When researchers plan their studies to test a specific theory this theory is important background information for the study. Researchers use the literature to document and describe the important elements of the theory. They use this information to select variables and make predictions about expected results. For example, in the study of African American adolescents career decisions mentioned above the authors discussed the Social Cognitive Career Theory in their literature review section and used the theory to make predictions for how they expected perceived occupational barriers to be related to career certainty.