Exploiting Rapid
Change in Technology
Enhanced Learning
… for Post Graduate Education
Conceptual vs Theoretical Frameworks

You can't build a great building on a weak
foundation. You must have a solid
foundation if you're going to have a strong
superstructure.
Gordon B. Hinckley

AGENDA
1. What are they?
1.Define/compare/contrast
2. How to work with the conceptual
1.Purpose
2.Use
3.About theoretical side of things
1.Purpose to your reader
2. Use
3. Examples
4.Looking forward to 2017 next week and
beyond

• Foundational – solid
• Purpose is to
understand/explain
relationships between
concepts/ bins
Back and Forth
relationship between
these two – first one then
the other and back
THEORETICAL vs. CONCEPTUAL
• Fluid – ideas shift with time
• Sorts ideas into “bins” so we can
work with them
• Topical – about your problem/idea
• May be include theories,
observations, ideas about…
“Comprised of 3 elements…
1. Personal interest,
2. Topical research, and
3. Theoretical frameworks”
Ravitch, S. M., & Riggan, M. (2012). Reason & rigor : how conceptual frameworks
guide research. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications

Purpose of Conceptual Frames
EXPECT THEM TO CHANGE YOUR UNDERSTANDING GROWS – YOU ARE
CONSTRUCTING IT
The ideas of your study and how you put them together
Specific to your study
1. **** An argument about the significance of study***
2. Ties to interest to literature to theory together
3. Argues for the appropriateness of your research
1. Helps to point out gaps in literature
4. Allows you to survey the range of methodological
choices / argues for your rigor
5. Appropriate to answer what questions
The changes they go through make them more precise
– fewer words to tell the reader more.

Uses of Conceptual Frames
EXPECT THEM TO CHANGE YOUR UNDERSTANDING GROWS
During development…
Idea development.
Building your case
Giving you if/then talking points
Extending the argument
Presenting
Explaining
Contextualizing …
Your findings

Purpose of Theoretical
Foundational
1. Lays your study on the platform of others ideas
2. Not yours – theirs
3. Do you have many? If so then not one theory – conceptual not
theoretical
Theoretical Frameworks are…
• Multi – layered and complex.
• Evolving with people and across time
• Appropriate to answer the why and the how questions

Uses of Theoretical
“Theories tell us:”
• Where to look for more evidence
• Description of the forms the subject may take
• Offers explanation as to why a particular form occurs.
Used to answer: Why things work the way they do in ways that are:
• Testable
• Measurable
Because it is measurable you can develop methodology from it.
Van Maanen, J., & Schein, E. H. (1978). Toward a Theory of Organizational
Socialization: Massachusetts Institute

How Award Winners Used Theory

Overview on Use of Theory in PhD/doctoral research
1. Quantitative is based on empiricism = everything can be
measured.
2. In Quantitative work: “an interrelated set of constructs
(variables) formed into propositions.
3. An argument , a discussion or a rationale or figure.”
(Creswell, 2014, pg 54) as in “the higher the rank the
greater the centrality.”
4. In Qualitative – based on theory that our lived experience:
1. A broad explanation for behavior or attitudes.
2. An overarching lens through which to look at the
relationships under study. – ie feminist, critical race,
etc.
5. In education – to explain premises for methodology, i.e
constructivism
6. In social sciences – guides the study, or (as in grounded
theory) as an outcome as well.
7. To establish an ethical stance, as in critical theories.

Paige, R. D. (2007). The relationship between self-directed informal learning
and the career development process of technology users. (EdD), Walden
University, USA.
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW...........................................
Introduction.
The Rise of a Constructivist Perspective
The Social Cognitive Perspective
Social Cognitive Career Theory.
Social Cognitive Theory and Career-Related Learning
The Social Practice Perspective
A Contextualist Action Theory of Career
Social Practice Theory and Career-Related Learning
The Narrative Perspective: Social Cognition in Practice
Theory Integration through Character
Theory Integration through Setting.
Theory Integration through Plot
Theory Integration through Story
The Narrative Perspective and Career-Related

Than N. Lam. (2007). STRATEGIES FOR PROMOTING BUSINESS-IT FUSION TO MEET
ORGANIZATIONAL DEMANDS: A CASE STUDY (Dr of Business Administration), University of
Phoenix, Arizona.
Theory first mentioned in Chapter 2 Agency, Stakeholder and Ethical
theories, presented after management practices as a foundation for
modern management practices.
1. Agency theory = managers are responsible for maximizing profits
2. Stakeholder theory = orgs must make positive contributions to
society
3. Theory Z= focus on increasing employee loyalty
Theoretically triangulated ideas about management in order to
overcome deficits caused by single reseacher, single method,
single theory, … etc.
Mixed methods – survey and open ended questions with programs,
process and IT stakeholders
Results and Findings discuss outcomes in terms of maximising profits,
Contribution to society and employee loyalty

DN Exercise – What would yours be?

If designed and executed properly, technology aids for graduate students
will demonstrate: 1) economy of scale for universities and 2) long term
results for retention/graduation.
Then for universities we take many of the small/hard to keep up with it all
burdens away – equalizing socialization across part
time/fulltime/working/online/on campus/international/NNES/and the racial
divide
CONCEPTUAL BASE:
Purpose is to argue for significance

Gardner (2006, 2008, 2009, 2010 etc)
Five issues with graduate socialization:
1. Ambiguity in structures
2. Work/life balance
3. Becoming independent as researcher
4. Developing all the skills needed
5. Finding the support needed/when
needed/how needed
THEORETICAL BASE: SOCIALIZATION
Purpose is to understand relationships between….
If each is significant and can hit at any time then no university can adequately
be there for each of these when needed

If designed and executed properly, the ubiquitous nature of technology aids
for students will demonstrate: 2) long term results for retention/graduation.
Then – tools set up for each of the five areas in the theoretical framework
will engage the students that need them and those students will choose to
stay rather than go:
Therefore – MastersNet and DoctoralNet subscriptions help masters and
doctoral students…
be more efficient, feel better about their studies and have more grit.
CONCEPTUAL BASE:
Purpose is to argue for significance

Looking Forward to 2017

What’s Up at DoctoralNet?
1. Webinar next week – start your planning early for fast start on 2017
2. Webinars 2017 – often paired subject – week to work on it –
review/discussion
3. Fridays – twice a month book abstracts
4. For those not lucky enough to have university subscription – pricing
appropriate to your currency – just ask alana@doctoralnet.com