RCH Discussion Board

BUS 8304, The Doctoral Research Study Journey 1

Course Learning Outcomes for Unit IV Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. Examine the components required to write a doctoral research study/dissertation. 1.1 Explain theories/models appropriate for a certain subject area. 1.2 Assess how theories/models support a study in a certain subject area.

4. Differentiate qualitative and quantitative research methods.

4.1 Discuss theories/models appropriate for a qualitative research method. 4.2 Discuss theories/models appropriate for a quantitative research method.

Course/Unit Learning Outcomes

Learning Activity

1.1, 1.2, 4.1, 4.2 Unit Lesson Chapter 8 Unit IV Essay

Required Unit Resources Chapter 8: Writing the Introduction

Unit Lesson At this point, we have discussed potential business problems, and you have all of the information needed to start your literature review. If you have not started pulling, reading, and categorizing articles for your doctoral study/dissertation, it is recommended that you start now! In this unit, we will discuss theoretical/conceptual frameworks.

Theoretical/Conceptual Framework

(Herreid, n.d.)

UNIT IV STUDY GUIDE

The Theoretical/Conceptual Framework

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The frameworks, what they are, and how they are used can be confusing for students. The framework for your study is like the foundation of a house. You must have a strong foundation to have a rock-solid structure for your house. To know how we will build the rest of the house, we must know its foundation. Theoretical frameworks are for quantitative studies. Conceptual frameworks are for qualitative studies. We will learn about both in this unit lesson. Also, note that frameworks can be made up of theories or models. Some scholars say that the conceptual or theoretical framework is the lens by which you can look at the research problem. According to Roberts and Hyatt (2019), it “narrows your field of vision, thus helping you limit the scope of your study” (p. 104). Imagine that your study is about leadership. Which leadership theory helps narrow the lens or focus of your study? We cannot adequately consider all leadership theories, can we? By which lens should we study leadership? Would it be transformational leadership, servant leadership, or situational leadership? These leadership theories are based on different ideas about leadership. Thus, we must determine which is the best one to narrow the study’s focus or scope. Quantitative Studies For quantitative studies, determining the theoretical framework is fairly easy. Quantitative studies usually test hypotheses. Hypotheses are built based on the variables in the research question. The following is a sample research question and the associated hypotheses for a quantitative correlational study.

• RQ1: What is the relationship between leadership style, resilience, and job satisfaction for nurses in long-term care facilities?

• H1o: There is no significant relationship between leadership style, resilience, and job satisfaction for nurses in long-term care facilities.

• H1a: There is a significant relationship between leadership style, resilience, and job satisfaction for nurses in long-term care facilities.

The dependent variable is job satisfaction. The independent variables are leadership style and resilience. For this research question, we are theorizing that a nurse’s job satisfaction is associated with their perceptions of their supervisor’s leadership style and their own level of resilience. To measure job satisfaction (i.e., the dependent variable), we might use Spector’s Job Satisfaction Survey (Spector, 1985). However, for our theoretical framework, we would use theories or models based on the independent variables. For example, we could use the full-range of transformational leadership model (transformational versus transactional versus laissez-faire leadership) to measure leadership styles (Bass & Avolio, 1990). The survey instrument is called the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire 5X (MLQ 5X). To measure resilience, we use the resilience theory based on the Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA; Morote et al., 2017). Thus, we can say that our theoretical framework is based on the full range of transformational leadership model and resilience theory. Qualitative Studies For qualitative studies, determining an appropriate conceptual framework is a little more difficult. The idea is still the same, but you must determine the best lens based on the phenomenon you are exploring. For example, imagine that your qualitative study is about small businesses and their lack of resources to secure systems from cybersecurity threats. What type of theory or model is the appropriate lens for this problem?

• What about using a leadership theory? No, the study is not about leadership, is it?

• What about using a motivation theory? No, again, the study is not about motivating employees.

• What about using general systems theory? General systems theory is the study of systems and how they relate and interrelate. Does that sound like a good lens for the problem? It might be. You would have to dig deeper to fully understand the theory and its components to be able to make an informed decision to use this theory.

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• What about routine activity theory (RAT)? RAT is a theory about crime and crime prevention using an accessible target, absence of a guardian, and the existence of a motivated criminal. Think about the accessible target component. Would a small business with limited resources be considered an accessible target? This theory may be a contender!

What other subjects are involved in your business problem? What about small business management theories? What about resource dependency theory? Would either of these ideas work? They might. You must dig deeper and research these theories or models to see how well they support your business problem.

Where to Begin Again, the theories used in a quantitative study are based on the independent variables. However, deciding on a theory or model for your qualitative study can be an arduous process. Start by researching other empirical research papers and dissertations where the topic area is similar to yours. What theories did they use in their research? Some journal articles will not discuss theory, but many will. While reading an article, if you see a theory or model that sounds like it might work, research it. What is the main premise? What are the components, and how do they fit into the overall theory or model? Doing the literature research is the only way you will determine if it is appropriate for your study. An excellent source for potential theories or models is published dissertations. Dissertations always use some sort of theory or model as a foundation or framework. It is suggested that you read dissertations in your subject area, noting what theoretical or conceptual framework was used. How did the author use it to support their research? You can always use those frameworks as a starting point for other current research as well. Also, remember that one or two theories or models will work for your study. If you use more than two theories or models, your study may become overly complicated.

References Bass, B. M., & Avolio, B. J. (1990). The multifactor leadership questionnaire. Consulting Psychologists Press. Herreid, M. (n.d.). ID 11096003 [Photograph]. Dreamstime. https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photos-new-

construction-foundation-walls-concrete-blocks-image11096003 Morote, R., Hjemdal, O., Martinez Uribe, P., & Corveleyn, J. (2017). Psychometric properties of the Resilience

Scale for Adults (RSA) and its relationship with life-stress, anxiety and depression in a Hispanic Latin- American community sample. PLoS ONE, 12(11), e0187954. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0187954

Roberts, C., & Hyatt, L. (2019). The dissertation journey: A practical and comprehensive guide to planning,

writing, and defending your dissertation (3rd ed.). Corwin. https://online.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781506373331

Spector, P. E. (1985, December 1). Measurement of human service staff satisfaction: Development of the job

satisfaction survey. American Journal of Community Psychology, 13(6), 693–713. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00929796

Suggested Unit Resources Chapter 7 in your eTextbook offers insight into how you can write in a more scholarly manner. Chapter 7 also provides guidelines for successful academic writing. Chapter 7: Mastering the Academic Style

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Learning Activities (Nongraded) Nongraded Learning Activities are provided to aid students in their course of study. You do not have to submit them. If you have questions, contact your instructor for further guidance and information. Think back to your previous courses. What grammar or writing feedback did you receive? What are your weak areas? We all have them. If you are not sure, contact the CSU DBA writing coach for an assessment. Then, using Chapter 7 in your eTextbook, write a one-page personal guide that provides a comparison of potential writing mistakes versus the corrected method.