TENTS Definition Why Are Theoretical Frameworks Important? Types of Research Theories Theoretical Framework in Research Structure Writing Guide 1. Inspect Your Research Problem 2. Determine the Key Variables 3. Conduct a Literature Review 4. Discuss Relevant Theories 5. Go Beyond the Existing Theories Writing Tips Checklist Bottom Line Frequently Asked Questions Worried about writing a unique paper? Use our free Readability checker Check for free One of the most challenging phases in research is creating a theoretical framework. Failure to include this part may result in your work being rejected by publishers or professors. It is a crucial part of dissertation writing because it offers a theoretical context that enables readers to assess your work. Specifically, it helps in establishing a foundation upon which all sections of a study are developed. But can you tell what is theoretical framework in research? Students, in general, find it very difficult to even define, choose, and formulate an appropriate background that can inform their research. If you are one of them, then this piece is specifically created to address your needs. The article describes ideas about how to write a theoretical framework. Additionally, you will gain insights into the types of theory in research so that you can create a solid blueprint for an inquiry. Contact our Ph.D. academic writers if you need help with dissertation. We're open to helping you anytime. What Is a Theoretical Framework: Definition So, what is a theoretical foundation? A theoretical framework is a summary of all theories that outline and clarify the boundaries of what you are investigating. It is impossible to explore all things associated with your topic. Rather, you usually present assumptions regarding how various ideas are related and explain a particular issue using a theoretical framework. These are the key variables, constructs, or factors of your dissertation that illuminate exactly the scope of analysis. Theoretical frameworks are critically important both for quantitative and qualitative studies. As the basis of a thesis or dissertation, they are built on existing and relevant research theories and must comply with your objectives. Theories intend to support and structure the rationale, problem, purpose, questions, and meaning of your research paper. Remember that as the investigation progresses and data is collected, the core assumptions you identified might also change. Thus, you can refine the context of your study along the way.   Why Are Theoretical Frameworks Important? Your work will be of no use if you cannot describe its theoretical foundation. Here is how the theoretical framework benefits your study. It: Guides all aspects of an inquiry from thesis declaration to the conclusion. It helps you in exploring diverse theories, which enriches your investigation’s strengths. Offers a structure demonstrating how your report is expressed. In particular, a theoretical framework in research can be stated analytically, epistemologically, or philosophically. Helps you avoid simple descriptions of an issue by examining different factors surrounding it. Thus, ensure to affirm your theoretical statements. Allows readers to evaluate your manuscript from varying angles. Enables you to predict your research problem, including any limits of your focus area. Its importance is in specifying which main variables affect your dissertation topic and explaining how they vary based on what conditions. Acts as a tool for filtering relevant questions and guiding data collection. Types of Research Theories There is a close connection between an investigation and what model is used, as stated previously, about how important it is to establish a theoretical basis. This association can be characterized as a transaction in which theoretical models determine the kind of data that can be collected and how a study should be organized. Therefore, it is essential to know the three types of theory in research: Descriptive This is what an exploratory researcher uses in classifying a particular feature or element of an event, situation, group, or individual by identifying commonalities. Usually, this is done after observing them discreetly. It is a simple type of theory in research, and is needed when you do not understand a phenomenon entirely. Relational These research theories are used by mostly correlational researchers in specifying how various characteristics of a phenomenon of interest are related. Researchers use them to explain the relationship between different parts of an issue. Their development requires one to know the essential aspects of a problem or first develop and validate a descriptive model. Explanatory Explanatory theories in research go further than relational accounts by precisely predicting the causative association between dimensions of a topic or how groups differ. Experimental investigators develop these models after formulating relational ones and use them to address cause and effect type of questions. Theoretical Framework in Research At this point, you already know what a theoretical framework is. However, you may not understand the types of theories in research that you can consider for an inquiry. Well, a model offers a perspective through which you will explore a study problem. But, this view can be from any theoretical approach depending on the nature of your manuscript. Specifically, different categories of frameworks can be selected. Examples include grounded, critical, leadership, driving force, phenomenological, transcendental, and feminist theories. Others are functional, postmodernism, Marxist, constructionist, critical race, and game approach. As highlighted earlier, your field of study and discipline influence which theoretical model you will use. Even within a specific discipline, your pick affects how the analysis will be conducted because a single topic can be interpreted by different philosophies. Consider domestic violence as an example. Conflict theory will look into differences in resource possession as the cause, while the functional system will focus on gender role differences. Thus, the best way to find applicable concepts for your paper involves immersing yourself in the existing literature about a phenomenon. While you may find a specific principle, the theoretical review will reveal one or different interrelated core ideas from which to frame an investigation. Whatever choice you have, make sure to explain it in your work. Buy dissertations at StudyCrumb in case you have limited time and can’t prepare your theoretical framework. Theoretical Framework Structure The theoretical framework is an illustrative view of the link you anticipate seeing between variables of interest. These concepts are generated after reviewing relevant studies. Therefore, place this section just after a literature review segment to guide your methodology part. Learn how to write your theoretical framework by following this layout. Structure it by: Setting your objectives and aims first. This helps you relate a model to the main goals. Defining and explaining a theory. Clarify which approach you are focusing on, its major supporters, and its applications. Developing a strong argument. Evaluate your selection critically over other potential models. Choosing and describing your thoughts. Identify which side you are on and why. Ascertaining the ideas. Organize a theoretical framework by elaborating on which concepts you will use and why. Also, elucidate how these notions are associated with each other and the aims of your approach and how you will achieve the objectives. Stating your view. What is your epistemological and ontological standpoint? Recognizing any limitations of your framework. Expound why it cannot account for a specific feature of your work and solution [Original source: https://studycrumb.com/theoretical-framework]