This is a slide show to support a short lecture for a doctoral seminar (Introduction to Educational Research)

1. EDUC 354: APPLIED INQUIRY II
UNIVERSITY OF THE PACIFIC
Delores E. McNair, Ed.D.

2. Theoretical Framework2

3. Learning Objectives
By the end of the session, students will be able
to:
 Identify the purpose of a theoretical
framework
 Distinguish between a theoretical
perspective, theoretical framework, and
conceptual framework
 Identify additional resources to explore this
topic
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4. Vocabulary* - Qualitative Research
 Epistemology
 Ontology
 Theoretical Perspective
 Theoretical Framework
 Conceptual Framework
 Feminist Theory
 Critical Theory/Critical
Race Theory
 Queer Theory
 Worldviews
 Multiple Truths
 Participants
 Trustworthiness
 Postmodern
 Postpositivist
*Some, not all
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5. Briefly …
 Worldview
 Epistemology
 Assumptions about the acquisition of knowledge
 Ontology
 Assumptions about the nature of reality
 Methodology/Method
 Not used consistently in research
 In this class
 Methodology (guides the research design)
 Method (research design)
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6. Some Theoretical Perspectives
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 Critical Theory/Critical Race Theory
 Queer Theory
 Feminist Theory
 Postmodernism
 Intersectionality

7. Conceptual Framework
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Authors pull from multiple theories or ideas to
illuminate the concepts that frame the study

8. Theoretical Framework
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 Anchors the study
 Frames the research questions,data collection
(interview questions, for example), and data
analysis
 Concepts, suppositions, and ideas from a
theory that guide your thinking
 Examples:
 Baxter Magolda: self-authorship
 Satir: personal change
 Chickering & Reisser: student development
 Bandura: self-efficacy

9. An example
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The purpose of the study is to explore the ways
first-generation graduate student develop and
demonstrate self-efficacy.
Theoretical framework: Bandura’s self-
efficacy; the study might also use resiliency
theory
Theoretical perspective: Varies with the
researcher, but could be post-modern, critical
theory, critical race theory, feminist theory,
etc. (or even a combination of perspectives)

10. Resources
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 Handbook of Qualitative Research – Denzin &
Lincoln
 Landscape of Qualitative Research – Denzin &
Lincoln
 Narrative Inquiry – Lincoln & Guba
 Negotiating the Complexities of Qualitative
Research – Jones, Torres, & Arminio

11. Resources
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 Black Feminist Thought – P. Hill Collins
 Critical race theory – D. Solórzano
 Handouts on Sakai
 Alicia Chávez (article on Sakai)