an introduction to research

1. Please open the packet
to the first page only.
That means do not go
past the article by
Russell L. Ackoff.

2. Conceptual/Theoretical Frameworks
Operational Frameworks
Jack Elliot
Interim Assistant Dean
Office of Academic Programs
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Professor Agricultural Education
The University of Arizona

3. An operational

4. Delineate among:
• Theoretical Frameworks
• Conceptual Frameworks
• Operational Frameworks

5. Frameworks
• Limit scope of inquiry
• Convey research importance
to audiences

6. Qualitative
• Learn from the participants
• Framework locations
•Orientation – chapter 1
•Theory – chapter 2
•Compare – chapter 5

7. Quantitative Framework
Essentials
•Visually tells your story
(research) – the big picture
•Identifies literature review
categories
•Directs your objectives

8. Common Framework
Components
• Dependent variable/primary
characteristic
• Variables of influence or
characteristics of influence
• Intervening, Moderating and
Control variables or characteristics

9. Relationship Among Five Types of
Variables
Variables of
Influence
Moderator
Variables
Intervening
Variables
Dependent
Variables
Control
Variables
Independent Variables Dependent Variables
This slide is courtesy of Rama Radhadrishna, The Pennsylvania
State University

10. Framework Components
•Relationships (anticipated
and predicted [including
direction] from the review
of literature) among and
between variables and/or
characteristics

11. Framework Essentials
•Establishes your anticipated
analyses (operational
framework)
•Manages your research design
•Directs your instrument
development

12. Framework
A framework is a model of
how one theorizes or makes
logical sense of the
relationships among several
factors that have been
identified as important to the
problem. (Sekaran, 2001)
This slide is courtesy of Rama Radhadrishna, The Pennsylvania State University

13. Quantitative Framework Locations
• Theoretical/Conceptual - end of
Chapter 2
•A synthesis section explains the
relationships and the categories
•A transition section leads to. . .
• Operational Framework
•Beginning of Chapter 3
•Tied to procedures/methodologies

18. Conceptual Framework Operational Framework

19. operational
1
2
3 4

20. Conceptual Framework
Factors:
Social Capital
Financial Capital
Human Capital
Natural Capital
Group
Formation
Farmer associations form because
farmers need greater market clout
and need lobbying power for
government service (FAO, 1998)
Sustainable Livelihoods
Framework (FAO, Dilts, Bartlet &
Pontius, 2001)
The next 4 slides are courtesy of Rama Radhadrishna & Cliff
Bonzo, The Pennsylvania State University

21. Research Questions
1. What is the demographic profile of the participants?
2. What are the group formation factors in the
development of IPM farmers’ associations?
3. To what extent does knowledge acquisition impact
group formation?
4. What demographic characteristics are related to
group formation?

22. Demographics:
Ethnicity
Gender
Education
Land Holding
(Esman & Uphoff, 1984)
Group
Formation
(Shaw, 1981;
Tuckman & Jenson,
1977)
RQ 1
RQ 4
Factors:
Social Capital
Financial Capital
Human Capital
Natural Capital
(Bartlett, 2002; Scoones,
1998)
Knowledge Acquisition
(Mathias, 1996)
RQ = Research
Questions 1—4
RQ 2
RQ 3
Independent variables Dependent Variable
Operational Framework

23. Independent variables Dependent Variables
Demographics:
Ethnicity
Gender
Education
Land Holdings
(Esman & Uphoff, 1984)
Group Formation
(Reasons to Join)
[Land Rights]
Shaw, 1981; Tuckman
& Jenson, 1977)
RQ 1
RQ 4
RQ 3
Factors:
Social Capital (r = 0.242)
Financial Capital
Human Capital (r = 0.278)
Physical Capital
Natural Capital
(Bartlett, 2001;
Scoones, 1998)
[Knowledge Acquisition]
(Mathias, 1996)
RQ = Research
Questions 1—4
RQ 2
Relationships

24. Theoretical Framework

25. Research Framework
or Agenda

27. Conceptual Framework

28. The program They are not
does not meet included in
their needs the planning
Their values
clash with that of
program planners
Their level of
innovativeness
is low
FROM NON-PARTICIPATION TO ENGAGEMENT
When people do not participate in programs, their perspectives are lost
and do not inform the program - nor do they benefit from programs.
People do not participate because…
Based on…
Argued by…
Remedied through…
Resulting in…
Epistemology: Methodology:
1. “Needs” contextualized to include values and interests Functional perspectives better define
2. Values and interests are made explicit people’s orientation to the program
Points of divergence and convergence in people’s functional perspectives are
identified, resulting in the identification of:
Points of leverage to increase people’s participation in programs
Needs are “Participation”
identifiable and means authentic
if met, inclusion in all
people show up planning levels
Needs Assessment:
Functionalists Empowerment
*Borich *Arnstein
*Scissons *Freire
Congruent values
lead to
participation
Resistance
Theory:
*Quigley
*Boshier
They respond
to internal or
external forces
Personal and social
forces exist
and exert
influence
Chain-of-
Response
Theory:
*Cross
People possess
a level of
adoptive
readiness
Adoption and
Diffusion
Theory:
*Rogers
Problem
Explanations
Assumptions
Theories &
Theorists
“Solutions”
Result

30. Texas
Tech
Conceptual Framework

32. Example of _____________ Framework
Location
Race
Attitude toward school
Smoking
Status of Youth
(smoker vs.
non-smoker)
After HS plans
GPA
Type of
Tobacco
The next 3 slides are courtesy of Rama Radhadrishna, The Pennsylvania State University
Conceptual

33. Example of ____________ Framework
Sex-role stereotyping
Advancement
of women to
the top
Access to information
(Sekaran, 2001)
Operational

34. Example of ______________ Framework
Hygiene factors
(Job dissatisfaction)
Job satisfaction
of faculty
Motivator factors
(Job satisfaction)
Other variables
(Bowen and Radhakrishna study)
Operational

35. An operational

36. Framework Creation
IV
CV
MV
Intervening
variables
DV
Title
This slide is courtesy of Rama Radhadrishna, The Pennsylvania
State University
< 12 words; no articles & prepositions; debate each word

37. Thank You