THEORETICAL

& CONCEPT U
AL
FRAMEWORK
CONCEPTUAL / THEORETICAL
FRAMEWORK
The terms "conceptual framework" an
d "theoretical framework" are commonly used
in referring to the overall structure that
shapes a research project.
However, there are subtle differences
between the two.
CONCEPT VS. THEORY
A concept is an idea that has been formally developed & organised.
A theory is a set of concepts, models, principles, definitions etc. that
make sense of a phenomenon by determining relationships among
variables. Theories are established and validated by experiments and
evidence.
WHAT I S MEANT BY A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK?
A conceptual framework illustrates the expected relationships between
your variables. It defines the relevant objectives for your research process and
maps out how they come together to draw coherent conclusions.
It is also called a conceptual model or research model.
 From the review of related literature and studies, the researcher may
formulate a theoretical explanations of phenomenon or problem and serves
as the basis for the formulation of research hypothesis.
The conceptual framework becomes the central theme, the focus, the
main trust of the study. It serves as a guide in conducting the investigation.
Currently, however, most thesis writers endeavor to include an explaination of
their conceptual framework in their thesis.
PARADIGM
Isa diagrammatic presentation of a conceptual framework. It depicts in
a more vivid way what the conceptual framework want to convey.
EXAMPLE # 1
EXAMPLE # 2
DEVELOPING A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK IN RESEARCH
A conceptual framework is a representation of the relationship
you expect to see between variables, or the characteristics that you want to
study.
Conceptual framework can be written or visual and are generally
developed based on a literature review of existing studies about your topic.
Step 1:Choose your research question.
Your research question guides your work by determining exactly what you
want to find out, giving your research process a clear focus.

Step 2:Select your independent and dependent variables.
In order to move forward with your research question and test a cause-and-
effect relationship, you must first identify at least 2 key variables: your independent and
dependent variables.
Note that causal relationships often involve several independent variables that affect
the dependent variable.
Step 3:Visualize your cause-and-effect relationship
Now that you've figured out your research question and variables,
fhe first step in designing your conceptual framework is visualizing your
expected cause-and-effect relationship.
Step 4:Identify other influencing variables.
Common Variables to include are:
·moderating
·mediating and
·control variables
 M ODERATI NG VARI ABLES
Moderating variable (or moderators) alter the effect that an
independent variable has on a dependent variable. In other words moderators
change the "effect" component of the cause- and-effect relationship.
 M EDIATI NG VARI ABLES
Link the independent and dependent variables, allowing the
relationship between them to be there to be better explained.
Moderator vs.Mediator
A moderating variable is not affected by the independent variable,
even though it affects the dependent variable. For example, no matter how
manyhours you study (the independent variable), your IQ will not get higher.
A mediating variable is affected by the independent variable. In turn, it
also affects the dependent variable. Therefore, it links 2 variables and helps
explain the relationships between them.
 CONT ROL VARIABLE
These are variables that are held constant so that they don’t
interfere with the result. Even though you aren’t interested in measuring them
for your study, it’s crucial to be aware of as many of themas you can be.
WHAT DOES (CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK) LOOK LI KE?
Infact, the conceptual framework is a representation of a problem statement or
research question. Once the independent and dependent variables have been
determined, a conceptual framework can be started:
·Frameworks - the dependent and independent variables are drown up in the frames.
·Arrows – the arrows between 2 concepts indicate that there is a casual link;where
the arrow points to
·Lines – where a relationship (correlation) between 2 variables
is expected,but no connection,a line is used.
 PURPOSE OFCONCEPTUAL FRAMEWOR.K
A conceptual framework is like a roadmap for your study, helping you visualize
your research project and put it into action. It defines the relevant variables for your study
and maps out how they might relate to each other.

Conceptual framework have different uses in different types of studies.
In quantitative studies, a conceptual framework might be used to determine
survey questions or data points, or to generate a hypothesis for explanation and
prediction.
In qualitative studies, a conceptual framework might be used to provide a
working hypothesis or a set of research questions, or to identify or explore categories in
descriptive research.
 WHAT I S A THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK?
A theoretical framework is a foundation review of existing theories that
serves as a roadmap for developing the arguments you will use in your own
work.
Theories are developed by researchers to explain phenomena, draw
conclusions and make predictions. In a theoretical framework, you explain
the existing theories that support your research, showing that your work is
grounded in established ideas.
 THEORETI CAL FRAMEWORK
A theoretical perspective is based on the underlying beliefs that
helped inform the research. Put simply, a theory is a perspective or point of
view, also known as a paradigm.
Qualitative research is underpinned by several theoretical
perspectives, or paradigms, namely;
·Constructivist- Interpretive
·Critical
·Post-positivist
·Post structural/Postmodern and feminist
 CONST RUCTI VI ST- I NTERPRETI VE
Constructivist-Interpretive approaches have the intention of
understanding the human world of experience relying on the participants
view of the situation being studied using an interpretive understanding
called hermeneutics. It helps explore practical concerns of everyday living
examining the way people develop interpretations of their life in relation to
their experiences.
 CRITICAL
Critical theories are agents of change who are interested in the
social construction of experience, particularly inequality and social injustice,
who develop knowledge to help create positive and empowering change.
 POST-POSITIVIST
The Post-Positivist experience grew out of disenchantment with the
radical objectivity of the quantitative research style. The Post-Positivist style,
is interpretive, seeks to understand people through lived experiences.
 POST ST RUCTURAL OR POSTMODERN STUDI ES
Post Structural or Postmodern Studies, are concerned with the
everyday life with concepts such as culture, gender, power and oppression.
Feminism is concerned with women's issues recognizing women's
experiences, belief, views, ways of being and ways of knowing as regitimate
and authoritative sources of knowledge as well as raising awareness of
gender inequality and oppression.
 Thus, theoretical framework uses abstract concepts, facts or laws,
variables and relations that explain and predict how observed phenomena
exist and operate in the investigation. The study needs to show how the
research relates to a body of related literature, or studies. The established
way to do this is to write a brief version of the literature review on a
traditional science model. This is not always possible, especially if there is
little related past research.
 A Conceptual framework elaborates research problem in relation to the
relevant literature.
Consider the ff.in formulating the framework of the study;
·Existing literature and previous research and its relevance for your current
investigation.
·Key ideas/ Concepts or Constructs in your research approach.
·Possible lines or consideration of inquiry you want to track.
·Relevant theoretical or conceptual perspective or perspectives based on the
previous research studies/ conducted and literature review.
Definition of Terms
There are two ways in defining the key terms found in the thesis, namely, Conceptual or
Operational.
* In conceptual, the meaning of the term is usually taken from the dictionary.
*Operational definition, the definition is based on an observed characteristics and how it is used
in the study. The terms must be arranged in alphabetical order.

Consider the ff. in defining the important terms;
·List and define the major terms you will use, particularly where terms found in the study such
as the variables have different meaning to different people.
· Emphasis should be placed on operational or behavioral definitions.
WHY DO YOU NEED A THEORETI CAL FRAMEWORK?
Before you start your own research, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the theories and models
that other researchers have already developed. Your theoretical framework is your opportunity to present
and explain what you’ve learned, situated within your future research topic.
There’s agood chance that manydifferent theories about your topic already exist, especially if the
topic is broad. In your theoretical framework, you will evaluate, compare, and select the most relevant
ones.
By “framing” your research within a clearly defined field, you make the reader aware of the
assumptions that inform your approach. Showing the Rationale behind your choices for later sections,
like methodology and discussion. This part of your dissertation lays the foundation that will support
your analysis, helping you interpret your resultsand make broader generalizations.
HOW TO WRITE A THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK?
To create your own theoretical framework, you can follow these 3 steps:
1. Identify your key concepts
Pick out the key terms from your problem statement and research questions.
2. Evaluate and explain relevant theories
By conducting a thorough literature review, you can determine how other researchers
have defined these key concepts and draw connections between them. As you write your
theoretical framework, your aim is to compare and critically evaluate the approaches that
different authors have taken.
 After discussing different models and theories, you can establish the
definitions that best fit your research and justify why. You can even combine
theories from different fields to build your own unique framework if this
better suits your topic.
Make sure to at least briefly mention each of the most important
theories related to your key concepts. If there is a well- established theory that
you don’t want to apply to your own research, explain why isn’t suitable for
your purposes.
3.Show how your research fits into existing research
Apart from summarizing and discussing existing theories, your
theoretical framework should show how your project will make use of these
ideas and take them a step further
You might aim to do one or more of the following;
·Test whether a theory holds in a specific, previously unexamined context.
·Use an existing theory as a basis for interpreting your results
·Critique or challenge a theory
·Combine different theories in a new or unique way
 STRUCTURI NG YOUR THE.ORETI CAL FRAMEWORK
A theoretical framework can sometimesbe integrated into aliterature review chapter, but it can
also be included as it’s own chapter or section in your dissertation. As a rule of thumb, if your research
involves dealing with alot complex theories, it’s a good idea to include a separate theoretical framework
chapter.
There are no fixed rules for structuring your theoretical framework, but it’s best to double. Check
with your department or institution to makesure they don’t have any formatting guide lines. That most
important thing is to create aclear, logical structure. There are a few waysto do this;
·Draw on your research questions, structuring each section around a question or keyconcept.
·Organize bytheorycluster
·Organize bydata
PURPOSE OF THEORETI CAL FRAMEWORK
A theoretical framework introduces and describes the theory/theories underpinning the
research problem. Thus, theoretical framework support research by describing and/or drawing from
relevant theoretical aspects obtained in previous work.
 CONCEPTUAL VS. THEORETI CAL FRAMEWORK
A summaryof the key differences between the 2 frameworks. Conceptual framework
·It is more about the approach that a researcher takes in answering a research question.
· It isderived fromconcepts.
· A conceptual framework is composed of several concepts.
·Further,a conceptual frameworkmayinclude a theoretical framework Theoretical framework
· It is developed from existing theory/theories.
· It isderived fromtheory.
· Byitself, one theory alone can serve asa theoretical framework.
THANK YOU!