Research Framework

Research Framework
Theory & Concept

Theory (noun)
 An idea or set of ideas that is intended to explain facts or events.
 The general principles or ideas that relate to a particular subject.
Framework
 a supporting structure around which something can be built
 The basic structure of something: a set of ideas or facts that provide support
for something.
Theoretical F r a m e w o r k s: Mandatory Ingredients To Quality Research

The theoretical framework explains the path of a research and grounds it
firmly in theoretical constructs. The overall aim of the framework is to make
research findings more meaningful, acceptable to the theoretical
constructs in the research field and ensures generalizability.
Generalizability
• It is referred to the extent to which research findings can be applied
to larger population.
They assist in stimulating research while ensuring the extension of

knowledge by providing both direction and impetus to the research inquiry. They
also enhance the empiricism and rigor of a research. Thus, it is no exaggeration to
say that both the theoretical and conceptual frameworks give life to a research.
Many academic papers fail to provide a good theoretical framework, so it can

be difficult for the reader to understand what the research is trying to achieve. If
you succeed in getting this part right, your research will gain a solid foundation and
your thesis’ purpose will become a lot more comprehensible to whoever reads your
work.
Theoretical Framework
A theoretical framework is the ‘blueprint’ or guide for a research (Grant &
Osanloo, 2014).It is a framework based on an existing theory in a field of inquiry
that is related and/or reflects the hypothesis of the study. It is a blueprint that is
often borrowed by the researcher to build his/her own house or research inquiry.
A theoretical framework guides your research, determining what things you
will measure, and what statistical relationships you will look for. It serves as the
foundation upon which a research is constructed.
The Importance of Theoretical Framework

The theoretical framework offers several benefits to a research work.
1. It provides the structure in showing how a researcher defines his/her study
philosophically, epistemologically, methodology and analytically (Grant &
Osanloo, 2014).
2. Ravitch and Carl (2016) concur that the theoretical framework assists
researchers in situating and contextualizing formal theories into their studies
as a guide. This positions their studies in scholarly and academic fashion.
3. Moreover, the theoretical framework serves as the focus for the research and
it is linked to the research problem under study. Therefore, it guides a
researcher’s choice of research design and data analysis plan.
4. The theoretical framework also guides the kind of data to be accrued for a
particular study (Lester, 2005).
5. The theoretical framework, thus, aids the researcher in finding an

appropriate research approach, analytical tools and procedures for his/her
research inquiry. It makes research findings more meaningful and
generalizable (Akintoye, 2015).
6. Imenda (2014) clearly posits that a research without the theoretical

framework lacks accurate direction to the search of appropriate literature and
scholarly discussions of the findings from the research.
7. For other scholars in the field of inquiry, the theoretical framework provides a
common worldview or lens from which to support one’s thinking about the
problem and analysis of data (Grant & Osanloo, 2014).
How to Select a Suitable Theoretical Framework?

There is no one perfect or right theory for a thesis, though certain theories
are popular (Grant & Osanloo, 2014). Yet, the adoption or adaptation of a theory
must reflect the understanding of the researcher regarding the study and must
drive the study (Simon & Goes, 2011). The selection of a theoretical framework
requires a thorough understanding of the problem, purpose, significance and
research questions of a study.
To make an appropriate selection of a theoretical context, the researcher
must consider the guiding principles of the study and situate the problem in relation
to it. The research questions of the study and the purpose of the study must entail
noticeable aspects of the theoretical framework and must agree with the assertions
promulgated by the theorists of the selected theory (Maxwell, 2004; LoBiondo-
Wood, 2010).
After the entire study has been conducted, the research findings accrued
from the study must corroborate, extend, or modify the existing theory that was
borrowed for the study (Lester, 2005). The researcher may critique, develop and/or
expand the theory that served as a guide for his/her study vis-à-vis the findings
gleaned from the study (Grant & Osanloo, 2014).
The Position of a Theoretical Framework in a Thesis

The student is supposed to select and clarify the theoretical framework from
the time the thesis topic is initially conceptualized (Dooyeweerd as cited in Sire,
2004).
Staunch researchers profess that the researcher’s choice of a theory must be
stated explicitly early in the writing of a thesis (Grant & Osanloo, 2014). This
popular view is not misplaced because Mertens (1998) argues that the theoretical
framework influences every decision made by the researcher in the carrying out of
the research. As such, it needs an early mention in a dissertation or thesis
writing.
How to Begin Writing your Theoretical Framework?
First and foremost, you should identify and describe your selected theory or
theories. This information should consist of the author(s) of the theory and details
regarding the original study, such as the population, purpose, and results. Providing
this information will help you to highlight why the theory you have selected is valid
for use in your study, and will make it easier for you to demonstrate how the theory
relates to your own study.
For example, if you conduct a study on employee engagement and opt to use
Maslow’s (1943) Hierarchy of Needs as your theoretical foundation, discussing the
fulfilment of needs as outlined in Maslow’s theory will help you to establish what his
theory is and why it is relevant to your research. Once that is done, you can discuss
how the fulfilment of needs (based on Maslow) relates to motivation in employees
and how your study will use Maslow’s theory to evaluate and address your
identified problem.
TIPS
Just as a research problem in your paper requires contextualization and
background information, a theory requires a framework for understanding its
application to the topic being investigated. In writing this part of your research
paper, keep in mind the following:
1. Clearly describe the framework, concepts, models, or specific
theories that underpin your study.
2. Position your theoretical framework within a broader context of
related frameworks, concepts, models, or theories.
3. The present tense is used when writing about theory.
Example of Theoretical Framework

As it has already been highlighted, the selection of a theory depends on the
discipline or field of research. Even within a particular discipline, a specific theory or
theories that resonate with the area of inquiry must be selected. The authors
illustrate this with an example of a study in Cultural Anthropology.
A student is undertaking a research into how the cultures of a group of
people influence their attitudes towards the environment. In such a scenario, there
are various theories in the field of study that agrees with the problem for
investigation. These include the Human Environment Relations Theory, The Culture
Theory, The Cultural Ecology Theory, Historical Ecology Theory, Environmental
Determinism Theory, Culture Determinism Theory and so forth.
Though these theories all postulate that people and their cultures have a
relation with the environment, their internal workings and approach to the subject
differs. Therefore, it is the student/researcher who has to read and deepen
his/her understanding of the theories, including the exponents, historical
background information of the theory, its exponents, its theoretical
constructs, and assumptions of its proponents, the strengths and
weaknesses before s/he can make an appropriate selection in line with the
problem and research questions laid out for the study.
Fig. 1 The Theoretical Framework Cultural Ecology Source: Adopted from Steward
(1968)

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Research Framework

Theory & Concept

Theoretical F r a m e w o r k s: Mandatory Ingredients To Quality Research

They assist in stimulating research while ensuring the extension of

Many academic papers fail to provide a good theoretical framework, so it can

The Importance of Theoretical Framework

5. The theoretical framework, thus, aids the researcher in ﬁnding an

6. Imenda (2014) clearly posits that a research without the theoretical

How to Select a Suitable Theoretical Framework?

The Position of a Theoretical Framework in a Thesis

Example of Theoretical Framework

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