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 Intervening Dependent

Variables Variables 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

1
 Conceptual Framework
Factors:
Sustainable Livelihoods
Social Capital Framework (FAO, Dilts, Bartlet &
Financial Capital
Human Capital Pontius, 2001)
Natural Capital

Farmer associations form because

farmers need greater market clout
Group and need lobbying power for
Formation 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 RQ 2
Natural Capital
(Bartlett, 2002; Scoones,
1998)

Knowledge Acquisition RQ 3
(Mathias, 1996)
Group
Formation
Demographics: RQ 4
RQ 1
Ethnicity
(Shaw, 1981;
Gender Tuckman & Jenson,
Education 1977)

Land Holding
RQ = Research
(Esman & Uphoff, 1984)
Questions 1—4
 Relationships
Independent variables Dependent Variables

Factors:
RQ = Research
Social Capital (r = 0.242) Questions 1—4
Financial Capital
Human Capital (r = 0.278)
Physical Capital RQ 2
Natural Capital
(Bartlett, 2001;
Scoones, 1998)
[Knowledge Acquisition]
(Mathias, 1996) RQ 3
Group Formation
(Reasons to Join)
Demographics: [Land Rights]
RQ 4
Ethnicity RQ 1

Gender
Shaw, 1981; Tuckman
Education & Jenson, 1977)
Land Holdings

(Esman & Uphoff, 1984)

Theoretical Framework
Research Framework
or Agenda
Conceptual Framework
 FROM NON-PARTICIPATION TO ENGAGEMENT
When people do not participate in programs, their perspectives are lost
Problem and do not inform the program - nor do they benefit from programs.

People do not participate because…

The program They are not Their values They respond Their level of
does not meet included in clash with that of to internal or innovativeness
Explanations their needs the planning program planners external forces is low

Based on…
Needs are “Participation” Personal and social People possess
Congruent values a level of
identifiable and means authentic forces exist
lead to adoptive
if met, inclusion in all and exert
participation readiness
Assumptions people show up planning levels influence

Argued by…
Needs Assessment: Resistance Chain-of- Adoption and
Functionalists Empowerment Theory: Response Diffusion
Theories & *Borich *Arnstein *Quigley Theory: Theory:
Theorists *Scissons *Freire *Boshier *Cross *Rogers

Remedied through…
Epistemology: Methodology:
1. “Needs” contextualized to include values and interests Functional perspectives better
define
2. Values and interests are made explicit people’s orientation to the
“Solutions”
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 Conceptual Framework

Tech
 Conceptual Framework
Example of _____________
Type of
Tobacco
Location

Attitude toward school

Smoking
Status of Youth
Race (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

Intervening DV
variables
CV

This slide is courtesy of Rama Radhadrishna, The Pennsylvania

State University
Thank You