Conceptual and theoretical framework is developed for the purpose of clarification and guidance in study or research. This paper explains the meaning of conceptual and theoretical framework in policy research and discusses its usefulness and application. The discussion is systematically corresponded to the basics of research for better understanding of the process. A case study on the Western Sahara Crisis provides exercises on real world adaptation of conceptual and theoretical framework. Workshop participants from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are exposed to challenges of creating and applying conceptual and theoretical framework to add value to policy inputs in policy research

1. DEVELOPING APPROPRIATE CONCEPTUAL
AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
BY
TANKO AHMED, fwc
Senior Fellow (Security & Strategic Studies), NIPSS, Kuru-Jos
ta_mamuda@yahoo.com 08037031744

3. A Paper Presented at the NIPSSCONSULTS
Workshop on Social Research, Analysis and
Reporting Skills for Mid-Level Staff of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs – 16th to 27th July,
2018 at the National Institute for Policy and
Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru-Jos
16 July 2018

4. Abstract
• Conceptual and theoretical framework is
developed for the purpose of clarification and
guidance in study or research.
• This paper explains the meaning of conceptual
and theoretical framework in policy research
and discusses its usefulness and application.
• The discussion is systematically corresponded to
the basics of research for better understanding
of the process. A case study on the Western
Sahara Crisis provides an exercises on real world
adaptation of conceptual and theoretical
framework.

5. INTRODUCTION
“… Ideas of Power …”

6. Background
• Concepts and theories provide meaning and
direction in study or research in any subject or topic
for better understanding and clear guideline or
intent.
• They provide foundation for planning and
understanding the approach to take in any study,
including policy research.
• This paper is connected to the previous one on
‘Understanding Policy Research’ as continuation
and application of concept and theory. The paper
defines related concepts and briefly explains how
conceptual and theoretical framework is developed.

7. CONCEPTS

8. Concept
• Concept is the understanding, perception or
the way of approaching an abstract thought,
idea or guiding principle in a study.
• It is a plan or an original idea, a unifying
theme, and a conjunction of all characteristic
features of a study.
• A concept can also serve as theoretical
construct within a theory by giving it a
meaning https://www.thefreedictionary.com/concept .

9. Theory
• Theories are sets of rules, ideas, principles,
techniques, abstract thoughts, or contemplations
applied to subjects, topics or themes for guidance in
discussion, understanding or forming objectives.
• A theory involves the critique, revision and
summation of past knowledge in the form of general
propositions and the fusion of diverse views and
partial knowledge in general frameworks of
explanation (Pieterse, 2010).
• It creates a hypothetical circumstance or scientific
principles to explain a given problem, a set of facts, or
propositions; and analyse their relationship with one
another.

10. Framework
• Framework is an underlying set of ideas,
principles or rules providing the basis or outline
for development of something in clearly defined
stages.
• It is a context for an intended line of action with
systemic interconnectivity of parts or references.
• Framework is an essential support and
foundation of any structure or construct
especially in study or research.
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/framewo
rk

12. Conceptual and Theoretical Framework
• Conceptual framework is an interconnected set of ideas and
theories on how a particular approach or problem is seen and
treated; how it relates to other relevant issues; and serves as
basis for understanding causal or correlational patterns in the
study (Svinicki, 2010).
• Theoretical framework “… serves as the structure and support
for the rationale for the study, the problem statement, the
purpose, the significance and the questions …” [and] “… a
grounding base or anchor for the literature review and most
importantly, the methods and analysis …” (Grant and Osanloo,
2014:12).
• A combination of conceptual and theoretical framework
determines how a problem in study or research is formulated
and investigated, including the meaning attached to the
subject and its accruing data or information in the process
(Imenda, 2014)

13. Policy Research
• Policy research is a disciplined process of
inquiry conducted by and for those taking
action in problem identification, input and
decision http://www.ascd.org/ .
• The purpose of policy research is to assist in
decision making and taking action for
improving and/or refining his or her actions.
• The termed action research was first used by
Kurt Lewin, a social psychologist, in the 1940s
https://www.edglossary.org/action-research/

14. Western Sahara Crisis
• The Western Sahara crisis has been on ‘active
or frozen state’ since 1975 revolving around a
referendum on self-determination and
independence as its settlement (NOREF,
2009).
• Several stakeholder- nations, internal groups,
organizations and NGOs have been involved
without arriving at any logical conclusion on
the issue of referendum as the recurring
milestone on the road to finding lasting
solution.

15. DEVELOPING CONCEPTUAL AND THEORETICAL
FRAMEWORK

16. Combining Conceptual and
Theoretical Framework
• A combination of conceptual and theoretical frameworks
provides mean as well as direction in discourse on any
subject matter described as the “… the Soul of every
research project” (Imenda, 2014:185).
• Conceptual framework expresses how reality works in the
case of explaining interconnected issues and predicting
outcomes on the basis of data input, presentation, analysis
and conclusive statements (Svinicki, 2010).
• Theoretical framework guides the logic of a study or
research as a domain of what exist in the mind of
researchers.

17. Outline for Developing Conceptual
and Theoretical Framework
• It guides all aspects of research process from
formulation of the problem statement and
inquiries to findings, analysis and conclusions
(Simon and Goes, 2011).
• An outline for developing conceptual and
theoretical framework stipulates a clear
statement of the problem; review of existing
literature; a constructive proposition; and strict
observance of laid down principles and direction
along the line of discourse on the subject matter
(Jabareen, 2009; Simon & Goes, 2011)

18. CONCEPTUAL AND THEORETICAL
FRAMEWORK IN RESEARCH

19. Conceptual Framework in Research
• Conceptual frameworks are particularly useful
as organizing devices in empirical research, and
as abstract representations connected to
research goal that direct the collection and
analysis of data “… the way ideas are organised
to achieve purpose of research” (Shields and
Rangarajan, 2013).
• It is an analytical tool with several variations and
contexts used in making conceptual distinctions
and organize ideas to capture reality for ease of
recall and application.

20. Theoretical Framework in Research
• Theoretical framework facilitates and strengthens research
in many ways including provision for an explicit statement
of theoretical assumptions to evaluate them critically;
connecting the researcher to existing knowledge; guiding
relevant theory as basis for hypotheses and choice of
research methods.
• Also, the articulation of theoretical assumptions of a
research study forces address questions of why and how; it
permits intellectual transition from simple description of a
phenomenon to general observation about various aspects
of that phenomenon.
• Others are the use of theories to identify the limits of
generalizations; specify which key variables influence a
phenomenon of interest; and highlights the need to examine
how those key variables might differ and under what
circumstances.
http://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/theoreticalframework

21. A Case Study
• The Nigerian Foreign Policy faces a number of challenges as
well as prospects most of which are associated with the
need for skillful policy inputs often requiring evidence-based
contributions, or policy research.
• One of the lingering issues requiring attention is an
impending review of Nigeria’s policy on the Western Sahara
crisis.
• A Contributory Note on the subject is prepared and attached
to this paper as Appendix ‘A’.
• The Note covers background, nature, literature, problem
state, concept, analysis of stakeholder positions,
contribution of NIPSS and conclusion on the Western Sahara
Crisis.
• Workshop participants, divided into three or four groups, are
required to study the Note carefully and create a conceptual
and theoretical framework to enrich the Note as ‘policy
research input’.

22. CONCLUSION

23. Conclusion
• The paper sets out to discuss and explain the meaning
and critical role of conceptual and theoretical
framework in research.
• It is established that the combination of concepts and
theories in a framework facilitates the formulation of
problem, construction of inquiries, data collection,
data analysis, findings and conclusions.
• The importance of conceptual and theoretical
framework should not be taken for granted in
research for its outcome to be meaningful and useful
as input in policy making.

24. References
Grant, C. & Osanloo, A. (2014) Understanding, selecting, and integrating a theoretical framework in
dissertation research: Creating the blueprint for your house. Administrative Issues Journal: Connecting
Education, Practice and Research, 4(2), 12-26
Imenda, S. (2014) Is there a conceptual difference between theoretical and conceptual frameworks? Journal
of Social Science, 38(2), 185-195
Jabareen, Y. (2009) Building a conceptual framework: philosophy, definition and procedure. International
Journal of Qualitative Methods, December 1,8(4), 49-62
NOREF Briefing (2009) Western Sahara Info Brief, Norwegian Peace Building Centre. Retrieved from
http://www.peacebuilding.no/ver/ezflow_site.pdf on July 12, 2014
Pieterse, J. N. (2010) Development theory. Newcastle upon Tyne, UK: SAGE
Simon, M. K., and Goes, J. (2011) Developing a theoretical framework. Retrieved from
http://dissertationrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/theoreticalframeworkRecipesX.pdf 13/7/18
Shields, P., and Rangarajan, N. (2013) A playbook for research methods: Integrating conceptual frameworks
and project management. Stillwater, OK: New Forums Press
Svinicki, M. D. (2010) A guidebook on conceptual frameworks for research in engineering education.
Retrieved from https://crlte.engin.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2013/06/Svinicki-Conceptual-
Frameworks.pdf 13/7/18
http://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/theoreticalframework
https://www.edglossary.org/action-research/
http://www.ascd.org/ .
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/framework
https://www.thefreedictionary.com/concept
•

25. THANK YOU
FOR
LISTENING