05/01/2025
๐ช๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐ถ๐ ๐ฎ ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐บ๐ฒ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ?
A theoretical framework is critical component of a thesis/dissertation.
Before we can explore the meaning of a theoretical framework, it is necessary to first define what a theory is. This is because a theoretical framework is derived from a theory.
In postgraduate research, a theory is a reliable single body of knowledge that explains a research problem; situation or event or behaviour or phenomenon under study.
More specifically, a theory explains why a research problem exists and predicts the answer to the research problem.
This means that a theory is a tested body of scientific knowledge that reliably explains the research problem and predicts an answer.
Postgraduate students must always remember this! That a theory is made up of interrelated and coherent constructs which are clear โideasโ and together these constructs provide a dependable explanation of the research problem and prediction of the answer to the research problem.
Therefore, there is no theory without โconstructsโ that make up the whole called theory.
A theory is important in postgraduate research because ๐ถ๐ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฎ ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐ฑ๐๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ต. It helps students to see the research problem clearly by providing or suggesting constructs or ideas or variables to study.
For this reason, a theory is the primary means in which the research problem is understood and investigated. It provides students a credible lens for their studies- suggesting what constructs or ideas or variables to study.
On the other hand, a theoretical framework is a skeleton or structure of a theory underpinning the study. It introduces and describes the key constructs or ideas that together explain why the research problem exists and predicts an answer to the research problem under study.
Therefore, a theoretical framework is a single formal skeleton of a theory- a sum-up of a theory clearly showing the key ideas!
For the sake of clarity, some students prefer to present the theoretical framework in a diagrammatic format.
A theoretical framework might be used as a blueprint to determine research questions, research objectives, survey questions, data points, a hypothesis, selection and interpretation of the data, and other research functions.
In conclusion, a theory is a body of tested and validated knowledge made up of constructs to explain, predict, and understand a research problem, while a theoretical framework is a structure that guides research by relying on a theory underpinning the study.
Do you want to consult an expert while doing your research? Contact me through [email protected]
