Discussion

3. What is a theoretical lens.
Discuss the importance of a theoretical lens in writing a

qualitative research? Cite the sources for your discussion (not less than 5 sources).
Theoretical lens basically refers to theories and theoretical perspectives deemed
relevant to the researcher’s study. A certain theory could be applied as a framework to
guide the study, theory building as a result of data collection and a theory of research
paradigm and method. There is however, an inextricable presence of theory in the
process of obtaining knowledge and in describing facts as theory-laden. Theoretical lens
influences the research to arrive at observation statements. Theories are technically very
crucial in conducting qualitative approach of researches.
Discussions of theory in qualitative research relate to the theories that ground a
methodological approach (e.g., phenomenology, ethnography, narrative) or the
epistemological paradigms that guide a study (e.g., postpositivist, constructivist,
critical). Glesne’s (2011) exposition of philosophical frameworks, methodological
considerations, and associated theorists is useful for unpacking the varying layers that go
into a theoretical framework. Understanding theories that influence methodological and
epistemological decisions for a study is critical, but there may be room for more
clarification between the use of theories of method and the theoretical framework.
Theories that are therefore relevant to the researcher’s study guide give a clearer
perspective prior to its actual conduct.
Saldaña (2015) challenged the notion that theory construction should be the
primary type of theoretical thought in qualitative research and urged researchers to
consider utilizing the frameworks of noted theorists to guide qualitative studies.
Frameworks of noted theorists could be a significant ground to lead the researcher’s
perception on their researches without necessarily jumping into overreliance with it.
Maxwell (2013) defined a conceptual framework as a tentative theory about the
phenomena being studied that informs entirety of the study’s design, noting that “this may
also be called the ‘theoretical framework’ or ‘idea context’ for the study” (p. 39). The use
of this theory assists the researcher in refining goals, developing research questions,
discerning methodological choices, identifying potential threats to validity, and
demonstrating the relevance of the research. A theory can also shed light on observations
and data that might be overlooked or misinterpreted with the spotlight of an existing
theory. Two ways researchers fail to use existing theory effectively are, according to
Maxwell, to be overly reliant or uncritical of the theory or to fail to use it enough. It is an
important consideration to make theories a backbone of observed phenomena in a
conducted research. Theory based results could either conform or negate with an existing
theory which could lead into abduction when the latter is revealed.
Anfara and Mertz (2015) addressed the topic of theoretical frameworks in
qualitative research quite comprehensively in their recent work. They identified three
primary understandings of theory in qualitative research: (1) theory is not important in
qualitative research, (2) theory only informs epistemologies and methodologies, and (3)
theory is “more pervasive and influential” (p. 11) than methodology alone and should
guide many of the researcher’s choices in a qualitative study. Theories give the
researchers a hint to have an overview of the chosen topic for study. A theory is not
important in a qualitative approach of research in general. However, it is a guide to
researchers because an observed statements need a literature to support its claim.
Theories are used to help design a research question, guide the selection of
relevant data, interpret data, propose explanations of the underlying causes or influences
of observed phenomena (Reeves, Kuper, & Albert, 2008, p. 633). Hence, theories are
critical to factor in on researches as this could be used as references of the results in a
study. As such, a theory to a research is akin to a roof to a house or a foundation to a
building.

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3. What is a theoretical lens.

Discuss the importance of a theoretical lens in writing a

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