A presentation on Theoretical framework and conceptual framework of a research.From this presentation you can know - 1) About theory and 4 types of theory 2) How to choose a suitable theoretical framework for your research 3) How to make a good conceptual framework for your research 4) Find out Independent variable and dependent variable of your problem statement 5) Relation between TF & CF relative to Quantitative and Qualitative methodology

1. Theoretical & Conceptual
Framework
Ikbal Ahmed
PhD Researcher
Binary University, Malaysia

2. Purpose of Theoretical and
Conceptual Framework
In general, both ‘conceptual’ and ‘theoretical’ frameworks
refer to the epistemological paradigm a researcher adopts in
looking at a given research problem – as Liehr and Smith
(1999: 12) point out, “each of these terms refers to a
structure” which guides the researcher.
In the same regard, Evans (2007: 8) opines that both
“theoretical and conceptual frames” help the reader
understand the reasons why a given researcher decides to
study a particular topic, the assumptions s/he makes, how
s/he conceptually grounds his/her approach, the scholars
s/he is in dialogue with, who s/he agrees and disagrees with.

3. A theory is a set of interrelated constructs (concepts), definitions, and
propositions that present a systematic view of phenomena by specifying
relations among variables, with the purpose of explaining and predicting the
phenomena. This definition says three things:
(1) A theory is a set of propositions consisting of defined and interrelated
constructs
(2) A theory sets out the interrelations among a set of variables (constructs)
(3) A theory explains phenomena; it does so by specifying which variables
are related to which variables and how they are related, thus enabling the
researcher to predict from certain variables to certain other variables.
There are four levels of theory development
1) factor isolating (describe phenomena)
2) Factor relating (explain phenomena)
3) Situation relating (predict the relationships between/among phenomena)
4) Situation producing (control phenomena and relationships) 3
Theory

4. Descriptive Theory
Descriptive Theories – also known as “Factor isolating theories”
• The primary level of theory development.
• They identify and describe major concepts of phenomena.
• They do not explain relationship of the concepts.
• Main purpose: to present a phenomenon based on the five
senses together with their corresponding meaning.
EXAMPLE: A descriptive research about the Filipino nursing
practices like use of herbal medicines and other alternative forms
of treatment.

5. Explanatory Theory
Explanatory Theories – also known as “Factor relating
theories”
• Theory that present relationship among concepts and
propositions.
• They aim to provide information on how or why concepts
are related.
• Cause and effect relationship are well explained in this
type of theory.
EXAMPLE: A research study about the factors
affecting newborns failing to thrive.

6. Predictive Theory
Predictive Theories – also known as “Situation relating
theories”
• They are achieved when the relationships of concepts
under a certain condition are able to describe future
outcomes consistently.
• This theory is generated and tested using experimental
research.
EXAMPLE: A Theoretical model based on the observation of
the effects of unsanitary environmental condition on the
recovery of the post-operative patients.

7. Prescriptive Theory
Prescriptive theories – also known as “Situation producing
theories”
• Deal with nursing actions, and test the validity and
certainty of a specific nursing intervention.
• This kind of theory is commonly used in testing new
nursing interventions.
EXAMPLE: Laurente’s theory validates and explains the
different nursing management in the emergency room
in relieving anxiety among its clients.

8. Examples of some Theories
Blended Learning
• Probable Theories
• Learning Theory
• Online Collaborative Learning
Curriculum
Development
• Probable Theories
• John Dewey’s Theory
• Curriculum Theory
• Tripp’s Theory
• Goodson’s Theory
• Actor Network Theory
Journalism • Theory of Society
• Democracy Theory
• Communication Theory
Area of Research

9. Research Framework
First, it is important to understand what a ‘framework’ is,
within the context of research.
Liehr and Smith (1999: 13) see a framework for research as a
structure that provides “guidance for the researcher as study
questions are fine-tuned, methods for measuring variables are
selected and analyses are planned”. Once data are collected
and analyzed, the framework is used as a mirror to check
whether the findings agree with the framework or whether
there are some discrepancies; where discrepancies exist, a
question is asked as to whether or not the framework can be
used to explain them.

10. Theoretical Framework
A theoretical framework refers to the
theory that a researcher chooses to
guide him/her in his/her research.
Thus, a theoretical framework is the
application of a theory, or a set of
concepts drawn from one and the same
theory, to offer an explanation of an
event, or shed some light on a
particular phenomenon or research
problem. This could refer to, for
instance, the Set theory, evolution,
quantum mechanics, particulate theory
of matter, or similar pre-existing
generalization – such as Newton’s
laws of motion, gas laws, that could be
applied to a given research problem,
deductively.

11. How to develop a Theoretical Framework
Here are some strategies to develop of an effective theoretical framework:
• 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.
• Brainstorm on what you consider to be the key variables in your research.
Answer the question, what factors contribute to the presumed effect?
• Review related literature to find answers to your research question.
• List the constructs and variables that might be relevant to your study.
Group these variables into independent and dependent categories.
• Review the key social science theories that are introduced to you in your
course readings and choose the theory or theories that can best explain the
relationships between the key variables in your study.
• Discuss the assumptions or propositions of this theory and point out their
relevance to your research. 11

12. The theoretical framework offers several benefits to a research work.
• It provides the structure in showing how a researcher defines his/her study
philosophically, epistemologically, methodology and analytically.
• The theoretical framework guides and should resonate with every aspect of
the research process from the definition of the problem, literature survey,
methodology, presentation and discussion of the findings as well as the
conclusions that are drawn.
• It guides a researcher’s choice of research design and data analysis plan.
• The theoretical framework also guides the kind of data to be accrued for a
particular study (Lester, 2005). 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.
The importance of Theoretical Framework

13. How to select a suitable Theoretical Framework
• There is no one perfect or right theory for a dissertation, though certain
theories are popular (Grant & Osanloo, 2014).
• The selection of a theoretical framework requires a thorough understanding
of the problem, purpose, significance and research questions of a study.
• This is important because when the selection is poorly done, it would be as if
the researcher is using a wrong bolt to forcibly fix a wrong nut.
• The chosen theoretical framework must accentuate the purpose and
importance of the study dissertation (Grant & Osanloo, 2014).
• 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).

14. The Position of a Theoretical Framework in a
Thesis/Dissertation Research
Many research instructors and postgraduate students usually
wonder where a theoretical framework is supposed to be placed
in a dissertation or thesis research. Many scholars suggest that
the theoretical framework needs to be shown readers right at the
onset of the thesis writing. The student is supposed to select and
clarify the theoretical framework from the time the dissertation
topic is initially conceptualized (Dooyeweerd as cited in Sir e,
2004).
Staunch researchers profess that the researcher’s choice of a
theory must be stated explicitly early in the writing of a
dissertation (Grant & Osanloo, 2014).

15. CONCEPTS
A concept is a generalized idea about a class of objects,
attributes, occurrences, or processes that has been given a
name. In other words a concept is an idea expressed as a
symbol or in words. Natural science concepts are often
expressed in symbolic forms. Most social science concepts are
expressed as words. Words, after all, are symbols too; they are
symbols we learn with language. Height is a concept with
which all of you are familiar. In a sense, a language is merely
an agreement to represent ideas by sound or written characters
that people learned at some point in their lives. Learning
concepts and theory is like learning language.

16. Conceptual Framework
A conceptual framework is a structure which the researcher believes
can best explain the natural progression of the phenomenon to be
studied. It is the researcher’s explanation of how the research problem
would be explored.
Theoretical framework refers to previous theories,
frameworks, models that you were reviewing during literature
review. Normally, a researcher will develop his or her conceptual
framework underpinned on some theoretical frameworks that s/he has
reviewed. Usually, without theoretical frameworks to support your
conceptual framework, you might expose to questioning during article
review / thesis viva examination.
Conceptual framework is the one to be developed by the new
researcher and theoretical framework is something which already been
developed by other researchers

17. The Importance of Conceptual Framework
The conceptual framework offers many benefits to a research-
• It assists the researcher in identifying and constructing his/her
worldview on the phenomenon to be investigated.
• It is the simplest way through which a researcher presents his/her
asserted remedies to the problem s/he has defined.
• It accentuates the reasons why a research topic is worth studying, the
assumptions of a researcher, the scholars s/he agrees with and
disagrees with and how s/he conceptually grounds his/her approach.
• The conceptual framework is mostly used by researchers when
existing theories are not applicable or sufficient in creating a firm
structure for the study.

18. The Position of a Conceptual
Framework in a Research
The conceptual framework is mostly placed in the chapter
where the literature survey was discussed. It is in this
chapter that the theoretical perspectives of the main
variables or constructs are rigorously reviewed. In most
dissertation or thesis papers, the literature survey is
discussed in chapter two.

19. Example of TF & CF

20. Example of TF & CF (Continue…..)

21. Independent Variable (IV) and Dependent Variable (DV)
Examples of conceptual models (courtesy of: W.
Heijs):
A. Bivariate model that communicates that
household income is assumed to determine what
local shop people go to buy their groceries;
B. Multivariate model that communicates that the
combination of household income, car ownership
and age (the 3 independent variables) influence i.
what shop people go to and ii. how much they
spend in that shop (the 2 dependent variables);
C. Interactive, conditional model that communicates
that choice of local shop (dependent variable) is
determined by household income (main
independent variable) but with a 'background
influence' of car ownership (having or not having
a car); in this case car ownership is the moderator
or interaction variable
D. Indirect model that theorizes that choice of local
shop (dependent variable) is determined by
household income (independent variable) but
with an intermediary influence of car ownership;
in this case car ownership is regarded as the
mediator or intervening variable.

22. Relation between Conceptual &
Theoretical Framework
A theoretical framework refers to the
theory that a researcher chooses to guide
him/her in his/her research. Thus, a
theoretical framework is the application
of a theory, or a set of concepts drawn
from one and the same theory, to offer
an explanation of an event, or shed some
light on a particular phenomenon or
research problem.
This could refer to, for instance, the Set
theory, evolution, quantum mechanics,
particulate theory of matter, or similar
pre-existing generalization – such as
Newton’s laws of motion, gas laws, that
could be applied to a given research
problem, deductively

23. Typical relationships between the Theoretical Framework
(TF) and Conceptual Framework (CF) relative to the
qualitative and quantitative research paradigms.
Illustrates the interplay among the
three sets of dimensions of
a) Deductive versus inductive
reasoning
b) Conceptual versus theoretical
frameworks, relative to
c) Qualitative and quantitative
research paradigms.
In deductive research, researchers normally
use a dominant theory to address a given
research problem, while in inductive research,
many aspects of different theoretical
perspectives are brought together to build up
a generalization with enough “power” to
guide the study (Liehr and Smith 1999: 13)

24. Thank You!