Theoretical & Conceptual Framework

Theory in Research
• Theories are constructed in order to explain,
predict and master phenomena (e.g. relationships,
events, or the behavior). In many instances we are
constructing models of reality.
• A theory makes generalizations about observations
and consists of an interrelated, coherent set of
ideas and models.
Continued…
• Provides patterns for the interpretation of data
• Links one study to another
• Supplies frameworks within which concepts and
variables acquire special significance
• Allows us to interpret the larger meaning of our
findings for ourselves and others.

A theory makes generalizations about observations

and consists of an interrelated, coherent set of ideas
and models.
Continued…
• Theories are generated by using inductive
processes.
• A deductive approach is used to evaluate and
modify existing theory by testing predictions about
relationships between observed phenomena.
Continued…
• Set of defined concepts and propositions
• Presents systematic view of a phenomenon
• Helps describe, explain, or predict
• Always subjective, subject to revision
• Propositional statements
Continued…
• Theory comes from the Greek word theoria, which
means a beholding, spectacle, or speculation.
• They provide description and explanation of the
occurrence of phenomena and are always subject
to further development or revision.
• Theories may even be discarded if not supported
by empirical evidence.
Theory Vs. Practice
• We cannot do without theory. It will always defeat
practice in the end for a quite simple reason.
Practice is static. It does well what it knows. It has,
however, no principle for dealing with what it
doesn’t know … Practice is not well adapted for
rapid adjustments to a changing environment.
Theory is light footed, it can adapt itself to changed
circumstances, think out fresh
 What is a Theoretical Framework

• It is the ‘blueprint’ or guide for a research (Grant & Osanloo,

2014). It is ‘borrowed’ by the researcher to build his/her own
house.
• It serves as the foundation upon which a research is
constructed.

• Sinclair (2007) compares the role of the theoretical framework

to that of a map or travel plan.

• Brondizio, Leemans, and Solecki (2014) contend that it is the

specific theory or theories about aspects of human endeavour
that can be useful to the study of events.
What is a Theoretical Framework
• All aspects of the dissertation research should connect to the
theoretical framework (Grant & Osanloo, 2014).

• The relevant theory or theories that underpin the knowledge

base of the phenomenon to be researched.

• It consists of theoretical principles, constructs, concepts, and

tenants of a theory (Grant & Osanloo, 2014).

• Make a unique application of the selected theory so as to apply

the theoretical constructs to his/her dissertation study.
 Importance of Theoretical Framework in
Research

• It provides the structure to define how a researcher defines

his/her study philosophically, epistemologically, methodology
and analytically (Grant & Osanloo, 2014).

• It normally serves as the focus for the research study and it is

linked to the research problem under study.
 Importance of Theoretical Framework in
Research
• It guides a researcher’s choice of research design and data
analysis plan.

• It provides a common worldview or lens from which to support

one’s thinking on the problem and analysis of data (Grant &
Osanloo, 2014).

• The theoretical framework guides and must resonates with

every aspect of the research (Statement of the problem,
Literature Review, Methodology, Presentation and Discussion of
Findings).
 Importance of Theoretical
Framework in Research
• The theoretical framework guides the kind of data to be
collected (Lester, 2005).

• Simon and Goes (2011) as well as Maxwell (2004) avers that

theoretical frameworks deepen the essence of the study.

• It convinces readers that the study is not based on the personal

instincts of the researcher but rather on established theory
gathered via credible studies.
 Examples of Theoretical Framework

• Transformational Theory
• Culture Theory
• Cognitive Theory
• Gender Theory
• Behavioral Theory
• Developmental Theory
• Human Environment Relations Theory
• Culture Ecology Theory
• Culture Determinism Theory
 How To Construct a Theoretical Framework

• There is no one perfect or right theory for a dissertation,

though certain theories are popular (Grant & Osanloo, 2014).

• The theory must reflect the understanding of the researcher

regarding the study and must direct the study (Simon & Goes,
2011).

• The selection of a theoretical framework requires a thorough

understanding of the problem, purpose, significance and
research questions of a study (Grant & Osanloo, 2014).
 How To Construct a Theoretical Framework

• The chosen theoretical framework must accentuate the

purpose and importance of the study dissertation (Grant &
Osanloo, 2014).

• Consider the guiding principles of the study and situate the

problem in relation to a theoretical context.

• The research questions of the study must entail noticeable

aspects of the theoretical framework and must agree with the
assertions promulgated by the theorists of the selected theory
(Maxwell, 2004).
 How To Construct a Theoretical Framework

• The research findings accrued finally from the study may

support, extend, or modify an existing theory that was
borrowed for the study (Lester, 2005).

• The researcher may critique, develop and/or expand the theory

that served as a guide for his/her study vis-à-vis the findings
gleaned from the study (Grant & Osanloo, 2014).

• Munhall and Chenail (2008) contend that this should be done at

the data analysis stage.
 How To Construct a Theoretical Framework

• Using Grant and Osanloo (2014) checklist to identify the

suitable theoretical framework for a study:

1. What discipline will the theory be applied to?

2. Does the theory agree with the methodology plan for the
study?
3. Is the theory to be selected well developed with many
theoretical constructs?
4. Have specific concepts or theoretical principles been selected
to meet the objectives of the study?
 How To Construct a Theoretical Framework

5. Does the problem of the study, the purpose and importance of

the study correlates with the theoretical framework?
6. Can the theory be used hand in hand with the research
questions for the study?
7. Does the theoretical framework inform the literature review?
8. Does the data analysis plan agrees with the selected
theoretical framework?
9. Does the theoretical framework undergirds the conclusions
and recommendations based on the data analysis?
 How To Construct a Theoretical Framework

Simon and Goes (2011) also suggest some points that can help
articulate the theory for an informed research:

1. The main concern for inquiry in the research

2. The key variables in the research
3. Read and review current related literature on the topic using
key word search.
4. List the constructs and variables that might be relevant for
the study.
5. Consider how the variables are related to the theory
 How To Construct a Theoretical Framework

6. Revise the search and add the word ‘theory’ to the key words
to find the theories and theorists most in line with the thinking
of the researcher.
7. Discuss the propositions of each theory and highlight its
relevance to the research.
8. Consider alternative theories that challenges the perspectives
of the researcher.
9. Consider the limitations associated with the selected theory
which the problem to be investigated can help address or
provide logic explanations.
 Where To Place The Theoretical Framework in A
Thesis

• The student must select and clarify a theoretical framework from

the time the dissertation topic is initially conceptualized
(Dooyeweerd as cited in Sire, 2004).

• Staunch researchers profess that the researcher’s choice of a

theory must be stated explicitly early in the writing of a
dissertation (Grant & Osanloo, 2014).

• Mertens (1998) argues that the theoretical framework influence

every decision made by the researcher in the carrying out of the
research.
 What is Conceptual Framework

• Conceptual framework is a structure which the researcher

believes could best explain the natural progression of the
phenomenon to be studied (Camp, 2001).

•It offers a logical structure of connected concepts that help

provide a picture or visual display of how ideas in a study relate
to one another (Grant & Osanloo, 2014).

•It assists the researcher to specify and define the concepts

within the problem of the study (Luse, Mennecke & Townsend,
2012).
 What is Conceptual Framework

• It represents an integrated way of looking at a problem under

study (Liehr & Smith, 1999).

• It is seen as an outline of courses of action or preferred

approach to a thought to be carried out in a research study
(Dixon, Gulliver & Gibbon, 2001).

• Miles and Huberman (1994, p.18) opine that conceptual

frameworks can be ‘graphical or in a narrative form showing the
key variables or constructs to be studied and the presumed
relationships between them’.
Importance of Conceptual Framework in Research

• It aids the researcher to identify and construct his/her

worldview and approach to the topic of study (Grant &
Osanloo, 2014).

• It brings together related concepts to explain or predict a given

event or give a detailed understanding of the research problem
and its asserted solution (Liehr & Smith, 1999).

• It accentuates the reasons why a research topic is worth

studying, the assumptions of a researcher, the scholars s/he
agrees with and disagrees with and how s/he conceptually
grounds his/her approach (Evans, 2007).
 How To Construct a Conceptual Framework

• Mostly, diagrams are created to clearly define the constructs or

variables of the research topic and their relationships are
shown by the use of arrows.

• Researchers are at liberty to adopt existing frameworks, but

have to modify it to suit the nature of the context of their
research as well as the nature of their research questions
(Fisher, 2007).

• Fisher adds that a good conceptual framework must also be

expressed in writing for it to be understood clearly.
 Differences Between Theoretical Framework and
Conceptual Framework

• Theoretical framework is curled from an existing theory or

theories in the literature that has already been tested and
validated by others and is considered as an acceptable theory in
the scholarly literature (Grant & Osanloo, 2014).

• Conceptual framework is the researcher’s understanding of how

the research problem will be explored, the specific direction the
research will have to take, and the relationship between the
different variables in the study.
 Differences Between Theoretical Framework and
Conceptual Framework
• While a whole theory may serve as one’s theoretical
framework, a conceptual framework is carefully put together in
the form of a conceptual model and immediately applied to a
particular study (Liehr & Smith, 1999).

• Theoretical framework is derived from a theory while

conceptual framework is derived from concepts.
 Where To Place The Conceptual Framework in A
Thesis

• Since the theoretical perspectives of the main variables or

constructs of a study are rigorously reviewed in chapter
two of a thesis, the conceptual framework are mostly
placed in the chapter two.