Research 2

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Writing the Framework of the

Study

Definition
▷ A framework in the context of a study refers to the
structure or conceptual foundation that supports the
research. It provides a theoretical or conceptual
structure for understanding and analyzing the study's
topic. The framework helps researchers organize their
thoughts, guide the development of hypotheses or
research questions, and provide a roadmap for the study.

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Common Elements in Framework
▷ Key concepts: The framework should identify the central
concepts of the research topic. These concepts should
be clearly defined and operationalized so that they can
be measured and analyzed.
▷ Relationships: The framework should explain the
relationships between the key concepts. This may
involve identifying causal relationships, correlations, or
patterns.

Common Elements in Framework


▷ Assumptions: The framework should identify the
assumptions that underpin the research. These
assumptions should be clearly stated.
▷ Implications: The framework should discuss the
implications of the research findings. This may involve
drawing conclusions, making recommendations, or
suggesting further research.

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Benefits
▷ Improves focus and clarity: A framework helps
researchers to focus on the most important aspects of
their research topic and to clearly define their research
questions.
▷ Guides the research process: A framework provides a
roadmap for the research process, helping researchers to
make informed decisions about their methodology and
data analysis.

Benefits
▷ Facilitates interpretation: A framework helps researchers
to interpret their findings in a meaningful way and to
connect them to existing knowledge.
▷ Enhances rigor: A well-defined framework ensures that
the research is rigorous and that the findings are
credible.

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What is a Theoretical Framework?
▷ It is the ‘blueprint’ or guide for a research (Grant &
Osanloo, 2014).
▷ It serves as the foundation upon which a research is
constructed.
▷ Sinclair (2007) compares the role of the theoretical
framework to that of a map or travel plan.
▷ Brondizio, Leemans, and Solecki (2014) contend that it is
the specific theory or theories about aspects of human
endeavor that can be useful to the study of events.
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What is a Theoretical Framework?


▷ A theoretical framework (also sometimes referred to as a
foundation of theory) is essentially a set of concepts,
definitions, and propositions that together form a
structured, comprehensive view of a specific phenomenon.
▷ It consists of theoretical principles, constructs, concepts,
and tenants of a theory (Grant & Osanloo, 2014).
▷ It explains the existing theories that support your research,
showing that your paper or thesis topic is relevant and
grounded in established ideas.
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Importance of Theoretical Framework
▷ It provides the structure to define how a researcher
defines his/her study philosophically, epistemologically,
methodology and analytically (Grant & Osanloo, 2014).
▷ It normally serves as the focus for the research study
and it is linked to the research problem under 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.

Example of Theories
• Transformational/relational • Queer theory
theories • Feminist Theory
• Transactional/management • Critical race theory
theories • Self-efficacy theory
• Servant leadership/moral theories • Functionalist theory
• Trait theories • Relational theory
• Situational theories • Marxist Theory
• Systems theory • Intersubjectivity theory
• Developmental theory • Gender theory
• Cognitive theory • Change theory
• Sense of community theory • Identity formation
• Behavioral theory • Community of Inquiry

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How to write a theoretical framework
▷ Identify your key concepts
▷ The first step is to pick out the key terms from
your problem statement and research questions.
Concepts often have multiple definitions, so your
theoretical framework should also clearly define what
you mean by each term.

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How to write a theoretical framework


▷ Evaluate and explain relevant theories
▷ As you write your theoretical framework, your aim is to
compare and critically evaluate the approaches that
different authors have taken.
▷ After discussing different models and theories, you can
establish the definitions that best fit your research and
justify why. You can even combine theories from
different fields to build your own unique framework if
this better suits your topic.
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How to write a theoretical framework
▷ Discuss the propositions of each theory and highlight its
relevance to the research.

▷ Consider the limitations associated with the selected


theory which the problem to be investigated can help
address or provide logic explanations.

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Conceptual Framework
▷ A conceptual framework is typically a visual
representation (although it can also be written out) of
the expected relationships and connections between
various concepts, constructs or variables.
▷ It offers a logical structure of connected concepts that
help provide a picture or visual display of how ideas in a
study relate to one another (Grant & Osanloo, 2014).
▷ It can be ‘graphical or in a narrative form showing the
key variables or constructs to be studied and the
presumed relationships between them’. 14

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Importance of Conceptual Framework
▷ It aids the researcher to identify and construct his/her
worldview and approach to the topic of study (Grant &
Osanloo, 2014).
▷ It brings together related concepts to explain or predict
a given event or give a detailed understanding of the
research problem and its asserted solution (Liehr &
Smith, 1999).
▷ 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 (Evans, 2007). 15

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Example

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