic to two factors may help
simplify the concept. The theoretical framework involves a
discussion of
• (1) the research problem and
• (2) the rationale for conducting an investigation of the problem. These two
factors form the basis of a theoretical framework section of the research
proposal.

24. References
• Breakwell, G. Hammon, S., Fife-Schaw, C. & Smith, J. A. (Eds.). (2007).
Research methods in psychology (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage
Publications.
• Creswell, J. W. (2005) Educational research: Planning, conducting, and
evaluating quantitative and qualitative research (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River,
NJ: .Pearson Education, Inc.
• Creswell, J. W. (2009) Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed
methods approaches (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
• Leedy, P. D. & Ormrod, J. E. (2005). Practical research: Planning and design
(8th ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill Prentice Hall.
• Pedhauzer, E. J. & Schmelkin, L.P. (1991). Measurement, design and analysis:
An integrated approach. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates,
Publishers.

25. Sajjad Ahmad
Universiti Putra Malaysia