Page 102 - [Uma_Sekaran]_Research_methods_for_business__a_sk(BookZZ.org)

86 THE RESEARCH PROCESS

1
OBSERVATION
Broad area
of research
interest
identified
4
THEORETICAL
3 5 6 7
FRAMEWORK
PROBLEM GENERATION
DEFINITION OF SCIENTIFIC DATA COLLECTION,
Research HYPOTHESES RESEARCH ANALYSIS, AND
problem Variables clearly DESIGN INTERPRETATION
delineated identified and
labeled
2
8
PRELIMINARY
DATA GATHERING DEDUCTION
Interviewing Hypotheses
Literature survey substantiated?
Research question
answered?

No Yes

9 10 11
Report Report Managerial
Writing Presentation Decision
Making

In the previous chapter, the focus was on learning how to narrow down and
clearly define the research problem. But mere definition of the problem does not
solve it. How, then, does one proceed further? The answer is by going through the
entire process as shown in the research process model. The next two steps are des-
ignated as steps 4 and 5 indicated by the shaded portions in the figure shown. Step
4 relates to evolving a theoretical framework, and step 5 deals with deriving
testable hypotheses. In this chapter we shall discuss both topics in some depth.
You will find as you proceed in this chapter that at various places you are
instructed to work out certain exercises. Doing them at that time, before reading
further, will help you in becoming adept at formulating theoretical frameworks
in a logical manner without getting confused.

THE NEED FOR A THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

After conducting the interviews, completing a literature survey, and defining the
problem, one is ready to develop a theoretical framework. A theoretical frame-