The selection of a theory should depend on its appropriateness, ease of application, and explanatory power. Consider a nurse undertaking research on psychological stages (Polit & Beck, 2013). Abend, Gabriel. Simple, right? A theory is a well-established principle that has been developed to explain some aspect of the natural world. Your email address will not be published. Research Methods Knowledge Base. The theoretical framework will define these concepts and discuss theories about the relationship between them. CohenMiller, A. S. and P. Elizabeth Pate. A theory is a discussion about related concepts , assumptions, and generalizations, while concepts can be defined as words or phrases that represent several interrelated ideas . Though the civil-military relations field has seen a lot of theoretical work in recent years, the field still lacks consistent overarching theories. Many social science research papers fit into this rubric. Yes of course. Colorado State University; Ravitch, Sharon M. and Matthew Riggan. The theoretical framework is like a toolbox. In the theoretical framework, you explain the theories that support your research, showing that your work is grounded in established ideas. Given this, testing theoretical assumptions is an important way that knowledge in any discipline develops and grows. The theoretical framework strengthens the study in the following ways: By virtue of its applicative nature, good theory in the social sciences is of value precisely because it fulfills one primary purpose: to explain the meaning, nature, and challenges associated with a phenomenon, often experienced but unexplained in the world in which we live, so that we may use that knowledge and understanding to act in more informed and effective ways. 3. Theory Building in Applied Disciplines. • The theoretical framework is the structure that can hold or support a theory of a research study. Let me explain. Writing@CSU. It's free to sign up and bid on jobs. The Conceptual Framework. A symbolic interactionistwould say that the perception of school by African-American children is the major reason why graduation rates are low. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 1999. After an initial reading of the literature, researchers often rewrite the original research question based upon the theoretical framework. "A General Perspective on the Role of Theory in Qualitative Research." Theoretical Framework Goals. Required fields are marked *. • The theoretical framework is the structure that can hold or support a theory of a research study. The theoretical framework is the structure that can hold or support a theory of a research study. all aspects of the general theoretical framework. The Oxford Handbook of Interdisciplinarity. The theoretical framework may be rooted in a specific theory, in which case, you are expected to test the validity of an existing theory in relation to specific events, issues, or phenomena. A hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction about what you expect to happen in your study. In the literature review you highlighted the problem that needs ‘fixing’. ; You can frame your study by presenting the theoretical framework which will reflect that you have enough knowledge about your topic, relevant models, and theories. Both political Science and economics use principal agent theory as a conceptual framework. sociological terms, sociological theories, conflict theorydurkheimframeworkfunctionalismmacromarxmeadmicrostructural functionalismsymbolic interactionismtheoretical frameworkweber, Your email address will not be published. A theoretical framework is a way of approaching a problem or situation. More From Reference . Theories are formulated to explain, predict, and understand phenomena and, in many cases, to challenge and extend existing knowledge within the limits of critical bounding assumptions. (Singapore: Springer Nature, 2018), pp. A theoretical contribution provides a theory-driven input to current thinking when your dissertation research study is framed by theoretical considerations that began with a well-defined theoretical framework. 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. The theoretical framework in a study works as a map for the research. "HRM-Performance Research: Under-theorized and Lacking Explanatory Power. By conducting a thorough literature review, you can determine how other researchers have defined and drawn connections between these key concepts. New York: Guilford, 2010; Ravitch, Sharon M. and Matthew Riggan. Furthermore, theoretical framework provides the best results when developing nursing practices. Theoretical Framework Goals. Summing Up. Los Angeles, CA: SAGE, 2017; Reyes, Victoria. You will need to identify the ideas and theories used for your chosen subject topic once you have determined the problem statement and research questions. Building theoretical frameworks based on the postulates and hypotheses developed in other disciplinary contexts can be both enlightening and an effective way to be more engaged in the research topic. A conceptual framework is the researcher’s idea on how the research problem will have to be explored. A theoretical framework consists of concepts and, together with their definitions and reference to relevant scholarly literature, existing theory that is used for your particular study. Los Angeles, CA: SAGE, 2017; Sutton, Robert I. and Barry M. Staw. Research Methods Knowledge Base. Therefore, the theoretical … In, Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper. Theoretical & Conceptual Frame-work -Theoretical Frame-work -Conceptual Frame-work Dr. RS Mehta 2. 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