7.1 Theoretical FrameworkOverview: Rather than writing a full-length literature review for your topic, you will practice developing your theoretical framework for your mock dissertation topic in this assignment and then develop your literature review funnel for assignment 7.2.
The purpose of the theoretical framework is to tie the dissertation together. As the researcher, you should approach the proposed research from a theory or set of theories that provide the backdrop for the work (researchers do not create theory; they use established theory in which to embed their work).
This section should describe how this study will relate to existing theories and discuss how the methodology being used in the study links to those theories
The theoretical framework justifies the methods you plan to use for conducting the study and presents how this research will contribute to the body of knowledge and/or practice. Further, it describes the context within which to locate the intended project and suggests why doing such a study is worthwhile.
Directions:
Review the rubric and examples to make sure you understand the expectations of this assignment.
Sample Theoretical Framework
Rubric for 7.1 x
Develop a 1 page (more is fine) theoretical framework for your mock dissertation topic. Consider (but do NOT directly answer) the following questions when you write your theoretical framework:
Is the theoretical foundation strong?
Are the theoretical sources apparent?
Are they appropriate for the topic?
Do they need further explanation?
Submit your theoretical framework to the submission box.
Directions:
View the rubric and examples to make sure you understand the expectations of this assignment.
7.2 Examples
Rubric for 7.2 x
View this 3 Ways to Structure Your Literature Video to review organizational methods.
Research your topic to find the logical starting point to your topic. Then, write your literature review funnel.
Upload your literature review funnel to the submission box.
Sample problem statement and research questions
Your problem statement, research questions and literature review will serve as the basis for preparing
your theoretical framework.
Company X is struggling with the problem that many online customers do not return to make
subsequent purchases. Management wants to increase customer loyalty and believes that
improved customer satisfaction will play a major role in achieving this goal.
To investigate this problem, you have identified the following problem statement, objective, and
research questions:
Problem: Many online customers do not return to make subsequent purchases.
Objective: To increase customer loyalty and thereby generate more revenue.
Research question: ‘How can the satisfaction of company X’s online customers be improved
in order to increase customer loyalty?’
Sub-Questions:
1. ‘What is the relationship between customer loyalty and customer satisfaction?’
2. ‘How satisfied and loyal are company X’s online customers currently?’
3. ‘What factors affect the satisfaction and loyalty of company X’s online customers?’
As the concepts of “loyalty” and “customer satisfaction” play a major role in the investigation and will
later be measured, they are essential concepts to define within the theoretical framework.
Sample theoretical framework
Below is a (simplified) example of how you can describe and compare definitions and theories. In this
example, we focus on the concept of ‘customer satisfaction.’
2.1 Customer satisfaction
Thomassen (2003, p. 69) defines customer satisfaction as “the perception of the customer as a
result of consciously or unconsciously comparing their experiences with their expectations.”
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https://www.scribbr.com/dissertation/theoretical-framework/
Dr. Jaocb Bryant
What your paper should sound like
Dr. Jaocb Bryant
Background
Kotler & Keller (2008, p. 80) build on this definition, stating that customer satisfaction is
determined by “the degree to which someone is happy or disappointed with the observed
performance of a product in relation to his or her expectations.” Performance that is below
expectations leads to a dissatisfied customer, while performance that satisfies expectations
produces satisfied customers. Expectations being exceeded leads to a “very satisfied or even
pleasantly surprised customer” (Kotler & Keller, 2003, p. 80).
The definition of Zeithaml and Bitner (2003, p. 86) is slightly different from that of Thomassen:
“Satisfaction is the consumer fulfillment response. It is a judgement that a product or service
feature, or the product of service itself, provides a pleasurable level of consumption-related
fulfillment.” Zeithaml and Bitner’s emphasis is thus on obtaining a certain satisfaction in relation
to purchasing.
Thomassen’s definition is the most relevant to the aims of this study, given the emphasis it
places on unconscious perception. Although Zeithaml and Bitner, like Thomassen, say that
customer satisfaction is a reaction to the experience gained, there is no distinction between
conscious and unconscious comparisons in their definition. Company X claims in its mission
statement that it wants to sell not only a product, but also a feeling; as a result, unconscious
comparison will play an important role in the satisfaction of its customers. Thomassen’s
definition is therefore more relevant to the current study.
Thomassen’s Customer Satisfaction Model
According to Thomassen, both the so-called value proposition and other influences have an
impact on final customer satisfaction. In his satisfaction model (Fig. 1), Thomassen shows that
word-of-mouth, personal needs, past experiences, and marketing and public relations
determine customers’ needs and expectations. These factors are compared to their
experiences, and this comparison between expectations and experiences determines a
customer’s satisfaction level. Thomassen’s model is important for this study: it allows us to
determine both the extent to which company X’s customers are satisfied and where
improvements can be made.
Fig. 1: Customer satisfaction creation (Thomassen, 2007, p.30).
Dr. Jaocb Bryant
Models are helpful but not required
LiteratureReview Funnel
Research Question: Is there a significant difference between the level of Response to Intervention
and the achievement level of middle school mathematics students on the Tennessee
Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) test in a semi-rural school system in northeast
Tennessee?
1. Introduction
2. Shift in Accountability for Education
a. A Nation at Risk
b. No Child Left Behind
c. Race to the Top
d. Tennessee’s First to the Top
3. Theoretical Framework
a. Mastery Learning
b. Individualized Instruction
4. Methods for Testing Accountability
a. Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program
b. Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System
5. Response to Intervention
a. History
b. Diagnostic Screeners (STAR testing)
c. Application of intervention
d. Increasing Achievement Gap
6. Summary
Dr. Jaocb Bryant
Meets Expectations – LOW
Branham’s Research Funnel- Week 6
Research Question:
What are the correlations between effective leadership and student
achievement?
● Overview of Leadership & Role of Leader (definitions/expectations over the past 100 years)
○ 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965 brings education to the
forefront
○ 1980’s “A Nation at Risk” (Regan) – Additional Accountability
○ 2002+ “The No Child Left Behind Act – Assessment & Accountability
○ 2010+ “Race to the Top” (Obama) – College/Career Readiness & Accountability
Narrow Categories: Modern days
● How did these directives from the federal government change education in Virginia?
● What was their impact on VA leaders? Students?
● Did these change how principals led? Supported instruction? Supported teachers? Supported
students?
Specific Categories: Recent Days
● 1980+ – High stakes testing – Virginia Standards of Learning (rigor of tests increased in 1995;
testing began in 1998)
● 2002+ – Equitable access for students – change in accountability for school leaders and
teachers (NCLB)
● 2006+ – Board of Education (Gov Kaine)- Included graduation as an accountability factor for
school accreditation
● 2009+ – Board shifts to college/career-ready Math, Science, Social Studies SOLs (response to
“Race to the Top”)
Most Specific and Similar Studies:
Effects of leadership on student achievement
● What are the causes of effective leadership in general?
● What are the causes of student achievement? How does leadership affect student
achievement?
Dr. Jaocb Bryant
Meets Expectations – High
Dr. Jaocb Bryant
Research Funnel
Research Question:
What causes a data breach and how financial organizations can protect themselves from a breach
Background or Distantly Related Work: Early Ages
● 1991 – Privacy in the information economy: A fortress or frontier for individual rights
● 1998 – Warming up to Credit Freeze Laws: The Case of Utah
● 1999 – The death of privacy
● 2003 – Personal Finance
● 2003 – Privacy Protection for Customer Financial Information
Narrow Categories that are closer to the work you are doing: Modern days
● Data breaches and identity theft: When is mandatory disclosure optimal?
● The data game: Learning to love the state-based approach to data breach notification law
● Secure my data or pay the price: Consumer remedy for the negligent enablement of data breach
● Market price effects of data security breaches
Specific Categories: Recent Days
● The target and other financial data breaches: Frequently asked questions
● The impact of repeated data breach events on organizations’ market value
● Data breach trends in the United States
● Corporate Directors’ and Officers’ Cybersecurity Standard of Care: The Yahoo Data Breach
● Market level consequences of information breach and effectiveness of crisis recoveries
Most Specific and Similar Studies:
● Market level consequences of information breach and effectiveness of crisis recoveries
● Improving smartphone permission access disclosures
Dr. Jaocb Bryant
Exceeds Expectations
Literature Review Funnel
Broad Territory- Why the need for grading practices?
Sub Territory- What is SBG?
Build a Niche- Benefits and Draw backs of SBG
Occupy the Niche- Why the need for the change?
Non-academic factors
Puzzle- Traditional Grading
How to effective implement SBG?
What tools and resources are needed for SBG?
Proficiency scales, 4DX goal setting, common assessments,
Research Question- How has the change from traditional grading methods to standards based
grading affected Middle School students?
Possible Reference sources:
Carberry, A.R., Siniawski M.T, and Dionisio J. D. N., (2012).”Standards-based grading:
Preliminary studies to quantify changes in affective and cognitive student behaviors,”
2012 Frontiers in Education Conference Proceedings, Seattle, WA, pp. 1-5
Eccles, J.S. 2005.”Subjective task value and the Eccles et al. model of achievement-related
Choices.” In Elliot and Dweck (eds.). The Handbook of Competence and Motivation.
New York, NY: Guilford Press, pp. 105-121
Townsley, M. (2019). Considering Standards-Based Grading: Challenges for Secondary School
Leaders. Journal of School Administration Research and Development, 4(1), 35–38.
Wormeli, R. (2011). Redos and retakes done right. Educational Leadership, 69(3), 22-26.
Dr. Jaocb Bryant
Approaches Expectations – High
Dr. Jaocb Bryant
Good reference list but lack of detail in actual funnel
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