Extend or constructively challenge your colleagues’ work.

Post an analysis of the role of theory within the context of your quantitative doctoral business research. In your analysis, do the following:

· Describe the central role theory plays in deductive reasoning when conducting quantitative business research.

· Explain the critical relationship between the theory, specific business problem, purpose statement, and research question for a DBA applied Doctoral Study.

· Provide at least one example from your own DBA doctoral research that illustrates the impact of theory on the development of an applied Doctoral Study.

Be sure to support your work with a minimum of two specific citations from this week’s Learning Resources and at least one additional scholarly source.

 

 

 

Juan

 

Describe the central role theory plays in deductive reasoning when conducting quantitative business research.

According to Dr. Taylor (Laureate Education Producer, 2016h) in quantitative studies, theories provide opportunities for researchers to explore a phenomenon and measure the underlying construct. Saunders, Lewis, and Thornhill (2015) noted that researchers test and draw conclusions using theories as a framework for their studies. Hence, theories are the premises that business researchers utilize to validate causal relationships. As an example, if a company needs to increase sales to reach quarterly sales targets, a researcher could measure the number of sales per employee per month. The approach could reveal how much more sales each employee would have to make to meet the quarterly sales goal.

 

Explain the critical relationship between the theory, specific business problem, purpose statement, and research question for a DBA applied Doctoral Study.

            As described in Walden University DBA doctoral handbook (2019), researchers use a theoretical framework in their DBA doctoral study to identify variables which could be manipulated to solve an existent business problem. The approach facilitates the discovery process necessary to identify how businesses operate, what is causing not to achieve specific organizational goals, and how to overcome the shortfall. Accordingly, Saunders et al. (2015) noted that theories helped researchers formulate research questions, select variables, and evaluate the chosen topic of research from a known and accepted proposition. Lastly, in establishing a relationship between a theory and a DBA doctoral study, the researcher increases the reliability and validity of the research.

 

Provide at least one example from your own DBA doctoral research that illustrates the impact of theory on the development of an applied Doctoral Study.

As an example, in selecting a researchable business problem my approach was to identify existent theories which describe a relationship between business performance and supply chain management. The effort led to the discovery of several theories which became the basis for my specific business problem, purpose statement and research question. I selected just in time (JIT) and the theory of constraints.

 

References

 

Laureate Education (Producer). (2016h). Theoretical/conceptual framework [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Saunders, M. N. K., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2015). Research methods for business students (7th ed.). Essex, England: Pearson Education Unlimited

Walden University. (2019). DBA doctoral study rubric and research handbook. Available from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/researchcenter/osra.dba

 

 

 

Dustin

 

Deductive Reasoning

Saunders, Lewis, and Thornhill (2015), described deductive reasoning in a six-step process, where the researcher would develop an aspect, infer a testable recommendation, ensure what is being examined makes since, culminate the information regarding the variables, and examine the results for failure or acceptance.  The ability to use this deductive reasoning within quantitative approaches, is reasonable, as the researcher would follow each of these steps to reach an outcome, defined in steps five or six, which signifies if it is conclusive or non-conclusive/failed.  At the point of failure or being found inconclusive, the approach, must either be accepted as a failure or modified in some manner and retested.

Relationship

            The relationship between the theory, specific business problem, purpose statement, moreover, the research question is essential to ensure it conveys a clear and concise understanding to the reader of what is discussed within the research study.  The Walden University Research Handbook (2019), gives details for ensuring the constancy of the specific business problem, purpose statement, and research question, the theory is established, to ensure it further aligns within the study also.  This is proven by ensuring the appropriate type of research question is asked, which allows for the appropriate methodology to be pursued.

Example

In the specific problem statement of some cultural heritage organization, executive leadership teams may not understand the best-practices to strategically align revenue targets with CSR goals; it is specified the theory being examined is strategic alignment and CSR, which are known theorems.  These theorems, allow for the examination, which is then translated within the purpose statement, which allows for the continuance of detailing the type of research methodology being pursued.

 

References

Saunders, M. N. K., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2015). Research methods for business students (7th ed.). Essex, England: Pearson Education Limited.

Walden University. (2019). DBA doctoral study rubric and research handbook. Retrieved from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/researchcenter/osra/dba