The role of theory in

research
Theoretical and conceptual
frameworks

Three ways of thinking about

theory
That which underpins research design
Theory as paradigm

That which may inform our

understanding of the phenomenon
under investigation
Theory as a lens

That which may emerge from our study

Theory as new knowledge

Theory as paradigm
Philosophical assumptions about what
constitutes social reality (ontology)
What we accept as valid evidence of
that reality (epistemology)
The means by which we investigate
that context (methodology)
The means by which we gather
evidence (methods)

4 key paradigm questions

1. What do we believe exists? (Ontology)
Fundamental beliefs that someone holds about
the nature of the social world and its
relationship to individual social actors.
Social reality exists independent of the observer
Social reality is constructed by people in particular
social, cultural and historical contexts

2. What constitutes reliable & valid

knowledge? (Epistemology)
Causal relationships between observable
phenomena
Interpretations of meaning

4 key paradigm questions

(contd.)
How we produce reliable and valid
knowledge? (Methodology)
What Strategies of inquiry (Creswell) are
appropriate to our ontological/epistemological
position
(descriptive/confirmatory <-> explanatory/exploratory)
(Flat world theory <-> Exploring other cultures)

How can we collect data to test our theories

or describe social phenomena? (Methods)
What data collection approaches/tools are
appropriate to the the methodology

Models of social research

1. Qualitative study
An inquiry which seeks to understand social phenomena
through the exploration and interpretation of the meanings
people attach to, and make sense of, their experiences of the
social world

Associated with the Interpretive paradigm

Key principle: Subjectivity/interpretation
Theory developed: during and/or after (a
posteriori) the study (theory generation)
Process: Inductive

Models of social research

2. Quantitative study
An inquiry based on testing a theory composed of
variables, measured with numbers and analysed with
statistical procedures, in order to determine whether
the predictive generalisations of the theory hold true

Associated with: Post/positivist

paradigm
Key principle: Objectivity
Theory stated: before (a priori) the
study (theory verification)
Process: Deductive

Models of social research

3. Mixed-method study
Qualitative and quantitative strategies used
in a single study

Concurrent:
Quantitative and qualitative strategies
employed in parallel
Sequential:
Qualitative informs quantitative (or vice versa)
Brannen
Denscombe
Denzin
Johnson & Onwuegbuzie
Teddlie & Tashakkori

Theory as a lens
Existing theory(s) which seek to explain how
aspects of social reality work (models). E.g.
Models of learning
Behaviourist (Skinner); Constructivist (Piaget); Social
constructivist (Vygotsky); Deep learning (Anderson)

Models of professional/expertise development

Situated learning; Communities of practice (Lave;
Wenger)

Models of second language acquisition

Krashens SLA theory; Oxfords S2R;

Theory as new knowledge

Adaptation, revision or confirmation
of existing theory
Generation of new theory
Relates to conceptual framework

Conceptual framework
A written or visual presentation that:
explains either graphically, or in
narrative form, the main things to be
studied the key factors, concepts or
variables - and the presumed
relationship among them
(Miles and Huberman, 1994, P18)

Conceptual framework
Quantitative research
Typically developed after literature review
Provides the structure/content for the whole
study based on literature and personal
experience
Revisited at the conclusion of the study

Qualitative research
Initial framework after literature review
Further developed as participants views and
issues are gathered and analysed.