Boon Yih Mah

Jan 2, 20235 min

Formulating a Theoretical Framework from Literature Review

Updated: Mar 26

A theoretical framework is a foundation for the entire investigation. A theory is a collection of concepts organised into assumptions and generalisations that lead to a hypothesis about a phenomenon. At the same time, a framework is the structure of an idea or notion and how it is put together. However, the terms "model" and "theory" are sometimes used interchangeably. A theoretical framework can be defined as follows:

  1. It is a structure that directs research based on a formal theory developed using an established, cohesive explanation of specific events and connections.

  2. It is an abstract representation of how one theorises or makes logical sense of the links between the many components recognised as significant to the problem.

  3. It is a logically developed, described and elaborated network of associations among the variables deemed relevant to the problem and identified through interviews, observations and a literature survey.

Theoretical Framework Attributes

A theoretical framework expresses the theoretical component of your research. It is a collection of interconnected theories that guide your research. A solid theoretical framework provides direction for your research, allowing you to interpret, explain, and generalise your findings convincingly. It plays an important role in research studies by providing focus and organisation to the study, exposing and obstructing the meaning, connecting the current study to previous studies, and identifying research strengths and weaknesses.

There is a need to search for theoretical understanding and translate it into meaningful practice by critically assessing the literature while establishing a theoretical framework. As a result of these interconnected relationships or networks, the theoretical framework is formed. Researchers may respond to a few questions adapted from Sinclair (2007) to construct a "loosely organised" theoretical framework for the developmental process. Here are some questions:

  1. What do I know about the phenomena I wish to investigate?

  2. What kinds of information can I acquire (empirical, theoretical, intuitive, implicit, moral, or ethical)?

  3. What theory would most effectively guide my study topic?

  4. Do prior research studies support the idea?

  5. What additional hypotheses are pertinent to this research project?

  6. How can I put these theories and discoveries into practice?

A good theoretical framework has the following attributes:

  1. It elaborates on the relationships among the variables, explains the theory underlying these relations, and describes the nature and direction of the relationships.

  2. It analyses the interrelationships between the factors that are thought to be essential to the dynamics of the situation under investigation.

  3. It identifies the network of relationships among the variables deemed important to studying any given problem situation.

  4. It proposes or hypothesises specific connections and tests them to increase our understanding of the situation's characteristics.

    1. The anticipated associations may be evaluated using proper statistical methods.

    2. Testable hypotheses can be constructed based on the theoretical framework to determine if the theory proposed is valid or not.

  5. It expands on the variables' connections, discusses the theory underpinning these interactions, and specifies the nature and direction of the relationships.

Theoretical Versus Conceptual Frameworks

1. Similarities

  1. Reliability

    1. Both explain the future course of the study, thereby justifying the study's reliability.

    2. They emphasise the study's reliability in light of previous research findings and theories.

  2. Problem

    1. Both are used to comprehend a research problem.

    2. They direct the research's development, collection, and analysis.

  3. Relationship

    1. Both demonstrate the relationship between ideas and theories.

    2. They show how ideas and theories relate to the research.

2. Differences

  1. Foundation

    1. The theoretical framework is founded on a theory or existing theories (for example, the theory of motivation).

    2. The conceptual framework is the study's literal meaning as determined by dictionary definitions and empirical findings from other sources.

  2. Problem

    1. The theoretical framework investigates the current research problem through the lens of previous relevant theories from the literature.

    2. The conceptual framework examines the current research problem through the lens of existing knowledge, strategy, and what the researchers want us to know about the topic.

  3. Design

    1. A theoretical framework is commonly used in quantitative research.

    2. A conceptual framework is commonly used in qualitative research.

  4. Ideas

    1. A theoretical framework contains a wide range of ideas and theories.

    2. The conceptual framework includes the researcher's specific concept in the study.

  5. Focus

    1. The theoretical framework focuses on the historical context as well as the structure to close the knowledge gap.

    2. The conceptual framework focuses on the fundamental concepts that characterise the study variable to provide an informed understanding of the study.

After understanding the similarities and differences between theoretical and conceptual frameworks, here are the steps to creating a good theoretical framework.

  1. Examine your research problem.

  2. Consider your research's variables.

  3. List the constructs and variables that may be relevant to your research.

  4. Examine previous related literature for answers to your research question.

  5. Use specific diagrammatic representation to present your theoretical framework.

Diagrammatic Representations Solutions

Theoretically, theoretical frameworks may be grouped into six main forms of diagrammatic representations displayed in "boxes and arrows". These include cause and effect, linear or cyclical, hierarchical, matrix, overlapping, and layered models. The boxes represent the concepts or components, while the arrows show their links. Below are the diagrammatic representations for various often-used of frameworks in building the theoretical framework.

1. Cause and Effect Model

In this form, the item at the start of the arrow causes or influences the item's position at the arrowhead. Theoretical frameworks based on cause-and-effect relationships are often the basis of hypothetical-deductive research. The "arrows" in the diagram can be converted into a series of hypotheses that can be tested. An example of a cause-and-effect model showing the effect of factor W, factor X and factor Y on the outcome, Z, is shown below.

The two other examples below are derived from Sekaran's (2003) general theoretical framework showing the association between the independent variables (IV) and the dependent variables (DV).

2. Linear or Cyclical Model

This model's connections, as shown in the diagram below, are based on logic and order. It progresses in a logical order from stage to stage. Any other arrangement would be ineffective and pointless.

As shown in the diagram below, relationships can also be linked in a cyclical fashion (loop).

The diagram below is another instance of a cyclical model with more than three ideas.

3. Hierarchical Model

Relationships in this framework are prioritised from least to most important. A classic example is Maslow's (1954) food pyramid of requirements, which demonstrated that basic, low-level physiological and safety needs must be met before pursuing higher-level needs such as self-fulfilment. A triangle may be used to represent the hierarchy of requirements, with the higher-order needs at the triangle's apex, A, and the lower-order needs at the triangle's base, B, as shown below.

4. Matrix Model

A theoretical framework may also be represented in the form of a matrix. For example, a contingency table that accommodates the independent variables (V) and dependent variables (DV) may be shown in a 2x2 matrix below.

5. Overlapping Model

This theoretical framework depicts groupings of related concepts gathered together as seen in the diagrams below. The two typical examples of overlapping models are Shulman's (1986) and Mah's (2021) frameworks. As shown in the left diagram below, Shulman's pedagogical content knowledge (Y) is made up of the similarity between content knowledge (X) and pedagogical knowledge (Z). Based on Mah's (2021) e-framework as seen in the right diagram below, Web-based Cognitive Writing Instruction or WeCWI is a synthesis of language acquisition (X), cognitive theories (Y), and composition studies (Z) within an e-learning environment.

6. Layered Model

Sometimes the concepts overlap in a layered fashion rather than as shown above. The model presented below can be used to build a generic representation of this form of theoretical framework. X and Y are the external factors of Z as the outcome.

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