t e r 2

C h a p a n d
t i n g th e r s
W r i ro m O re
i n g f te r a tu
L e a r n h e L i
i n g t D
e v i e w R K A N
R AM E W O
K
L F R W O R
T I C A A M E
O R E L F R
TH E T U A
C E P
CO N
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

A Theoretical Framework presents a

theory that explains why a problem under
study exists (Mercado 1994), and explains
the connection between certain factors
and the problem.
 FUNCTIONS OF THEORETICAL
FRAMEWORK IN RESEARCH

1| It provides the general framework which can

guide data analysis.

2| It identifies the variables to be measured.

It explains why one variable can possibly affect

3| possibly influence the dependent variable.
another or why the independent variable can
 FUNCTIONS OF THEORETICAL
FRAMEWORK IN RESEARCH

4| It limits the scope of data relevant to the

framework by focusing on specific variables.

5| It stipulates the specific frame of mind or

viewpoint that the researcher will take in
analyzing and interpreting the data.
 DEVELOPING THE THEORETICAL
FRAMEWORK

1| Examine your Research Title and Research

Problem

2| the key variables in your research

Brainstorm on what you consider to be

3| Review related literature

DEVELOPING THE THEORETICAL
FRAMEWORK

4| List the constructs and the variables

5| theories
Review the key social science

6| propositions
Discuss the assumptions and
 SAMPLE OF THEORETICAL
FRAMEWORK
Research Title: “The Effect of Curfew in the Attitude of
Students towards their Studies and their Academic
Performance”
Many parents and guardians prevent their children from staying
out late at night by imposing curfew, so that they can study and
perform well in school. But, many students still perform badly in
school, even if they are forced to be home early. Is curfew an
effective means of improving students’ attitudes towards their
studies and consequently their school performance? Does curfew
adversely affect students’ school performance?
 SAMPLE OF
THEORETICAL
FRAMEWORK
Objective: “To determine whether imposing curfew can
significantly affect students’ attitude towards their studies
and their academic performance.”
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK: “People value their sense of
freedom and like to protect an image of efficacy (Baer, et.al.,
1980). When social pressure threatens their sense of freedom, they
tend to rebel.” According to the theory of psychological reactance,
people act to defend their freedom. Experiments have shown that
attempts to restrict a person’s freedom often results in a reactive
“boomerang effect”. Restricting someone’s movement is also
reducing or taking away one’s freedom. Most people use
restrictions as a preventive measure. For some, it may do more
harm than good.
 A basic structure or
frame of reference
Conceptual which is designed to
support or enclose

Framework something

skeleton
A diagrammatic
presentation of the
study also called as the
research paradigm
 This is a diagram that connects variables of the
Conceptual study with lines (correlations) or arrows (cause-
Framework effect relationships)

Theoretical
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.
Conceptual
Framework
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.
SHS Students’ Social Media Usage and Their Attention Span in Class

Conceptual Framework

Figure 1 below illustrates the conceptual framework of the research. The paradigm presents the variables that will
be considered in the research.

SHS students’ Social Media Usage

a. Forms of social media SHS students’ Attention
b. Frequency of social media use Span in class
c. Mode of social media use

Fig. 1 The Conceptual Framework of the Study

The level of SHS students’ social media usage will be described in the research in terms of three sub-variables: (a)
forms of social media; (b) frequency of social media use; and (c) mode of social media use. In the research, this
variable is seen to possess a hypothesized relationship with SHS students’ attention span in class. This
hypothesized relationship is represented by the two-headed arrow connecting both variables.