Theoretical and Conceptual Framework

Purpose of the conceptual / theoretical framework

Researchers create theoretical and conceptual frameworks that include a philosophical and
methodological model to help design their work. A formal theory provides context for the outcome of
the events conducted in the research. The data collection and analysis are also based on the theoretical
and conceptual framework.

As stated by Grant and Osanloo (2014), “Without a theoretical framework, the structure and vision for a
study is unclear, much like a house that cannot be constructed without a blueprint. By contrast, a
research plan that contains a theoretical framework allows the dissertation study to be strong and
structured with an organized flow from one chapter to the next.”

Theoretical and conceptual frameworks provide evidence of academic standards and procedure. They
also offer an explanation of why the study is pertinent and how the researcher expects to fill the gap in
the literature.

Literature does not always clearly delineate between a theoretical or conceptual framework. With that
being said, there are slight differences between the two. 

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What is a theoretical framework?

"The theoretical framework is the “blueprint” for the entire dissertation inquiry. It serves as the guide on
which to build and support your study, and also provides the structure to define how you will
philosophically, epistemologically, methodologically, and analytically approach the dissertation as a
whole. Eisenhart defined a theoretical framework as “a structure that guides research by relying on a
formal theory…constructed by using an established, coherent explanation of certain phenomena and
relationships” (1991, p. 205).

Thus, the theoretical framework consists of the selected theory (or theories) that undergirds your
thinking with regards to how you understand and plan to research your topic, as well as the concepts
and definitions from that theory that are relevant to your topic. Lovitts (2005) empirically defines criteria
for applying or developing theory to the dissertation that must be appropriate, logically interpreted, well
understood, and align with the question at hand."

What is a conceptual framework?

"Miles and Huberman (1994) defined a conceptual framework as a visual or written product, one that
“explains, either graphically or in narrative form, the main things to be studied—the key factors,
concepts, or variables—and the presumed relationships among them” (p. 18).1 Here, I use the term in a
broader sense, to refer to the actual ideas and beliefs that you hold about the phenomena studied,
whether these are written down or not; this may also be called the “theoretical framework” or “idea
context” for the study. A valuable guide to developing a conceptual framework and using this
throughout the research process, with detailed analyses of four actual studies, is Ravitch and Riggan,
Reason & Rigor: How Conceptual Frameworks Guide Research (2011). (Full disclosure: Sharon Ravitch is
a former student of mine, and I wrote the foreword for the book.)

The most important thing to understand about your conceptual framework is that it is primarily a
conception or model of what is out there that you plan to study, and of what is going on with these
things and why—a tentative theory of the phenomena that you are investigating. The function of this
theory is to inform the rest of your design— to help you to assess and refine your goals, develop realistic
and relevant research questions, select appropriate methods, and identify potential validity threats to
your 3 Conceptual Framework What Do You Think Is Going On? 40 Qualitative Research Design
conclusions. It also helps you justify your research."

Choosing a conceptual or theoretical framework

It's very important that the theory aligns with the research question. Consider the following when
searching for a theory or conceptual model for the conceptual framework.
 
* Critically read peer-reviewed studies related to your topic and identify the theories that the sources
found aligned with their studies. After you have read and synthesized numerous peer-reviewed studies
related to the topic, you will notice a few theories (or conceptual models) that aligned with several
studies.
* Critically read the seminal work on the theories (or conceptual models) that you found in peer-
reviewed studies related to your topic. Related studies may be about the concept and not the specific
topic. For example, if you are studying how the family-owned wrecking yard leaders succession plan, you
could look at studies on leadership training and development in other types of organizations.
* Quantitative. Select the theory or conceptual model that best aligns with the research question and
provides an interrelated set of constructs, variables, hypotheses, or propositions that offer an
explanation for phenomenon.
* Qualitative. Select the theory or conceptual model that best aligns with the research question.

Reference:

Waldon University (2020). Theoretical & Conceptual Frameworks: Introduction to Frameworks.

Retrieved from https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/conceptualframework#s-lg-box-18797509