Course

Business Research Management

Assignment
1

Submitted to
Dr. Adeel Luqman

Submitted by
Nimra Batool (2017-BCOM-019)

Submission date
27th May .2020
Question no. 1
Difference between theoretical framework and conceptual framework
Theoretical Framework
Theoretical framework is application of
theory as a whole or in part.
It is based on existing theory or theories
related to the research study.
It is created from reviewed literature and
adapted from pre-existing theory.
It has wider application beyond the current
research problems.
The concept of the study relate back to the
theory.
It provides the basic foundation of study.
It is found in both quantitative and qualitative
research paradigms.
It is general and less structured.
It has a broader scope.
For example, use of theory of planned
behavior to study student’s intention to cheat.
It initiates as a conceptual framework and
with much research, develop into research
based theoretical framework.
Conceptual Framework
Conceptual framework is a combination of
relevant concepts to be studied.
It is not theory. When no existing theory fits
the concept a researcher wants to study, the
researcher may create a conceptual
framework.
It is created from a variety of conceptual and
theoretical perspectives.
It is limited to specific research problems.
It can be used to define the relationship of the
concepts.
It provides the structure for a research
analysis.
It is found mostly in quantitative research
paradigms.
It is more specific and has a definite structure.
It has a narrower scope.
For example, studying the effect of students
mentoring program on the students study
habits.
Question no. 2
Difference between framework and model?
Framework
A framework is a way of representing the
empirical relations between every aspect of
inquiry when considered a scientific theory or
research.
It describes the general direction and the
constraints of the theory or research.
The framework provides the overall structure
of the project.
Model
A model is something used to represent or
explain the operation and mechanism of
something else.
A conceptual model is a model that exists in
one`s mind.
Model explores specific methodology of the
research.

Question no. 3

What if our research model does not have a support of any theory? Justify.

It is possible not to have a supporting theory. When a gap is discovered which does not have
been identified previously then the research is driven by hypothesis. Qualitative research does
not have to theory driven nor it requires a theory to drive a research model. Instead of theory, all
one really needs is hypothesis that one is going to test through an empirical investigation. If gaps
are observed then those gaps become the research question. Grounded theory is a theory that is
developed out of research or data collected. Study could have been done with no theory, analysis,
or interpretation, just a straight up content analysis driven by a research question based on an
observation.