Theoretical and Conceptual Frameworks PDF

THEORETICAL AND CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORKS Session objectives By the end of the session the learner should be able to:  Explain the concept of theoretical framework Develop a theoretical framework in research Describe the significance of a theoretical framework in research. Describe a conceptual...

THEORETICAL AND CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORKS Session objectives By the end of the session the learner should be able to:  Explain the concept of theoretical framework Develop a theoretical framework in research Describe the significance of a theoretical framework in research. Describe a conceptual framework Distinguish between a theoretical framework and a conceptual framework. State the features of a conceptual What is a theoretical framework?  A theoretical framework is a summary of the researcher’s theory regarding a particular problem that is developed through a review of previously tested knowledge of variables involved. It identifies a plan for investigation and interpretation of the findings.  It relates to philosophical basis on which the research takes place and form the link between the theoretical aspects and practical components of the investigation undertaken. Therefore it’’ has implications for every decision made in the research process’’(Mertens,1998,3) THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK What is a theoretical framework? Theoretical framework can be considered as a conceptual model that establishes a sense of structure that guides the research process. It includes the variables a researcher intends to measure and relationships he/she seeks to understand. Essentially, this is where a researcher develops a “theory” and build his/her case for investigating that theory. The theoretical framework is the researcher’s presentation of a theory that explains a particular problem and it is not based on his/her suspicions alone. Theoretical framework in a research report Theoretical framework is presented in the early section of a dissertation mainly in chapter two of the report and provides the rationale for conducting your research to investigate a particular research problem.  It involves a well-supported rationale and is organized in a manner that helps the reader understand and asses the perspective of the researcher. When developing a theoretical framework: The researcher start by describing what is known about the variables involved, what is known about their relationship, and what can be explained thus far. One need to to investigate other researchers’ theories behind these relationships and identify a theory (or a combination of theories) that explain his/her major research problem. When developing a theoretical framework: (cont’d) The researcher need to consider alternative theories that might challenge his/her perspective. One also considers the limitations associated with his/her theory and quite possibly that problem could be better understood by other theoretical frameworks. Significance of a theoretical framework It helps the researcher to consider other possible frameworks and to reduce biases that may sway the researcher’s interpretation. It clarifies researcher’s implicit theory in a manner that is more clearly defined. Significance of a theoretical framework It demonstrates that the relationships proposed by the researcher are not based on his/her personal instincts or guesses, but rather formed from facts obtained from authors of previous research. The theoretical framework allows a researcher to present the research problem in light of summary of the literature. Significance of a theoretical framework It shows the reader why the researcher thinks that the variables involved are related and the inclusion of previous research and theories that support researcher’s belief are essential to defending the rationale.  It determines how the researcher perceives, make sense of, and interpret his/her data. Explanation of theoretical framework helps the reader understand the researchers' perspective and context. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK What is a conceptual framework?  Mugenda and Mugenda (2003), define a conceptual framework as a hypothesized model identifying the concepts under study and their relationships. It provides an outline of the preferred approach in the research and also outlines the relationships and the desired effects, forming independent and dependent variables respectively.  It also a schematic representation showing the relationship between different types of variables involved in the study such as relationship between independent variables and the dependent variable. (Tidwell,2012) What is a conceptual framework? It’s the researcher’s own position on the problem and gives direction to the study. Consists of concepts that are placed within a logical and sequential design. It represents less formal structure and used for studies in which existing theory is incapable or insufficient. Its based on specific concepts and propositions, derived from empirical observation and intuition. What is a conceptual framework? Miles and Huberman (1994) in Corry and Stella (2012)defined a conceptual framework as a visual or written product, one that “explains, either graphically or in narrative form, the main things to be studied—the key factors, concepts, or variables—and the presumed relationships among them” (p. 18).1 Conceptual framework is a network, or “a plane,” of interlinked concepts that together provide a comprehensive understanding of a phenomenon or phenomena. Features of conceptual frameworks The main features of conceptual frameworks are as follows:  1. A conceptual framework is not merely a collection of concepts but, rather, a construct in which each concept plays an integral role. According to Miles and Huberman (1994), a conceptual framework “lays out the key factors, constructs, or variables, and presumes relationships among them” (p. 440). To discourage loose usage of the term conceptual framework, I propose basing conceptual frameworks not on variable or factors but on concepts alone. When variables or factors are used, I suggest employing the term model. Features of conceptual frameworks 2. A conceptual framework provides not a causal/analytical setting but, rather, an interpretative approach to social reality.  3. Rather than offering a theoretical explanation, as do quantitative models, conceptual frameworks provide understanding.  4. A conceptual framework provides not knowledge of “hard facts” but, rather, “soft interpretation of intentions” (Levering, 2002, p. 38). Features of conceptual frameworks  5. Conceptual frameworks are indeterminist in nature and therefore do not enable us to predict an outcome. Levering (2002) has suggested that “the idea that human behavior can be explained and predicted is roughly based on the concept of external factors being caught in an accidental cohesion, and the idea that human actions can be understood, but not predicted, is based on the concept of freedom” (p. 38).  6. Conceptual frameworks can be developed and constructed through a process of qualitative analysis. Example of conceptual framework Moderating variable Dependent Independent variable variables Fig.1 conceptual framework REFERENCES  Mugenda, O.M. & Mugenda, A.G. (2003). Research methods: Quantitative and qualitative approaches.2nd. Rev. ed. Nairobi: Act press.  Jabareen,Y(2009).International journal of qualitative methods,Technion—Israel Institute of Technology Technion City, Haifa, Israel.  Tidwell, w (2012) writing a conceptual framework, Ashford university, ITT technical institute, Westwood college. http://www.slideshare.net/wtidwell/writing-a- conceptual-framework?next_slideshow=2 Accessed on 29th July 2015 REFERENCES Corry, M, and Stella,J.,(2012)Developing a framework for research in online K-12 distance education." Quarterly Review of Distance Education 13.3 (2012): 133+. Academic OneFile. Web. 29 July 2015. http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do THANK YOU