Research Data Management in
victing.business
Agricultural Research Institutes
research ¶
2.1 Introduction
Theory guides every aspects of research, from formulation of the
research question to ope rationalization and discussion. Theories are
formulated to explain, predict and understand phenomena and in many
cases to challenge and extend existing knowledge within the limits of
critical bounding assumption (Mason and Culnan, 1995; Bernath and
Vidal, 2007). According to Kerlinger (1979), a theory is a set of
interrelated constructs (variables), definitions and propositions that
presents a systematic view of phenomenon by specifying relations
among variables, with the intent of explaining natural phenomena.
Garrison (2000) on the other hand, defined a theory as a coherent and
systematic ordering of ideas, concepts and models, with the purpose of
constructing meaning to explain, interpret and shape practice. In this
respect, a theory not only explains known facts, it also allows
researchers to make predictions of what they should observe if a theory
is true.
According to King, Keohane, and Verba (1994), there is no empirical
investigation that can be successful without theory to guide its choice of
question. Therefore, the purpose of a theory or theories in this study as
documented by May, 1993; Neuman, 2000 and Creswell, 2009 is to: a)
Give the inquiry a focus;
b) Prevent the fragmentation of knowledge by ordering;
c) Provide theoretical explanations and deeper understanding of what
is being investigated;
d) Provide tools for the interpretation of collected data.
Theoretical framework provides scientific justification for investigation by
showing that the research does not appear suddenly from “out of the
blue”; rather it is grounded in and based on scientific theory (Swanson,
, 2013). Furthermore, the theoretical framework introduces and describes
the theory that explains why the research problem in this study exists
and indicates theories and analytic models that are relevant to the
research problem being investigated. Sekaran (2003) defines a
theoretical framework as a conceptual model of how one theorizes or
makes logical sense of the relationships among several factors that have
been identified as important to a problem. The purpose of a theoretical
framework is to make research findings meaningful and generalisable
thus stimulating research and the extension of knowledge by providing
both direction and impetus (Polit and Beck, 2004).
The University of Southern California (2016) outlines the following
motivations for using theoretical framework:
1. Connects the researcher to existing knowledge. Guided by a
relevant theory, the researcher is given a basis for hypothesis and
choice of research methods;
2. Helps the researcher identify the limits to those generalizations. A
theoretical framework specifies which key variables influence a
phenomenon of interest and highlights the need to examine how
those key variables might differ and under what circumstances;
3. Articulate the theoretical assumptions of a research study by
forcing the researcher to address questions of why and how;
4. Provides an explicit statement of theoretical assumptions to permit
the researcher to evaluate them critically.
Theoretical framework should fit its purpose in order for it to effectively
inform an inquiry.
Therefore, the development of a theoretical framework to guide
researcher’s research is the central piece in the research puzzle this
explains why Ennis (1999; and Maxwell, 2013) suggests that the most
critical part of the research plan is the theoretical framework.
2.2 Theories underpinning the study
The purpose of this study is to examine Research Data Management
(RDM) practices in Kenya’s agricultural research institutes with the view
victing.business
Agricultural Research Institutes
research ¶
2.1 Introduction
Theory guides every aspects of research, from formulation of the
research question to ope rationalization and discussion. Theories are
formulated to explain, predict and understand phenomena and in many
cases to challenge and extend existing knowledge within the limits of
critical bounding assumption (Mason and Culnan, 1995; Bernath and
Vidal, 2007). According to Kerlinger (1979), a theory is a set of
interrelated constructs (variables), definitions and propositions that
presents a systematic view of phenomenon by specifying relations
among variables, with the intent of explaining natural phenomena.
Garrison (2000) on the other hand, defined a theory as a coherent and
systematic ordering of ideas, concepts and models, with the purpose of
constructing meaning to explain, interpret and shape practice. In this
respect, a theory not only explains known facts, it also allows
researchers to make predictions of what they should observe if a theory
is true.
According to King, Keohane, and Verba (1994), there is no empirical
investigation that can be successful without theory to guide its choice of
question. Therefore, the purpose of a theory or theories in this study as
documented by May, 1993; Neuman, 2000 and Creswell, 2009 is to: a)
Give the inquiry a focus;
b) Prevent the fragmentation of knowledge by ordering;
c) Provide theoretical explanations and deeper understanding of what
is being investigated;
d) Provide tools for the interpretation of collected data.
Theoretical framework provides scientific justification for investigation by
showing that the research does not appear suddenly from “out of the
blue”; rather it is grounded in and based on scientific theory (Swanson,
, 2013). Furthermore, the theoretical framework introduces and describes
the theory that explains why the research problem in this study exists
and indicates theories and analytic models that are relevant to the
research problem being investigated. Sekaran (2003) defines a
theoretical framework as a conceptual model of how one theorizes or
makes logical sense of the relationships among several factors that have
been identified as important to a problem. The purpose of a theoretical
framework is to make research findings meaningful and generalisable
thus stimulating research and the extension of knowledge by providing
both direction and impetus (Polit and Beck, 2004).
The University of Southern California (2016) outlines the following
motivations for using theoretical framework:
1. Connects the researcher to existing knowledge. Guided by a
relevant theory, the researcher is given a basis for hypothesis and
choice of research methods;
2. Helps the researcher identify the limits to those generalizations. A
theoretical framework specifies which key variables influence a
phenomenon of interest and highlights the need to examine how
those key variables might differ and under what circumstances;
3. Articulate the theoretical assumptions of a research study by
forcing the researcher to address questions of why and how;
4. Provides an explicit statement of theoretical assumptions to permit
the researcher to evaluate them critically.
Theoretical framework should fit its purpose in order for it to effectively
inform an inquiry.
Therefore, the development of a theoretical framework to guide
researcher’s research is the central piece in the research puzzle this
explains why Ennis (1999; and Maxwell, 2013) suggests that the most
critical part of the research plan is the theoretical framework.
2.2 Theories underpinning the study
The purpose of this study is to examine Research Data Management
(RDM) practices in Kenya’s agricultural research institutes with the view
