The Distinctions Between Theory, Theoretical Framework, and .. : Academic Medicine Leave a comment

These are control variables , variables that are kept constant so that they do not interfere with the results . Researchcor covers a broad range of scholarly journals, open access review publications, magazines, trade publications, case studies, opinion-based papers, slides, academic and institutions findings, and dissertations in many different disciplines. Hours of study impacts the number of practice problems, which in turn impacts the exam score.

We risk naively labeling some research designs as faulty, poorly executed, or lacking in rigor, when in fact those designs are employing different paradigmatically informed interpretations of these terms. We also risk impeding our collective efforts to build on the knowledge https://personal-accounting.org/advance-to-employee-definition-and-that-means/ generated across paradigms. In other words, without clarity, we risk doing consequential harm to our own field. Therefore, in this paper, we set out to clarify the differences and relationships between the terms theory, theoretical framework, and conceptual framework.

How to correctly write your theoretical framework

It may contain many ideas that are not explored in the document or experiment that it structures. However, by definition, all aspects of the conceptual framework are used in the research process . Although the terms theoretical framework and conceptual framework are often used interchangeably, they are distinct conceptual versus theoretical framework concepts within a research investigation. As we have learned, to identify the difference between theoretical and conceptual frameworks, you must have a thorough understanding of these concepts. The theoretical framework provides a general representation of relationships between things in a given phenomenon.

• In this example, the variable “teaching method” represents stimulus while the “students’ academic performance” represents the response.
• Within academia, a framework is an abstract logical structure that guides a study’s development.
• For qualitative research, you should locate qualitative journal articles that use a priori theory (knowledge that is acquired not through experience) that is modified during the process of research (Creswell & Creswell, 2018).
• Although they are closely related, the conceptual and theoretical framework in any research project serve distinct purposes and have different characteristics.
• They also offer an explanation of why the study is pertinent and how the researcher expects to fill the gap in the literature.
• For some researchers, the decision as to which theory or theories will inform the final interpretations of the data is a choice that can only be finalized during the data collection and analysis cycles.
• Examples of conceptual frameworks include the definitions a sociologist uses to describe a culture and the types of data an economist considers when evaluating a country’s industry.

You must review course readings and pertinent research studies for theories and analytic models that are relevant to the research problem you are investigating. The selection of a theory should depend on its appropriateness, ease of application, and explanatory power. When used as a separate term, “theoretical framework” always refers to the broader ideas that govern research and study.

How to structure your theoretical framework

It can be difficult to separate the true effect of the independent variable from the effect of the confounding variable. In this case, the mediator helps explain why studying more hours leads to a higher exam score. The more hours a student studies, the more practice problems they will complete; the more practice problems completed, the higher the student’s exam score will be. It’s crucial to identify other variables that can influence the relationship between your independent and dependent variables early in your research process. Now that you’ve figured out your research question and variables, the first step in designing your conceptual framework is visualizing your expected cause-and-effect relationship.

• As this example illustrates, many scholars offer competing theories explaining phenomena.
• Conceptual frameworks, though related to theoretical frameworks, serve distinct functions within research.
• Suppose you want to investigate if nutmeg finches visiting bird feeders in cities have better fitness than those in the wild.
• The conceptual framework specifies which data you need to collect and provides a structure for interpreting and making sense of the collected data.
• The conceptual framework consists of the ideas that are used to define research and evaluate data.
• These are variables that are held constant so that they don’t interfere with the results.

Another study might aim to understand the factors influencing the job satisfaction of employees in a corporate setting. The theoretical framework could be based on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, interpreting job satisfaction in terms of fulfilling employees’ physiological, safety, social, esteem, and self-actualization needs. If you have many figures and tables in your thesis or dissertation, include one may help you stay organized. Your educational institution may require them, so be sure to check their guidelines. Glossaries are not mandatory, but if you use a lot of technical or field-specific terms, it may improve readability to add one to your thesis or dissertation. Your educational institution may also require them, so be sure to check their specific guidelines.

Scope and purpose of theoretical and conceptual frameworks

While both frameworks guide the research process, they do so in different ways. Theoretical frameworks guide the overall approach to understanding the research problem by indicating the broader conversation the researcher is contributing to and shaping the research questions. A conceptual framework is what informs your readers on what to expect and know from your research.

If more than one theory is used, the researcher must also describe how the theories inform each other and how they inform all aspects of the study. This is the work the researcher engages in to demonstrate how theory informs all aspects of the study design. In this design, the researcher develops the theoretical framework before the study is carried out; however, the theoretical framework can be adjusted during the research processes in response to the insights and understandings being developed. Our descriptions of theory, theoretical framework, and conceptual framework are simplified.

Frequently asked questions about conceptual models

These differences might seem subtle, but they can significantly impact your research design and outcomes, which is why it is important to think through each one of them. A theoretical framework can sometimes be integrated into a literature review chapter, but it can also be included as its own chapter or section in your dissertation. As a rule of thumb, if your research involves dealing with a lot of complex theories, it’s a good idea to include a separate theoretical framework chapter. Examples of conceptual frameworks include the definitions a sociologist uses to describe a culture and the types of data an economist considers when evaluating a country’s industry. The conceptual framework consists of the ideas that are used to define research and evaluate data. Conceptual frameworks are often laid out at the beginning of a paper or an experiment description for a reader to understand the methods used (Mensah et al., 2020).

• Literature reviews are set up similarly to other academic texts, with an introduction, a main body, and a conclusion.
• The conceptual framework concretely identifies which variables must be explored during an investigation.
• By determining the theories that are relevant to your research, the theoretical framework shapes the nature and direction of your study.
• While the terms theory, theoretical framework, and conceptual framework share common meanings across different research approaches, the ways in which they are applied vary greatly between objectivist deductive and subjectivist inductive approaches.
• This section will contrast the two in terms of scope, purpose, their role in the research process, and their relationship to the data analysis strategy and research question.

Your glossary only needs to include terms that your reader may not be familiar with, and is intended to enhance their understanding of your work. Theoretical framework simply states the theory aspect of your work, the existing, tested and viable theories backing up your current research. So to say, theoretical framework is a collection of interrelated theories which guides your research work.