Theoretical Framework and

Conceptual Framework:
Rudiments of A Good Research

Tapas Bala
Assistant Professor
Department of Marketing
BSMRSTU, Gopalgonj

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 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
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 Examples of Theoretical Framework

Framework in Research
„ The theoretical framework guides the kind of data to be „ Transformational Theory
collected (Lester, 2005).
„ Culture Theory
„ Cognitive Theory
„ Simon and Goes (2011) as well as Maxwell (2004) avers
that theoretical frameworks deepen the essence of the „ Gender Theory
study. „ Behavioral Theory
„ Developmental Theory
„ It convinces readers that the study is not based on the
„ Human Environment Relations Theory
personal instincts of the researcher but rather on
established theory gathered via credible studies. „ Culture Ecology Theory
„ Culture Determinism Theory

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 How To Construct a Theoretical How To Construct a Theoretical
Framework Framework

„ There is no one perfect or right theory for a dissertation, „ The chosen theoretical framework must accentuate the
though certain theories are popular (Grant & Osanloo, purpose and importance of the study dissertation (Grant
2014). & 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).
„ 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 How To Construct a Theoretical

Framework Framework
„ The research findings accrued finally from the study may „ Using Grant and Osanloo (2014) checklist to identify the
support, extend, or modify an existing theory that was suitable theoretical framework for a study:
borrowed for the study (Lester, 2005).
1. What discipline will the theory be applied to?
„ The researcher may critique
critique, develop and/or expand the 2 Does
2. D th
the th
theory agree with
ith th
the methodology
th d l plan
l ffor th
the
theory that served as a guide for his/her study vis-à-vis study?
the findings gleaned from the study (Grant & Osanloo,
3. Is the theory to be selected well developed with many
2014).
theoretical constructs?
4. Have specific concepts or theoretical principles been
„ Munhall and Chenail (2008) contend that this should be selected to meet the objectives of the study?
done at the data analysis stage.

How To Construct a Theoretical How To Construct a Theoretical

Framework Framework
5. Does the problem of the study, the purpose and Simon and Goes (2011) also suggest some points that can
importance of the study correlates with the theoretical help articulate the theory for an informed research:
framework?
6. Can the theory be used hand in hand with the research 1. The main concern for inquiry in the research
questions for the study? 2 The
2. Th kkey variables
i bl iin th
the research
h
7. Does the theoretical framework inform the literature 3. Read and review current related literature on the topic
review? using key word search.
8. Does the data analysis plan agrees with the selected 4. List the constructs and variables that might be relevant
theoretical framework? for the study.
9. Does the theoretical framework undergirds the 5. Consider how the variables are related to the theory
conclusions and recommendations based on the data
analysis?

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 How To Construct a Theoretical Where To Place The Theoretical
Framework Framework in A Thesis

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.
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.
„ 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 p
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

g structure of connected concepts
p that help
p
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).

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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,
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.
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).
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.
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 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.
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