No leader is a leader in his own right


By Prof Dr Sohail Ansari   “We have not created the Heavens and the Earth and whatever is between them in sport. We have not created them but for a serious end: but the greater part of them understands it not’ (44:38-39)
    Leader is a leader but not in his own right
·        Almost every leader who claims to be a leader in his own right has hitched a free ride on the rising star of now has-been.
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Frame of reference
ˌ A set of criteria or stated values in relation to which measurements or judgements can be made.
"the observer interprets what he sees in terms of his own cultural frame of reference"
 a set of ideas, conditions, or assumptions that determine how something will be approached, perceived, or understood <a Marxian frame of reference>

Theory
1.   a supposition or a system of ideas intended to explain something, especially one based on general principles independent of the thing to be explained.

 

"Theories represent tentative solutions to problems." A theory is a generalization about a phenomenon, an explanation of how or why something occurs. Indeed, any statments that explain what is measured or described--any general statements about cause or effect--are theory based, at least implicitly.

Definition of theory

plural 

theories

1.  1:  the analysis of a set of facts in their relation to one another
2.  a :  a belief, policy, or procedure proposed or followed as the basis of action <her method is based on the theory that all children want to learn>b :  an ideal or hypothetical set of facts, principles, or circumstances —often used in the phrase in theory <in theory, we have always advocated freedom for all>
3.  5:  a plausible or scientifically acceptable general principle or body of principles offered to explain phenomena <the wave theory of light>
4.  6a :  a hypothesis assumed for the sake of argument or investigationb :  an unproved assumption :  conjecturec :  a body of theorems presenting a concise systematic view of a subject <theory of equations>

Study.
a detailed investigation and analysis of a subject or situation.
"a study of a sample of 5,000 children"
Most of the time previous studies means exactly that: studies published were disseminated in the past that report results of research findings. This could mean the authors tested a specific hypothesis, test the tenets of the theory, or tried to answer a specific research question. For the most part studies are published in peer-reviewed journal articles, however research findings are also sometimes disseminated as standalone monographs, independent reports, or as books or chapters in books.

On the other hand, theories are proposed explanations of observed phenomena or relationships, usually based on some systematic analysis of the existing literature, or on the preponderance of evidence observed in case studies. To give you a concrete example, take a look at Kluger and DeNisi 1996 (Psychological Bulletin). This is a great example of both a previous study and a theory. In this paper, the author started by asking the research question does feedback always have a positive effect on performance? They did a meta-analysis of studies, and found that in approximately 40% of the cases the answer was no. This part of the paper contains empirical evidence, and would be considered reporting research findings. They then go on to review the research literature, summarizing and synthesizing what is known about feedback and how it works, and propose what they called "feedback intervention theory" to explain the conditions under which feedback works best in the conditions under which feedback doesn't work as well. This part of the paper is clearly the proposition of a theory. Last but not least, they test the tenets of the theory they have just proposed by conducting a second meta-analysis of the literature, and finding that many of the explanatory mechanisms they proposed in their theory are in fact responsible for the differences in feedback effectiveness observed in the literature. This last piece of the paper would also be considered reporting of research findings
Previous studies can refer to many materials inclusive articles, conference proceedings, theses, monographs, books etc being published in the similar domain you are studying right now.  These materials likely to contain research problem, research objectives, literature review on previous theoretical frameworks, hypotheses (if quantitative research), findings, discussions, conclusions etc.
Theory refers to the theoretical frameworks, empirical tested models etc. that your current study is trying to underpin on.  Without them,the study is at risk and might not survive or staying afloat upon challenging / questioning by authority / scholars in the related domain.
Hypotheses building are derived from your current conceptual framework / research model and not from previous studies nor theoretical frameworks etc.  However, your current conceptual framework or research model is adapted / derived / based on / underpinned on the previous theoretical frameworks etc.
When reviewing previous studies, one should assess the level of evidence that is provided.
The following editorial in THE JOURNAL OF BONE AND JOINT SURGERY for example classifies types of studies according to the level of evidence
What is a meta analysis in research?
Meta-analysis is a quantitative, formal, epidemiological study design used to systematically assess the results of previous research to derive conclusions about that body of research. Typically, but not necessarily, the study is based on randomized, controlled clinical trials.

A theoretical framework is a collection of interrelated concepts, like a theory but not necessarily so well worked-out. A theoretical framework guides your research, determining what things you will measure, and what statistical relationships you will look for.
A conceptual framework is defined as a network or a “plane” of linked concepts.Conceptual framework analysis offers a procedure of theorization for building conceptual frameworks based on grounded theory method.

Definition. A literature review surveys books, scholarly articles, and any other sources relevant to a particular issue, area of research, or theory, and by so doing, provides a description, summary, and critical evaluation of these works in relation to the research problem being investigated.

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