Research Framework

A framework is defined as “a set of idea that provides support to something” (Merriam-Webster, n.d).
Essentially, any concept or theory requires a strong framework to establish its general feasibility. In case of research,
it serves as the building blocks for the foundation of the study. There are two types of research framework:
theoretical and conceptual framework.

Theoretical framework
According to Reyes (2004), the term theoretical framework is a detailed discussion of the organized body
of knowledge or a set of propositions firmly based on a series of observed phenomena and empirical data that are
duly supported by the thinking of well - known authorities on the subject. In the field of scientific research the
theoretical framework may be the basic anchor upon which the researcher’s is moored to gain a total critical
perspective of the investigation he would like to pursue. It becomes the basis on which the legitimacy of his study is
placed and as such identifies the academic discipline where he is conducting his study.
Moreover, the theoretical framework provides the researcher just the knowledge, the issues, the data he
needs to focus on. It stipulates the specific frame of mind the researcher should take; the concepts he should explore
as he brainstorms through the fields of academic discipline he is interested in, the specific variables and their
corresponding relationships; and the subsequent new knowledge he should generate as the final outcome of his
study.
The theoretical framework shapes the justification of the research problem or research objectives in order to
provide the legal basis for defining its parameters. It is desirable for an investigator to identify key concepts that are
used in the study for better understanding of the role of the theory in research.
According to Calmorin & Calmorin (2007), theoretical framework is a symbolic construction which uses
abstracts concepts, facts or laws, variables and their relations that explain and predict how an observed phenomenon exist
and operates. A researcher is required to formulate existing theories which link, the study because theories are useful
devise for interpreting, criticizing, and unifying established scientific laws or facts that serves as guide in discovering new
generalizations.
Garcia (2003) cited that, a researcher should formulate his theoretical framework because of the following
reasons:
1. It helps the researcher see clearly the variables of the study.
2. It can provide him with a general framework for data analysis.
3. It is essential in preparing a research proposal using descriptive and experimental methods.
Elements of the Theoretical Framework
 Since the theoretical framework prefaces the entire study of the by providing background information, it should
be supported by established facts from different resources materials. In order to formulate the framework of the study, the
following major elements should be present (Cristobal
& Cristobal, 2017).
1. Relevant theories - these are theories that are partially or fully relevant to the present study and are
discussed to provide a basis for the variable being tested.
2. Review of related literature - these are published materials that compare the study with the existing
knowledge on the research topic. This part defines, classifies, and facilitates objective comprehension of
the variables being studied.
3. Review of related studies - this part includes the theses or dissertation on research topic carrying the same
variables. The findings from the previous studies define the approach that the researcher took in measuring
the variables.
4. Paradigm of the study - this is a diagrammatic presentation of the study used to visually summarize the
whole study. It is the result of a clear understanding of the theoretical or conceptual framework. It is
usually comprised of symbols and figures such as lines, shapes, and arrows.
In a study on the personal values and job performance of the non - teaching personnel in one university in the
NCR, Bermejo (1998) presented his theoretical framework in this manner.

The study was premised on the theory that values affect an individual’s performance on the job. Values
according to Bernard and Haijzler (1993) are ideas, belief, and thought we hold ourselves, other people, and the
world. Such conceptions determine how we think, feel and act. Furthermore, these attitudes and ideas people
hold can determine strongly their direction, adjustment and satisfaction. They are factors that can determine the
levels of an individual performance of his work.

According to Andres (1991), values help behavior modification, such as improving job performance. He
further stated that each worker brings to his job certain likes and dislikes, as well as personality traits, which
make up his value set. When this value set conflicts with those on the job, then the job suffers. This conflict can
result in poor work attitude, absenteeism, tardiness, low productivity, and general discontentment for the worker,
as well as those around him.

Relative to values and attitudes, a number of factors a person’s performance of his job. Cooper (1991) and D’
Sauza (1990) mention power, friendship and stress as some of them.
 Human connectedness, a positive and supportive social network also helps to make an employee work more
productively. Personal relationship can also make a difference on how one feels at work, and how effective a
person is on the job.

INDEPENDENT DEPENDENT VARIABLE

VARIABLE JOB PERFORMANCE

PERSONAL VALUES

Paradigm of the theoretical Frame work

The researcher, therefore, theorized that the personal values of the respondents can affect their job
performance.

Based on the foregoing example, how was the theoretical framework formulated. An analysis of the above
illustration reveals that the researcher did the following:
● Specified the theory used as basis for the study;
● Mentioned the proponents of the study;
● Cited the main points emphasized in the theory
● Supported his exposition of the theory by ideas from the other experts;
● Illustrated his theoretical framework by means of a diagram or paradigms;
● Ended up the reiterating his theoretical proposition in the study.
Developing the Theoretical Framework
A theoretical Framework serves as the basis of the research. It points out, through its cited theories, which
specific variables will be the focus of the study. In doing so, the approach that the researcher will adopt in evaluation
and interpretation of the data is better established. It also prefaces the new knowledge introduced in the research by
validating or challenging theoretical assumptions. Thus writing theoretical framework provides the readers a better
understanding of the research study.
The University of South California (2016), provides the following strategies in formulating the theoretical
framework:
 1. Examine your thesis title and research problem - the research problem should be well - founded since it
serves as the foundation of the theoretical framework.
2. Brainstorm about what is considered as the key variables in the research - the factors that are presumed to
have significant bearing on the results of the study should be identified.
3. Review related literature and studies - the basis of the research should be supported by relevant literature
and studies from the authors who had conducted an extensive research on the topic.
4. List the constructs and variables. Constructs are information from observation while variables are
research factors that are measured in the study. These should be identified to create the framework.
5. Review the theories - the theories that best explain the relationship between the key variables in the study
should be identified.
6. Discuss the assumptions or propositions - the relevance of the cited theories to the research should be
established to effectively the framework of the study.
Conceptual Framework
Generally a study is based on the concepts or ideas of the person making the study. From the review of
related literature, the researcher can formulate a theoretical scheme for his/her research problem. This scheme is a
tentative or theoretical explanation of the phenomenon or problem he /she is going to investigate and it serves as the
basis of formulating the research hypotheses (Elequin et al., 1977). Thus, the conceptual framework consists of the
investigator’s own position on a problem after his /her exposure to various theories that have bearing on the
problem. It is the researcher’s new model which has its roots in the previous models the researcher has read.
Conceptual Framework is the basic structure that serves as a mental window of the researcher because it
depicts the research design and the relationship of the variables involved.
According to Reyes (2004), the crystallization of the research brought about by the variables and their indicated
dimension and relationship will be reflected in a conceptual framework. It becomes a concrete guide to research that will
follow. Basically, the framework must reflect structure, causal mechanism, and prediction. Structure refers to the variables
considered with their corresponding relationships. These relationships must reveal a causal mechanism involved as to what
causes what; what factor factors or correlative relations are suspected to come about; or what significant differences may
exist in the ensuring interplay of such relations.
The causal mechanism as reflected in the framework must lead to a predicted set of result as a consequence
of the investigation. Hence, new concepts and new relations will be formulated at the conclusion of the study.
 Hence, the conceptual framework is considered an important component of any research process. A well
defined framework becomes a firm factor upon which the whole research activity is based. It is a refinement of a
well - focused study with detailed specification of the once abstract concepts but now operationalised to result into
an empirical observation.
Moreover, the conceptual framework provides the scope and delineation of the research activity, showing
the extent of the parameters of the variables under investigation. Again, a well - defined framework provides the
linkage between the relations of the past researches relevant to the present study by showing what variables have
been excluded or have not been considered such variables were not considered significant in the past, or what other
factors have been missed out in past researchers but are now considered.
A conceptual framework is a written or visual presentation that explains geographically or in narrative
form, the main things to be studied, the key factors, concepts or variables and the presumed relationship among them
(Almeida et al, 2016).
What specific forms might a conceptual framework take?
The possibilities include: flowcharts, tree diagram, shaped - based diagram, triangles concentric circles,
overlapping circles, mind maps, and software systems.
Examine a sample conceptual framework developed by Hernandez in 1998, for his research conceptual
framework academic performance in high school mathematics.

Attitudes in Mathematics

Academic Performance
in Mathematics
Teaching Strategies

Student variables

Teacher variables