Organizing Theoretical

& Constructing
Conceptual Framework
Theories - are formulated to explain, predict,
and understand phenomena and, in
many cases, to challenge and
extend existing knowledge, within
the limits of the critical bounding
assumptions.
 -is the structure that can hold or
The support a theory of a research
theoretical study.
framework
-introduces and describes the
theory which explains why the
research problem under study
exists.
 Importance of Theory
A theoretical framework consists of concepts, together with their
definitions, and existing theory/theories that are used for your
particular study.

◦ must demonstrate an understanding of theories and concepts that are

relevant to the topic of your research paper and that will relate it to the
broader fields of knowledge in the class you are taking.

The theoretical framework is not something that is found readily

available in the literature.

◦ must review course readings and pertinent research literature for theories
and analytic models that are relevant to the research problem you are
investigating.
◦ selection of a theory should depend on its appropriateness, ease of
application, and explanatory power.
Theoretical framework strengthens the study in
the following ways.
1.An explicit statement of theoretical assumptions permits the reader to
evaluate them critically.

2.The theoretical framework connects the researcher to existing

knowledge. Guided by a relevant theory, you are given a basis for your
hypotheses and choice of research methods.

3.Articulating the theoretical assumptions of a research study forces you

to address questions of why and how. It permits you to move from simply
describing a phenomenon observed to generalizing about various
aspects of that phenomenon.

4.Having a theory helps you to identify the limits to those generalizations.

A theoretical framework specifies which key variables influence a
phenomenon of interest. It alerts you to examine how those key variables
might differ and under what circumstances.
 I. Developing the Framework
Here are some strategies to develop of an effective theoretical framework:
1.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.
2.Brainstorm on what you consider to be the key variables in your research.
Answer the question, what factors contribute to the presumed effect?
3.Review related literature to find answers to your research question.
4.List the constructs and variables that might be relevant to your study. Group
these variables into independent and dependent categories.
5.Discuss the assumptions or propositions of this theory and point out their
relevance to your research.
A theoretical framework is used to limit the scope of the relevant data by focusing on specific variables
and defining the specific viewpoint (framework) that the researcher will take in analyzing and interpreting
the data to be gathered, understanding concepts and variables according to the given definitions, and
building knowledge by validating or challenging theoretical assumptions.
 Purpose
Think of theories as the conceptual basis for understanding,
analyzing, and designing ways to investigate relationships within
social systems. To the end, the following roles served by a theory
can help guide the development of your framework.
1. Means by which new research data can be interpreted and
coded for future use,
2. Response to new problems that have no previously identified
solutions strategy,
3. Means for identifying and defining research problems,
4. Means for prescribing or evaluating solutions to research
problems,
 Purpose
5. Way of telling us that certain facts among the accumulated
knowledge are important and which facts are not,
6. Means of giving old data new interpretations and new
meaning,
7. Means by which to identify important new issues and
prescribe the most critical research questions that need to be
answered to maximize understanding of the issue,
8. Means of providing members of a professional discipline with
a common language and a frame of reference for defining
boundaries of their profession, and
9. Means to guide and inform research so that it can, in turn,
guide research efforts and improve professional practice.
 Tips in writing the theoretical framework
In writing this part of your research paper, keep in mind the following:
Clearly describe the framework, concepts, models, or specific
theories that underpin your study. This includes noting who the key
theorists are in the field who have conducted research on the problem
you are investigating and, when necessary, the historical context that
supports the formulation of that theory. This latter element is particularly
important if the theory is relatively unknown or it is borrowed from another discipline.

Position your theoretical framework within a broader context of

related frameworks, concepts, models, or theories. There will likely be
several concepts, theories, or models that can be used to help develop
a framework for understanding the research problem. Therefore, note
why the framework you've chosen is the appropriate one.
Conceptual framework
represents the researcher’s synthesis of literature on how to
explain a phenomenon.
maps out the actions required in the course of the study given
his previous knowledge of other researchers’ point of view and
his observations on the subject of research.
is used to illustrate what you expect to find through your
research, including how the variables you are considering might
relate to each other.
 should be constructed before the investigation.
are particularly common when the research involves hypothesis
testing. In this situation, a framework can be used to review your
hypotheses or explore if you can scientifically prove a particular
idea.
Variables
oit’s important to identify the relevant variables
o map your expectations using a conceptual framework to scientifically
demonstrates the cause-effect relationship
Designing a conceptual framework
The basic design components are boxes, arrows, and lines:
oCreate a box for each variable.
oUse arrows to indicate cause-effect relationships. Each arrow should
start from the variable that has causal influence and point to the
variable that is being affected.
oUse a line when you expect a correlation between two variables, but
no cause-effect relationship.

Component Meaning
Box Variable
Arrow Causal influence (cause-effect relationship)
Line Connection (correlation)
Expanding the conceptual
framework
A conceptual framework doesn’t have to be limited to just independent
and dependent variables; other types of variables can be incorporated
as well. Depending on your research, you may wish to show additional
facets of a cause-effect relationship by introducing one or more of the
following:
1. A moderator variable alters the effect that an independent variable
has on a dependent variable, on the basis of the moderator’s value. The
moderator thus changes the effect component of the cause-effect
relationship between the two variables. This moderation is also referred
to as the interaction effect.
2. A mediator variable comes between an independent variable and a
dependent variable in a cause-effect relationship and allows that
relationship to be better explained.
3. Control variables are generally not a main area of focus but they have
an effect on the dependent variable, and by extension on the
independent variable. If you omit control variables from your study, the
results will be less accurate.
How to Choose a Theoretical
Framework for My Dissertation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdXVq_9aoms
Dissertation Writing: Theoretical
and Conceptual Framework -
Prof B. McArthur - PART 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oajkUf2TsAo
Adapted from:
Orrico, J. (n.d.). Research guides: Shu library home: home. Retrieved July 8, 2020, from
https://library.sacredheart.edu/c.php?g=489381&p=3345434
Other references:
Youtube. (n.d.). Retrieved July 8, 2020, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oajkUf2TsAo
Youtube. (n.d.). Retrieved July 8, 2020, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdXVq_9aoms
Suggested readings:
https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1058505.pdf
Pdf)Theoretical and conceptual framework: Mandatory ingredients of a quality
research. (n.d.). ResearchGate. Retrieved July 8, 2020, from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322204158_THEORETICAL_AND_CONCE
PTUAL_FRAMEWORK_MANDATORY_INGREDIENTS_OF_A_QUALITY_RESEARCH
Activity 5
1. Conduct theoretical review and analysis you plan to explore.
2. Develop and write the theoretical framework.
3. Formulate the hypothesis of the study.
4. Construct the conceptual frame work of your study.