Please open the packet
to the first page only.
That means do not go
past the article by
Russell L. Ackoff.
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
An operational
Delineate among:
• Theoretical Frameworks
• Conceptual Frameworks
• Operational Frameworks
Frameworks
• Limit scope of inquiry
• Convey research importance
to audiences
Qualitative
• Learn from the participants
• Framework locations
• Orientation – chapter 1
• Theory – chapter 2
• Compare – chapter 5
Quantitative Framework
Essentials
• Visually tells your story
(research) – the big picture
• Identifies literature review
categories
• Directs your objectives
Common Framework
Components
• Dependent variable/primary
characteristic
• Variables of influence or
characteristics of influence
• Intervening, Moderating and
Control variables or characteristics
Relationship Among Five Types of
Variables
Independent Variables
Dependent Variables
Variables of
Influence
Moderator
Variables
Intervening
Variables
Dependent
Variables
Control
Variables
This slide is courtesy of Rama Radhadrishna, The Pennsylvania
State University
Framework Components
• Relationships (anticipated
and predicted [including
direction] from the review
of literature) among and
between variables and/or
characteristics
Framework Essentials
• Establishes your anticipated
analyses (operational
framework)
• Manages your research design
• Directs your instrument
development
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
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
Conceptual Framework
Operational Framework
operational
3
4
2
1
Conceptual Framework
Factors:
Social Capital
Financial Capital
Human Capital
Natural Capital
Group
Formation
Sustainable Livelihoods
Framework (FAO, Dilts, Bartlet &
Pontius, 2001)
Farmer associations form because
farmers need greater market clout
and need lobbying power for
government service (FAO, 1998)
The next 4 slides are courtesy of Rama Radhadrishna & Cliff
Bonzo, The Pennsylvania State University
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?
Operational Framework
Independent variables
Dependent Variable
Factors:
Social Capital
Financial Capital
Human Capital
Natural Capital
RQ 2
(Bartlett, 2002; Scoones,
1998)
Knowledge Acquisition
(Mathias, 1996)
RQ 3
Group
Formation
RQ 4
Demographics:
RQ 1
Ethnicity
Gender
Education
Land Holding
(Esman & Uphoff, 1984)
(Shaw, 1981;
Tuckman & Jenson,
1977)
RQ = Research
Questions 1—4
Relationships
Independent variables
Dependent Variables
Factors:
RQ = Research
Questions 1—4
Social Capital (r = 0.242)
Financial Capital
Human Capital (r = 0.278)
Physical Capital
Natural Capital
RQ 2
(Bartlett, 2001;
Scoones, 1998)
[Knowledge Acquisition]
(Mathias, 1996)
RQ 3
(Reasons to Join)
[Land Rights]
Demographics:
Ethnicity
Gender
Group Formation
RQ 1
Education
Land Holdings
(Esman & Uphoff, 1984)
RQ 4
Shaw, 1981; Tuckman
& Jenson, 1977)
Theoretical Framework
Research Framework
or Agenda
Conceptual Framework
FROM NON-PARTICIPATION TO ENGAGEMENT
Problem
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…
The program
Explanations
They are not
included in
the planning
does not meet
their needs
Their values
clash with that of
program planners
They respond
to internal or
external forces
Their level of
innovativeness
is low
Personal and social
forces exist
and exert
influence
People possess
a level of
adoptive
readiness
Chain-ofResponse
Theory:
*Cross
Adoption and
Diffusion
Theory:
*Rogers
Based on…
Needs are
Assumptions
identifiable and
if met,
people show up
“Participation”
means authentic
inclusion in all
planning levels
Congruent values
lead to
participation
Argued by…
Theories &
Theorists
Needs Assessment:
Functionalists
Empowerment
*Borich
*Arnstein
*Scissons
*Freire
Resistance
Theory:
*Quigley
*Boshier
Remedied through…
“Solutions”
Epistemology:
1. “Needs” contextualized to include values and interests
2. Values and interests are made explicit
Methodology:
Functional perspectives better define
people’s orientation to the program
Resulting in…
Points of divergence and convergence in people’s functional perspectives are
identified, resulting in the identification of:
Result
Points of leverage to increase people’s participation in programs
Texas
Tech
Conceptual Framework
Conceptual Framework
Example of _____________
Location
Type of
Tobacco
Attitude toward school
Race
Smoking
Status of Youth
(smoker vs.
non-smoker)
After HS plans
GPA
The next 3 slides are courtesy of Rama Radhadrishna, The Pennsylvania State University
Operational Framework
Example of ____________
Sex-role stereotyping
Advancement
of women to
the top
Access to information
(Sekaran, 2001)
Operational Framework
Example of ______________
Hygiene factors
(Job dissatisfaction)
Other variables
Job satisfaction
of faculty
Motivator factors
(Job satisfaction)
(Bowen and Radhakrishna study)
An operational
Framework Creation
Title
< 12 words; no articles & prepositions; debate each word
IV
MV
CV
Intervening
variables
DV
This slide is courtesy of Rama Radhadrishna, The Pennsylvania
State University
Thank You