Understanding Theoretical Frameworks and Variables in Research

Theoretical Framework

Represents your beliefs on how variables/concepts/etc. are related to each other.

Variables

The elements you're going to study in your research.

Model

The relationships among the variables in your theoretical framework.

Theory

The explanation of why the relationships among variables make sense.

Independent Variable

A thing that you think causes something else to happen.

Dependent Variable

A thing that you think is caused by something else (i.e., the outcome).

Moderator Variable

A thing that you think impacts how strong an effect is.

Mediator Variable

A thing that you think explains why something causes something else.

Variable Relationships

Specifies all variable relationships, including those between independent and dependent variables.

Path Diagram

A tool for visualizing all variable relationships in a theoretical framework.

Principle of Parsimony

The simplest model that adequately explains the thing you're studying is often the best model.

Hypothesis

A statement that captures what it is you intend to test in your data.

Logical Consistency

The hypothesis should make sense.

Testability

The hypothesis should be something we can test.

Clarity

The hypothesis should be stated in clear and simple terms.

Directionality

The hypothesis should state if each relation is negative or positive.

Focus

The hypothesis should be about a single variable relationship.