Desjardins (2010) states a theoretical framework is a logically structured representation of the concepts, variables, and relationships involved in a specific study with the purpose of clearly identifying what will be explored, examined, measured or described. The theoretical framework introduces and describes the theory that clarifies the reason for the research problem. The information found in the theoretical framework expresses to the reader why the research problem was chosen, provides a clear hypothesis and gives a description of the theory. In short, the theoretical framework serves as a guide to why the research problem is significant and how the research problem will be investigated.
The theoretical framework is an important component of a research problem. It should be constructed in a way that demonstrates a sound understanding of the theories and concepts that are related to the research problem. The researcher also needs to be knowledgeable about the current and historical literature as it relates to the topic being researched. This is a critical component in the theoretical framework because it reduces the possibility of biasness in the research. A clear connection also needs to be made between the current study’s underlying theory and the study’s findings (Theoretical Framework in Dissertations: A Brief Discussion, 2010). Each construct in the problem, purpose statement, and the research questions needs to have literature to support the construct. The understanding that is demonstrated should also relate to extended fields of knowledge that include the research problem.
Obtaining the knowledge to demonstrate an understanding of the theories and concepts of the research problem is not an easy task. ...
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...n Development. (2010, December). Retrieved February 24, 2012, from Northcentral University Dissertation Center: http://learners.ncu.edu/ncu_diss/default.aspx?attendance=Y
Creswell, J. W. (2008). Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education Inc.
Desjardins, F. (2010, July 19). Theoretical Framework [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcnufgQzMjc
Leedy, P., & Ormrod, J. E. (2010). Practical Research Planning and Design. Upper Saddle River: Pearson.
Pajares, F. (2007). Elements of a proposal. Available from the author.
Theoretical Framework in Dissertations: A Brief Discussion. (2010, April 16). Retrieved February 24, 2012, from Northcentral University Dissertation Center: http://learners.ncu.edu/ncu_diss/default.aspx?attendance=Y
Rugg, G., & Petre, M. (2007). A gentle guide to research methods. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill/Open University Press.
A theoretical perspective or paradigm is a set of ideas that attempt to guide your thinking and explain viewpoints. Within the field of sociology, there are many paradigms. These include structural-functionalism, social conflict, feminism, symbolic interactionism, and postmodernism. As a female who appreciates a viewpoint outside of the standard male outlook, my favorite theoretical paradigm is feminist theory. Feminism is one of the most prominent areas in contemporary sociology.
Based on the preceding ontological and epistemological assumptions a researcher then makes methodological assumptions. Having decided on exactly what is to be studied the researcher then decides how the research can best be managed thus formulating a plan of action. Considerations include whether the research used should be primary or secondary. Whether one will test an existing hypothesis or whether one will construct a theory after having collated evidence. Finally one can draw conclusions as to which strategy to implement with the ultimate goal of producing the type of knowledge that is required. This then results in the type of method or methods of research to be used.
Gay, L.R., Mills, G. E., & Airasian, P. W. (2009) Educational research: Competencies foranalysis and applications. (9th. Ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc. ISBN-10: 0135035015
Concept analysis includes defining a concept while determining related causes and outcomes. There are several different methods of completing a concept analysis; however, the Walker and Avant’s method is often utilized. This is an eight-step method that entails selecting the concept, determining a purpose, identifying antecedents and consequences, and defining empirical referents (Kalisch, Landstrom, & Hinshaw, 2009). The information obtained provides a more embedded understanding of the concept and its significance.
Theoretical framework provides scientific justification a rationale for doing a research and investigating a research problem. theoretical framework provides the structure that guides a study. The theoretical framework helps reduce biases and helps the reader understand the researcher’s perspective and context. (Webster, J., & Watson, R. T., 2002).
Salkind, N. J. (2012). 100 questions (and answers) about research methods. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE
[…]The prevalent mode of formulating formal theory is to move directly from substantive to formal theory, without grounding the latter in any additional data. The theorist, for example, suggest that his her substantive findings and perhaps theory about say physician-patient relationship have implications for general theory of professional-client relationship but does not do the further work of studying the latter relationship comparatively […] (Strauss 1987, p. 243)
Clark, V.P. & Creswell, J.W. (2009). Understanding research: A consumer’s guide. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
The Aims and objectives of educational research can be to “improve practice”, which may be suggestions that arise from current research. It can also help “add knowledge” which may be adding information to existing knowledge or adding to other research projects. Research can “address gaps in knowledge”, this means highlighting areas absent or which lack from other research projects. Educational research can also “expand knowledge”, this can be finding out new information or improving, existing knowledge, this knowledge can also be “replicated”, repeating previous research to certify it. Finally educational research can “add voices of individuals to knowledge”, this is important to gain the views and opinions of people within a research area in order to “understand issues within their own concept” (Creswell 2002, in Chaudhary 2013, p.2).
Traditional research has broad topic, in contrast to action research that has a specific topic in a specific classroom, school or school district. This paper addressed both traditional and action research, their features and their influence on education. Within the paper there were comparisons between quantitative, qualitative, and action research and how they may be used within the school setting. As a result, educators and researcher can conduct research that may be used to make efficient and effective decisions to make positive changes.
To understand or create a theory, one must first have scientific support. The best way to comprise such support is research. Counseling theories give an extensive basis of data from research which has relevant correlation to active psychotherapists and counseling practitioners.
There are various approaches, which can be valuable for researchers to utilize when deciding an effective research problem. The failure of a researcher to be precise in the description of the problem statement can have damaging outcomes in the understanding of the research. A theoretical framework refers to a set of interrelated ideas or themes, such as a concept, but not fundamentally worked out. Determining on what comprises a theoretical framework of the study begins with recognizing and creating a good researchable problem.
After establishing the research problem and what results are wanted, it will define how it will find the answers. Research is a form of collection and interpretation of information that will form the basis of finding answers to questions. The research uses theories and methods that h...
The word theory emanated from the Greek word meaning “contemplate” It has been viewed by scholars in different ways. Theory can be defined literally as an explanation of phenomena and its associations with variables that it is attempting to predict. There are no general agreed definitions of theory because scholar’s views of what constitute theory differ based on the purpose, nature and what make up of a good theory (Gelso, 2006; Harlow, 2009; Stam, 2007, 2010; and Wacker 1998). For instance, Wacker, (1998), pointed out that a theory must have four basic criteria such as conceptual definitions, domain limitations, relationship-building, and predictions. He, also, opined that for any theory to be regarded as a good theory, it must have qualities for `good ' theory, such as “uniqueness, parsimony, conservation, generalizability, fecundity, internal consistency, empirical riskiness, and abstraction, which apply to all research methods” (p.364). Stam (2010) interpreted theory as ...