n Theoretical Framework and Conceptual Framework: Rudiments of A Good Research

n INTRODUCTION

• CF is an explanation of how a researcher sees the different concepts and outcomes of

study and its relations with each other.

• It can be developed from the researcher's personal experience, previous studies, or from
more than one theory or models

• A written or visual presentation that:“explains either graphically, or by narration, the main

things to be studied – the key factors, concepts or variables - and the presumed
relationship among them”. (Miles and Huberman, 1994, P18)

n Purposes

n Keeps research on track

n Provides clear links from the literature to the research goals

and questions

n Helps the researcher to see clearly the variables of the study

n Clarifies concepts and propose relationships among concepts

n Provides an organizing structure for the research design and

methods.

n Useful to prepare research proposal using experimental or descriptive methods

n Guides the development and testing of interventions and hypotheses

n Provides general framework for data analysis

n The interpretation of findings flows from the conceptualization represented by the

framework

n Makes research findings meaningful and generalizable

n Provides reference points for discussion of the methodology and analysis of the data.

n Explains observations

n Contributes to the trustworthiness of the study.

n Encourages theory development that is useful to practice

n What is a Theoretical Framework

n It is the ‘blueprint’ or guide for a research (Grant & Osanloo, 2014). It is ‘borrowed’ by the
researcher to build his/her own house.
n It serves as the foundation upon which a research is constructed.

n Sinclair (2007) compares the role of the theoretical framework to that of a map or travel
plan.

n Brondizio, Leemans, and Solecki (2014) contend that it is the specific theory or theories
about aspects of human endeavour that can be useful to the study of events.

n What is a Theoretical Framework

n All aspects of the dissertation research should connect to the theoretical framework (Grant
& Osanloo, 2014).

n The relevant theory or theories that underpin the knowledge base of the phenomenon to be
researched.

n It consists of theoretical principles, constructs, concepts, and tenants of a theory (Grant &
Osanloo, 2014).

n Make a unique application of the selected theory so as to apply the theoretical constructs to
his/her dissertation study.

n What is a Theoretical Framework

n All aspects of the dissertation research should connect to the theoretical framework (Grant
& Osanloo, 2014).

n The relevant theory or theories that underpin the knowledge base of the phenomenon to be
researched.

n It consists of theoretical principles, constructs, concepts, and tenants of a theory (Grant &
Osanloo, 2014).

n Make a unique application of the selected theory so as to apply the theoretical constructs to
his/her dissertation study.

n Importance of Theoretical Framework in Research

n It provides the structure to define how a researcher defines his/her study philosophically,
epistemologically, methodology and analytically (Grant & Osanloo, 2014).

n It normally serves as the focus for the research study and it is linked to the research problem
under study.

n Importance of Theoretical Framework in Research

n It guides a researcher’s choice of research design and data analysis plan.

n It provides a common worldview or lens from which to support one’s thinking on the
problem and analysis of data (Grant & Osanloo, 2014).
 n The theoretical framework guides and must resonates with every aspect of the research
(Statement of the problem, Literature Review, Methodology, Presentation and Discussion of
Findings).

n The theoretical framework guides the kind of data to be collected (Lester, 2005).

n Simon and Goes (2011) as well as Maxwell (2004) avers that theoretical frameworks deepen
the essence of the study.

It convinces readers that the study is not based on the personal instincts of the researcher but
rather on established theory gathered via credible studies.

n Examples of Theoretical Framework

n Transformational Theory

n Culture Theory

n Cognitive Theory

n Gender Theory

n Behavioral Theory

n Developmental Theory

n Human Environment Relations Theory

n Culture Ecology Theory

n Culture Determinism Theory

n Differences Between Theoretical Framework and Conceptual Framework

n Theoretical framework is curled from an existing theory or theories in the literature that has
already been tested and validated by others and is considered as an acceptable theory in the
scholarly literature (Grant & Osanloo, 2014).

n Conceptual framework is the researcher’s understanding of how the research problem will
be explored, the specific direction the research will have to take, and the relationship
between the different variables in the study.

n While a whole theory may serve as one’s theoretical framework, a conceptual framework is
carefully put together in the form of a conceptual model and immediately applied to a
particular study (Liehr & Smith, 1999).

n Theoretical framework is derived from a theory while conceptual framework is derived from
concepts.

n How to Develop a Theoretical Framework

1. Select concepts
 a concept is an image or symbolic representation of an abstract idea. e.g. health, pain,
intelligence …

1. Identify the interrelationships among concepts

A relationship may be:

a. rigid = scientific law e.g. laws of motion

No known contradiction has been observed

b. tentative or questionable = relationship that does not convey truth or falsity

Laws and hypotheses are types of propositions

n How to Develop a Theoretical Framework

3. Formulating definitions: to develop a theoretical framework that can generate and

test hypotheses, concepts must be clearly defined

A. Conceptual definition … conveys the general meaning of the concept

B. Operational definition … adds another dimension to the conceptual

definition by delineating the procedures or operations required to measure
the concept

Some concepts are easily defined in operational terms, e.g. pulse, other concepts are more difficult
to define operationally, e.g. coping

4. Formulating the theoretical rationale

Through the literature review, an investigator becomes aware of or confirms identified theoretical
connections between variables

In evaluating the formulation of the theoretical rationale, the internal structures, such as concepts
and their definitions, should have clarity and continuity, and the approach to understanding
phenomena, whether inductive or deductive, should be logical

n Critiquing the theoretical framework

1. Is the theoretical framework clearly identified?

2. Is the theoretical framework consistent with what is being studied?

3. Are the concepts clearly and operationally defined? Do they reflect the area of investigation?

4. Was sufficient literature reviewed to support the proposed relationships?

5. Is the theoretical basis for hypothesis formulation clearly articulated? Is it logical?

n Critiquing the theoretical framework

6. Are the relationships among propositions clearly defined?

7. If the theory is borrowed from a discipline other than nursing, are the data related
specifically to nursing?

8. Does the instrument used to measure the variables, consistent with the theoretical
framework?

9. Are the study findings related to the theoretical rationale?

n  CONCEPTUAL MODELS AND THEORIES USED IN NURSING RESEARCH

Orem’s self care model (1985)

n Orem’s (1995)

n Imogene King’s General System’s framework (1971)

n Imogene King’s Open System Model(1981)

n Roy’s Adaptation Model

n Pender’s Health Model

n Margret Newman’s theory

n Betty Neuman theory  etc.