This document discusses theoretical and conceptual frameworks in research. It begins by defining a theoretical framework as a summary of a researcher's theory on a problem developed through a literature review. A theoretical framework identifies the variables and relationships to be investigated. It then defines a conceptual framework as a network of concepts and hypothesized relationships between variables. Key differences are that theoretical frameworks are based on existing theories while conceptual frameworks provide understanding without prediction. The document provides examples and significance of both frameworks in guiding research.

1. THEORETICAL AND
CONCEPTUAL
FRAMEWORKS
MAE M. BASTES
Doctorand
EDU 104- Research Colloquium

2. Session objectives
By the end of the session the learner should be able to:
• Explain the concept of theoretical framework
• Develop a theoretical framework in research
• Describe the significance of a theoretical framework in
research.
• Describe a conceptual framework
• Distinguish between a theoretical framework and a
conceptual framework.
• State the features of a conceptual framework.

3. THEORETICAL
FRAMEWORK

4. What is a theoretical framework?
• A theoretical framework is a summary of the
researcher’s theory regarding a particular
problem that is developed through a review of
previously tested knowledge of variables
involved. It identifies a plan for investigation and
interpretation of the findings.
• It relates to philosophical basis on which the
research takes place and form the link between
the theoretical aspects and practical components
of the investigation undertaken. Therefore it’’
has implications for every decision made in the
research process’’(Mertens,1998,3)

5. What is a theoretical framework?
• Theoretical framework can be considered as a
conceptual model that establishes a sense of structure
that guides the research process. It includes the
variables a researcher intends to measure and
relationships he/she seeks to understand. Essentially,
this is where a researcher develops a “theory” and
build his/her case for investigating that theory.
• The theoretical framework is the researcher’s
presentation of a theory that explains a particular
problem and it is not based on his/her suspicions alone.

6. Theoretical framework in a research
report
• Theoretical framework is presented in the
early section of a dissertation mainly in
chapter two of the report and provides the
rationale for conducting your research to
investigate a particular research problem.
• It involves a well-supported rationale and is
organized in a manner that helps the reader
understand and asses the perspective of the
researcher.

7. When developing a theoretical
framework:
• The researcher start by describing what is
known about the variables involved, what is
known about their relationship, and what can
be explained thus far.
• One need to investigate other researchers’
theories behind these relationships and
identify a theory (or a combination of
theories) that explain his/her major research
problem.

8. When developing a theoretical
framework:
• The researcher need to consider
alternative theories that might challenge
his/her perspective.
• One also considers the limitations
associated with his/her theory and quite
possibly that problem could be better
understood by other theoretical
frameworks.

9. Significance of a theoretical
framework
• It helps the researcher to consider
other possible frameworks and to
reduce biases that may sway the
researcher’s interpretation.
• It clarifies researcher’s implicit theory
in a manner that is more clearly
defined.

10. Significance of a theoretical
framework
• It demonstrates that the relationships
proposed by the researcher are not based on
his/her personal instincts or guesses, but
rather formed from facts obtained from
authors of previous research.
• The theoretical framework allows a
researcher to present the research problem
considering the summary of the literature.

11. Significance of a theoretical
framework
• It shows the reader why the researcher thinks
that the variables involved are related and the
inclusion of previous research and theories that
support researcher’s belief are essential to
defending the rationale.
• It determines how the researcher perceives,
make sense of, and interpret his/her data.
Explanation of theoretical framework helps the
reader understand the researchers' perspective
and context.

15. CONCEPTUAL
FRAMEWORK

16. What is a conceptual
framework?
• Mugenda and Mugenda (2003), define a conceptual
framework as a hypothesized model identifying the
concepts under study and their relationships. It
provides an outline of the preferred approach in the
research and also outlines the relationships and the
desired effects, forming independent and dependent
variables respectively.
• It also a schematic representation showing the
relationship between different types of variables
involved in the study such as relationship between
independent variables and the dependent variable.
(Tidwell,2012)

17. What is a conceptual
framework?
• It’s the researcher’s own position on the problem
and gives direction to the study.
• Consists of concepts that are placed within a logical
and sequential design. It represents less formal
structure and used for studies in which existing
theory is incapable or insufficient. It’s based on
specific concepts and propositions, derived from
empirical observation and intuition.

18. What is a conceptual
framework?
• Miles and Huberman (1994) in Corry and Stella
(2012)defined a conceptual framework as a visual or
written product, one that “explains, either graphically or
in narrative form, the main things to be studied—the key
factors, concepts, or variables—and the presumed
relationships among them” (p. 18).1
• Conceptual framework is a network, or “a plane,” of
interlinked concepts that together provide a
comprehensive understanding of a phenomenon or
phenomena.

19. Features of conceptual
frameworks
The main features of conceptual frameworks are
as follows:
1. A conceptual framework is not merely a collection of
concepts but, rather, a construct in which each concept plays
an integral role.
According to Miles and Huberman (1994), a conceptual
framework “lays out the key factors, constructs, or variables,
and presumes relationships among them” (p. 440). To discourage
loose usage of the term conceptual framework, I propose basing
conceptual frameworks not on variable or factors but on
concepts alone. When variables or factors are used, this employ
the term model.

20. Features of conceptual
frameworks
• 2. A conceptual framework provides not a
causal/analytical setting but, rather, an
interpretative approach to social reality.
• 3. Rather than offering a theoretical
explanation, as do quantitative models,
conceptual frameworks provide understanding.
• 4. A conceptual framework provides not
knowledge of “hard facts” but, rather, “soft
interpretation of intentions” (Levering, 2002, p.
38).

21. Features of conceptual
frameworks
• 5. Conceptual frameworks are indeterminist in nature and
therefore do not enable us to predict an outcome.
Levering (2002) has suggested that “the idea that human
behavior can be explained and predicted is roughly based
on the concept of external factors being caught in an
accidental cohesion, and the idea that human actions can
be understood, but not predicted, is based on the concept
of freedom” (p. 38).
• 6. Conceptual frameworks can be developed and
constructed through a process of qualitative analysis.

23. Example of conceptual
framework
Dependent variable
Independent variables
Fig.1 conceptual framework
Moderating variable

24. THANK YOU!!!

25. REFERENCES
• Mugenda, O.M. & Mugenda, A.G. (2003). Research
methods: Quantitative and qualitative
approaches.2nd. Rev. ed. Nairobi: Act press.
• Jabareen,Y(2009).International journal of
qualitative methods,Technion—Israel Institute of
Technology Technion City, Haifa, Israel.
• Tidwell, w (2012) writing a conceptual framework,
Ashford university, ITT technical institute,
Westwood college.
http://www.slideshare.net/wtidwell/writing-a-
conceptual-framework?next_slideshow=2
Accessed on 29th July 2015

26. REFERENCES
• Corry, M, and Stella,J.,(2012)Developing a
framework for research in online K-12
distance education." Quarterly Review of
Distance Education 13.3 (2012): 133+.
Academic OneFile. Web. 29 July 2015.
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do