Theoretical framework
Definition
Theories are formulated to explain, predict, and understand phenomena and, in many cases, to challenge and
extend existing knowledge, within the limits of the critical bounding assumptions. The theoretical framework is
the structure that can hold or support a theory of a research study. The theoretical framework introduces and
describes the theory which explains why the research problem under study exists.
Importance of Theory
1. A theoretical framework consists of concepts, together with their definitions, and existing
theory/theories that are used for your particular study.
The theoretical framework must demonstrate an understanding of theories and concepts that are relevant
to the topic of your research paper and that will relate it to the broader fields of knowledge in the class
you are taking.
2. The theoretical framework is not something that is found readily available in the literature.
You must review course readings and pertinent research literature 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.
3. The theoretical framework strengthens the study in the following ways.
a. An explicit statement of theoretical assumptions permits the reader to evaluate them critically.
b. The theoretical framework connects the researcher to existing knowledge. Guided by a relevant theory,
you are given a basis for your hypotheses and choice of research methods.
c. Articulating the theoretical assumptions of a research study forces you to address questions of why and
how. It permits you to move from simply describing a phenomenon observed to generalizing about
various aspects of that phenomenon.
d. Having a theory helps you to identify the limits to those generalizations. A theoretical framework
specifies which key variables influence a phenomenon of interest. It alerts you to examine how those key
variables might differ and under what circumstances.
Strategies for Developing the Theoretical Framework
I. Developing the Framework
Here are some strategies to develop of an effective theoretical framework:
1. Examine your thesis title and research problem. The research problem anchors your entire study and
forms the basis from which you construct your theoretical framework.
2. Brainstorm on what you consider to be the key variables in your research. Answer the question,
what factors contribute to the presumed effect?
3. Review related literature to find answers to your research question.
4. List the constructs and variables that might be relevant to your study. Group these variables into
independent and dependent categories.
5. Review the key social science theories that are introduced to you in your course readings and choose the
theory or theories that can best explain the relationships between the key variables in your study [note the
Writing Tip on this page].
6. Discuss the assumptions or propositions of this theory and point out their relevance to your research.
A theoretical framework is used to limit the scope of the relevant data by focusing on specific variables and
defining the specific viewpoint (framework) that the researcher will take in analyzing and interpreting the data to
be gathered, understanding concepts and variables according to the given definitions, and building knowledge by
validating or challenging theoretical assumptions.
II. Purpose
Think of theories as the conceptual basis for understanding, analyzing, and designing ways to investigate
relationships within social systems. To the end, the following roles served by a theory can help guide the
development of your framework.*
1. Means by which new research data can be interpreted and coded for future use,
2. Response to new problems that have no previously identified solutions strategy,
3. Means for identifying and defining research problems,
4. Means for prescribing or evaluating solutions to research problems,
5. Way of telling us that certain facts among the accumulated knowledge are important and which facts are
not,
6. Means of giving old data new interpretations and new meaning,
7. Means by which to identify important new issues and prescribe the most critical research questions that
need to be answered to maximize understanding of the issue,
8. Means of providing members of a professional discipline with a common language and a frame of
reference for defining boundaries of their profession, and
9. Means to guide and inform research so that it can, in turn, guide research efforts and improve professional
practice.
