Formulating preliminary theoretical framework for dissertation proposal - class exercise

Formulating preliminary theoretical framework for dissertation proposal - class exercise {Applied Research Methods}

Step 1: Write down 1 to 2 main concerns that you would like to address/ investigate for your dissertation project. Identify one topic that you consider to be associated with your main concern(s).


Step 2: conduct a cognitive mapping-based literature review on a chosen topic. Examples are

1. New Product Development
2. Teamwork
3. Outsourcing
4. Digitalization


Step 3. With reference to your specific concern(s) [re: step 1], select about 8-9 ideas and viewpoints from the cognitive map and write them down on a piece of paper.

Step 4. In addition write down 3-6 own ideas and viewpoints based on your personal understanding and experience on the piece of paper.

Step 5. Try to group the ideas into some logical categories and relate the ideas with arrows**** to make up a theoretical framework. Construct the theoretical framework in a way that you consider to support a more complicated understanding of your concern(s) [step 1] and that enable  you to explain, predict, evaluate, and address your concern(s).



**** the arrows could represent cause-effect relations or correlations; or the arrows could represent task dependency (e.g. finish to start) between two variables (i.e. ideas).