Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • 639 views

    Theoretical Framework

    Uploaded by

    Star Bajwa
    1. A theoretical framework guides research by determining what variables to measure and relationships to examine. It connects a study to existing knowledge and allows researchers to generalize findings. 2. Developing a theoretical framework involves examining the research topic and problem, identifying key variables, reviewing related literature, and choosing a theory that can best explain relationships between variables. 3. Tips for developing a theoretical framework include carefully selecting an appropriate theory that makes sense for the research, consulting advisors, and ensuring the framework connects to other parts of the research study.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Theoretical Framework

    Uploaded by

    Star Bajwa
    639 views2 pages
    1. A theoretical framework guides research by determining what variables to measure and relationships to examine. It connects a study to existing knowledge and allows researchers to generalize findings. 2. Developing a theoretical framework involves examining the research topic and problem, identifying key variables, reviewing related literature, and choosing a theory that can best explain relationships between variables. 3. Tips for developing a theoretical framework include carefully selecting an appropriate theory that makes sense for the research, consulting advisors, and ensuring the framework connects to other parts of the research study.

    Copyright

    © Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)

    Available Formats

    DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    1. A theoretical framework guides research by determining what variables to measure and relationships to examine. It connects a study to existing knowledge and allows researchers to generalize findings. 2. Developing a theoretical framework involves examining the research topic and problem, identifying key variables, reviewing related literature, and choosing a theory that can best explain relationships between variables. 3. Tips for developing a theoretical framework include carefully selecting an appropriate theory that makes sense for the research, consulting advisors, and ensuring the framework connects to other parts of the research study.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as doc, pdf, or txt
    639 views2 pages

    Theoretical Framework

    Uploaded by

    Star Bajwa
    1. A theoretical framework guides research by determining what variables to measure and relationships to examine. It connects a study to existing knowledge and allows researchers to generalize findings. 2. Developing a theoretical framework involves examining the research topic and problem, identifying key variables, reviewing related literature, and choosing a theory that can best explain relationships between variables. 3. Tips for developing a theoretical framework include carefully selecting an appropriate theory that makes sense for the research, consulting advisors, and ensuring the framework connects to other parts of the research study.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as doc, pdf, or txt
    of 2

    Theoretical framework A theoretical framework guides research, determining what variables to measure, and what statistical relationships to look

    for. Trochim (2006) in The Research Methods Knowledge Base, states that there are two realms involved in researchtheory and observation. Theory is what goes on inside the heads of scientists while observation is what goes on in the real world or measures and observations. In conducting research, one works between these two realms. Theory guides every aspect of research, from formulation of the research question through operationalization and discussion. Uses of theoretical framework In How to Write a successful Research Grant Application: A Guide for Social and Behavioral Scientists, Gregory Herek writes that the theoretical framework strengthens the researchers research in several ways: 1. Explicit statement of the theoretical assumptions permits them to be evaluated critically. 2. The theoretical framework connects the researcher to existing knowledge. Guided by a relevant theory, researchers have a basis for their hypotheses and choice of research methods. 3. Articulating the theoretical assumptions of a research study forces the researcher to address questions of why and how. It permits researchers to move from simply describing a phenomenon observed to generalizing about various aspects of that phenomenon. 4. Having a theory helps to identify the limits to those generalizations. A theoretical framework specifies which key variables influence a phenomenon of interest. It alerts the researcher to examine how those key variables might differ in varied populations How to develop the theoretical framework To develop the theoretical framework, here is a useful guide that I have shared with my students: 1. Examine your thesis title or topic and research problem. Example: Farmers comprehension of usage instructions on pesticide packaging

    2. Brainstorm on what you consider to be the key variables in your research. Answer the question: What factors contribute to the presumed effect (dependent variable)? In our example above, it is: What are the determinants of farmers comprehension of usage instructions? What factors influence the way farmers understand usage instructions on packaging (boxes, bottles)? 3. Read and review related literature to find answers to your research question. 4. List the constructs and variables that might be relevant to your study. Group variables into independent and dependent. In our example thesis topic above, these would be: Dependent variable: Farmers comprehension of usage instructions Independent: Farmers sources of pest management information, perceived credibility of source and frequency of exposure 5. Review the social science theories (communication, psychology, sociology, anthropology) and choose the theory that can best explain the relationships between the key variables in your study. 6. Discuss the assumptions or propositions of this theory and point out their relevance to your research. Some tips It is easy to err in the choice of appropriate theory. Read the theories carefully and make sure they make sense to your proposed research. Consult your thesis adviser, research instructor or favorite instructor about your choice of theory. The theoretical framework is not a stand-alone copy and paste operation where you Google the theory and voila you copy and paste what wikipedia churns out. A theory is selected on the basis of how best it can explain the relationships among the variables. There should be a connection between the theoretical framework, conceptual framework, operationalization, and instrument

    You might also like