This is the complete guide on the theoretical framework in research. Here you’ll learn what a theoretical framework is, how to structure it, and how to create one.
Researchers formulate theories to explain, understand, and predict phenomena with the intention to challenge and expand on the existing knowledge within the boundaries of their assumptions. By using a theoretical framework, researchers can easily introduce and explicitly explain why the research problem under investigation exists in the first place.
To be clear, a theoretical framework isn’t just a list of concepts, definitions, and existing theories. It must provide a clear demonstration that shows you understand the concepts and theories in relation to the field of study that you’re currently investigating.
What is a Theoretical Framework?
A theoretical framework is a compilation of all research findings used to explain the connected concepts developed from one or more theories. Ideally, the theoretical framework enables you to not only explain your theories but also present your research in a relevant academic debate.
The framework includes:
- Definition of terms: Definition of terms in the theoretical framework provides a point of reference for the reader, as it explains the meaning of common terms, words, or phrases used in your scientific document.
- Logical connections: Connects terms, theories, and ideas in a logical order so that a reader finds them easy to read and understand. A strong logical connection can go a long way to support the theories you make in the process of scientific questioning and testing.
- Explanation of theories: A theoretical framework can have one or more theories. You should provide a clear explanation for each and make sure your description shows how each of your theories relate to your research.
In thesis and dissertation writing, the framework can be part of the review of the existing literature or have its own chapter in the assignment. Having a separate section is particularly useful in the case where the research involves dealing with a number of complex theories.
Learning institutions don’t have fixed rules for creating a theoretical framework. All that matters is that you create a clear, logical structure that you can use for authentic and comprehensive research.
What Role Does Theoretical Framework Play in Research?
The primary goal of developing a theoretical framework is to have a structure that you can use to support your research and theories. It allows you to not only define terms and phrase but also to logically connect the ideas you already have.
The theoretical framework strengthens your research study in at least six significant ways.
- In addition to outlining significant variables that influence a phenomenon of interest, a theoretical framework make it easy to examine the variables under different circumstances in which they might differ.
- Having a theoretical framework gives you the opportunity to evaluate your assumptions critically.
- You can use a theoretical framework to organize complex documents into formats that are easy to read. Doing so makes it easy for you to coordinate the ideas that you have with supporting research.
- Since a theoretical framework includes a relevant theory, you can easily connect to the already existing knowledge and have a solid basis for your hypothesis as well as research methods you choose to use.
- A theoretical framework puts in a position where you have to address the questions of why and how. You not only describe a situation but also give the various aspect of that particular phenomenon.
- The framework makes it easy for you to explain how your theories align with existing studies as well as your own. With this structure, you have a foundation you can use to expand your research ideas, test additional theories, and disapprove or support hypothesis.
In general, a theoretical framework is significant in research because it’s a useful mean, which you can identify and explain the meaning, nature, value, and challenges of experienced yet unexplained situation in the world in which you live. The knowledge you gain with the help of a theoretical framework is incredibly useful as it helps you to act in a more informed way.
How to Develop a Theoretical Framework
Developing a theoretical framework isn’t difficult, especially since there are no fixed rules to follow. You can do this by:
1. Defining Your Objective
Examining your thesis title and research problem, which anchors the study and forms the foundation necessary for developing the theoretical framework.
This is where you define the objective of your research and where you consider what you intend to achieve with your research. Your objective should be clear and concise, written in a way that readers can easily understand.
Follow this with a clear problem statement, which is the definition of the study and the problem you wish to address. The statement doesn’t have to be in-depth. Use simple words, sentences, and phrases to ex plain the purpose of the study.
Once you identify the research problem, construct a research question, which will be the basis of your theories or hypothesis. A research problem is important because it helps your readers to understand the information you seek and the purpose of your study.
2. Identify the Dependent and Independent Variables
Identify and brainstorm the most significant variables and determine the factors that are the likely contributors of the presumed effect.
3. Examine the Existing Literature
Look at the already existing literature. This will help you find sufficient answers to your research question. By looking at existing literature, it should become clear how other researchers defined and drew their connections of key concepts, and this is quite useful in the development of your theoretical framework.
Next, identify the constructs and variables relevant to your study, making sure you group them accordingly into dependent and independent variables.
Look at the primary theories taught in your course and choose the ones that can best explain the link between the dependent and independent variables in your study. Finalize by discussing the proposition of the theory, making sure you explain how relevant the theory is to your current research.