Theoretical and Conceptual framework in Research
Download as PPTX, PDF17 likes14,226 views
The document discusses the significance of theoretical and conceptual frameworks in research, highlighting their roles in guiding the study and understanding the research problem. It details various levels of theory development, such as descriptive, explanatory, predictive, and prescriptive theories, as well as provides strategies for developing an effective theoretical framework. Additionally, it explains the relationship between both frameworks and their positioning within research theses or dissertations.
Theoretical and Conceptual framework in Research
- 1. Theoretical & Conceptual Framework Ikbal Ahmed PhD Researcher Binary University, Malaysia
- 2. Purpose of Theoretical and Conceptual Framework In general, both ‘conceptual’ and ‘theoretical’ frameworks refer to the epistemological paradigm a researcher adopts in looking at a given research problem – as Liehr and Smith (1999: 12) point out, “each of these terms refers to a structure” which guides the researcher. In the same regard, Evans (2007: 8) opines that both “theoretical and conceptual frames” help the reader understand the reasons why a given researcher decides to study a particular topic, the assumptions s/he makes, how s/he conceptually grounds his/her approach, the scholars s/he is in dialogue with, who s/he agrees and disagrees with.
- 3. A theory is a set of interrelated constructs (concepts), definitions, and propositions that present a systematic view of phenomena by specifying relations among variables, with the purpose of explaining and predicting the phenomena. This definition says three things: (1) A theory is a set of propositions consisting of defined and interrelated constructs (2) A theory sets out the interrelations among a set of variables (constructs) (3) A theory explains phenomena; it does so by specifying which variables are related to which variables and how they are related, thus enabling the researcher to predict from certain variables to certain other variables. There are four levels of theory development 1) factor isolating (describe phenomena) 2) Factor relating (explain phenomena) 3) Situation relating (predict the relationships between/among phenomena) 4) Situation producing (control phenomena and relationships) 3 Theory
- 4. Descriptive Theory Descriptive Theories – also known as “Factor isolating theories” • The primary level of theory development. • They identify and describe major concepts of phenomena. • They do not explain relationship of the concepts. • Main purpose: to present a phenomenon based on the five senses together with their corresponding meaning. EXAMPLE: A descriptive research about the Filipino nursing practices like use of herbal medicines and other alternative forms of treatment.
- 5. Explanatory Theory Explanatory Theories – also known as “Factor relating theories” • Theory that present relationship among concepts and propositions. • They aim to provide information on how or why concepts are related. • Cause and effect relationship are well explained in this type of theory. EXAMPLE: A research study about the factors affecting newborns failing to thrive.
- 6. Predictive Theory Predictive Theories – also known as “Situation relating theories” • They are achieved when the relationships of concepts under a certain condition are able to describe future outcomes consistently. • This theory is generated and tested using experimental research. EXAMPLE: A Theoretical model based on the observation of the effects of unsanitary environmental condition on the recovery of the post-operative patients.
- 7. Prescriptive Theory Prescriptive theories – also known as “Situation producing theories” • Deal with nursing actions, and test the validity and certainty of a specific nursing intervention. • This kind of theory is commonly used in testing new nursing interventions. EXAMPLE: Laurente’s theory validates and explains the different nursing management in the emergency room in relieving anxiety among its clients.
- 8. Examples of some Theories Blended Learning • Probable Theories • Learning Theory • Online Collaborative Learning Curriculum Development • Probable Theories • John Dewey’s Theory • Curriculum Theory • Tripp’s Theory • Goodson’s Theory • Actor Network Theory Journalism • Theory of Society • Democracy Theory • Communication Theory Area of Research
- 9. Research Framework First, it is important to understand what a ‘framework’ is, within the context of research. Liehr and Smith (1999: 13) see a framework for research as a structure that provides “guidance for the researcher as study questions are fine-tuned, methods for measuring variables are selected and analyses are planned”. Once data are collected and analyzed, the framework is used as a mirror to check whether the findings agree with the framework or whether there are some discrepancies; where discrepancies exist, a question is asked as to whether or not the framework can be used to explain them.
- 10. Theoretical Framework A theoretical framework refers to the theory that a researcher chooses to guide him/her in his/her research. Thus, a theoretical framework is the application of a theory, or a set of concepts drawn from one and the same theory, to offer an explanation of an event, or shed some light on a particular phenomenon or research problem. This could refer to, for instance, the Set theory, evolution, quantum mechanics, particulate theory of matter, or similar pre-existing generalization – such as Newton’s laws of motion, gas laws, that could be applied to a given research problem, deductively.
- 11. How to develop a Theoretical Framework Here are some strategies to develop of an effective theoretical framework: • Examine your thesis title and research problem. The research problem anchors your entire study and forms the basis from which you construct your theoretical framework. • Brainstorm on what you consider to be the key variables in your research. Answer the question, what factors contribute to the presumed effect? • Review related literature to find answers to your research question. • List the constructs and variables that might be relevant to your study. Group these variables into independent and dependent categories. • Review the key social science theories that are introduced to you in your course readings and choose the theory or theories that can best explain the relationships between the key variables in your study. • Discuss the assumptions or propositions of this theory and point out their relevance to your research. 11
- 12. The theoretical framework offers several benefits to a research work. • It provides the structure in showing how a researcher defines his/her study philosophically, epistemologically, methodology and analytically. • The theoretical framework guides and should resonate with every aspect of the research process from the definition of the problem, literature survey, methodology, presentation and discussion of the findings as well as the conclusions that are drawn. • It guides a researcher’s choice of research design and data analysis plan. • The theoretical framework also guides the kind of data to be accrued for a particular study (Lester, 2005). The theoretical framework, thus, aids the researcher in finding an appropriate research approach, analytical tools and procedures for his/her research inquiry. It makes research findings more meaningful and generalizable. The importance of Theoretical Framework
- 13. How to select a suitable Theoretical Framework • There is no one perfect or right theory for a dissertation, though certain theories are popular (Grant & Osanloo, 2014). • The selection of a theoretical framework requires a thorough understanding of the problem, purpose, significance and research questions of a study. • This is important because when the selection is poorly done, it would be as if the researcher is using a wrong bolt to forcibly fix a wrong nut. • The chosen theoretical framework must accentuate the purpose and importance of the study dissertation (Grant & Osanloo, 2014). • To make an appropriate selection of a theoretical context, the researcher must consider the guiding principles of the study and situate the problem in relation to it. • The research questions of the study and the purpose 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; LoBiondo-Wood, 2010).
- 14. The Position of a Theoretical Framework in a Thesis/Dissertation Research Many research instructors and postgraduate students usually wonder where a theoretical framework is supposed to be placed in a dissertation or thesis research. Many scholars suggest that the theoretical framework needs to be shown readers right at the onset of the thesis writing. The student is supposed to select and clarify the theoretical framework from the time the dissertation topic is initially conceptualized (Dooyeweerd as cited in Sir e, 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).
- 15. CONCEPTS A concept is a generalized idea about a class of objects, attributes, occurrences, or processes that has been given a name. In other words a concept is an idea expressed as a symbol or in words. Natural science concepts are often expressed in symbolic forms. Most social science concepts are expressed as words. Words, after all, are symbols too; they are symbols we learn with language. Height is a concept with which all of you are familiar. In a sense, a language is merely an agreement to represent ideas by sound or written characters that people learned at some point in their lives. Learning concepts and theory is like learning language.
- 16. Conceptual Framework A conceptual framework is a structure which the researcher believes can best explain the natural progression of the phenomenon to be studied. It is the researcher’s explanation of how the research problem would be explored. Theoretical framework refers to previous theories, frameworks, models that you were reviewing during literature review. Normally, a researcher will develop his or her conceptual framework underpinned on some theoretical frameworks that s/he has reviewed. Usually, without theoretical frameworks to support your conceptual framework, you might expose to questioning during article review / thesis viva examination. Conceptual framework is the one to be developed by the new researcher and theoretical framework is something which already been developed by other researchers
- 17. The Importance of Conceptual Framework The conceptual framework offers many benefits to a research- • It assists the researcher in identifying and constructing his/her worldview on the phenomenon to be investigated. • It is the simplest way through which a researcher presents his/her asserted remedies to the problem s/he has defined. • 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. • The conceptual framework is mostly used by researchers when existing theories are not applicable or sufficient in creating a firm structure for the study.
- 18. The Position of a Conceptual Framework in a Research The conceptual framework is mostly placed in the chapter where the literature survey was discussed. It is in this chapter that the theoretical perspectives of the main variables or constructs are rigorously reviewed. In most dissertation or thesis papers, the literature survey is discussed in chapter two.
- 19. Example of TF & CF
- 20. Example of TF & CF (Continue…..)
- 21. Independent Variable (IV) and Dependent Variable (DV) Examples of conceptual models (courtesy of: W. Heijs): A. Bivariate model that communicates that household income is assumed to determine what local shop people go to buy their groceries; B. Multivariate model that communicates that the combination of household income, car ownership and age (the 3 independent variables) influence i. what shop people go to and ii. how much they spend in that shop (the 2 dependent variables); C. Interactive, conditional model that communicates that choice of local shop (dependent variable) is determined by household income (main independent variable) but with a 'background influence' of car ownership (having or not having a car); in this case car ownership is the moderator or interaction variable D. Indirect model that theorizes that choice of local shop (dependent variable) is determined by household income (independent variable) but with an intermediary influence of car ownership; in this case car ownership is regarded as the mediator or intervening variable.
- 22. Relation between Conceptual & Theoretical Framework A theoretical framework refers to the theory that a researcher chooses to guide him/her in his/her research. Thus, a theoretical framework is the application of a theory, or a set of concepts drawn from one and the same theory, to offer an explanation of an event, or shed some light on a particular phenomenon or research problem. This could refer to, for instance, the Set theory, evolution, quantum mechanics, particulate theory of matter, or similar pre-existing generalization – such as Newton’s laws of motion, gas laws, that could be applied to a given research problem, deductively
- 23. Typical relationships between the Theoretical Framework (TF) and Conceptual Framework (CF) relative to the qualitative and quantitative research paradigms. Illustrates the interplay among the three sets of dimensions of a) Deductive versus inductive reasoning b) Conceptual versus theoretical frameworks, relative to c) Qualitative and quantitative research paradigms. In deductive research, researchers normally use a dominant theory to address a given research problem, while in inductive research, many aspects of different theoretical perspectives are brought together to build up a generalization with enough “power” to guide the study (Liehr and Smith 1999: 13)
- 24. Thank You!