Introduction

Research involves a systematic and thorough investigation to uncover new knowledge or gain a
deeper understanding of existing phenomena. A vital element of any research report is the
theoretical framework, which forms the basis of the study. This assignment examines the
importance of the theoretical framework in a research report, emphasizing its role in directing the
research process, providing context to the study, interpreting results, defining the scope, and
boosting the research’s credibility.
What is Research?
Research is a systematic and disciplined inquiry that aims to discover, interpret, and expand
knowledge in a specific field of study. It is a process of investigation that goes beyond mere
observation or gathering of information. Research involves formulating research questions or
hypotheses, designing methodologies, collecting and analyzing data, and drawing meaningful
conclusions.1
Kasi (2009)2 defines “Research is, therefore, a method for investigating and collecting
information aimed at the discovery of new facts or interpretation of existing information, to
discover or revise facts, theories, and applications.”
What is theory?
Before we delve into what theoretical framework is we will first define what theory is to better
our understanding.
In both objectivist deductive and subjectivist inductive research, the term theory holds largely the
same meaning. A theory is a set of propositions that are logically related, expressing the
relation(s) among several different constructs and propositions. In other words, a theory is an
abstract description of the relationships between concepts that help us to understand the world. A
theory can be supported by preliminary data or by a vast body of research—the more data
supporting the theory, the stronger it becomes.3
Theories can be descriptive, explanatory, emancipatory, disruptive, or predictive. Theories can
also have different levels of explanatory power. There are grand theories that are highly abstract
and that tend to be concerned with broad natural or social patterns (e.g., Marxist theories of
society), middle-range theories that address more specific aspects of human interactions (e.g.,
actor–network theory), and micro theories that focus on individual-level phenomena (e.g.,
symbolic interactionism).4
Theoretical framework

1
What is Research? - Definition, Objectives & Types of Research - Library & Information Science Education Network
(lisedunetwork.com)
2
Kasi, P. (2009). Research: What, Why and How? AuthorHouse.
3
Varpio, Lara PhD; Paradis, Elise PhD; Uijtdehaage, Sebastian PhD; Young, Meredith PhD. The Distinctions between
Theory, Theoretical Framework, and Conceptual Framework.
4
Ibid
A theoretical framework is a logically developed and connected set of concepts and premises
developed from one or more theories that a researcher creates to scaffold a study. To create a
theoretical framework, the researcher must define any concepts and theories that will provide the
grounding of the research, unite them through logical connections, and relate these concepts to
the study that is being carried out. 5 In short, a theoretical framework is a reflection of
the work the researcher engages in to use a theory in a given study.
An example of a theoretical framework is a structure that defines the main ideas in a thesis or
dissertation. It limits the breadth of the study by narrowing the focus to key variables and their
relationship. Theoretical frameworks also give a researcher the specific structure that guides the
collection and interpretation of the relevant data in a research proposal.6
Developing a theoretical framework in research can help in the following situations:7
 When conducting research on complex phenomena because a theoretical
framework helps organize the research questions, hypotheses, and findings
 When the research problem requires a deeper understanding of the underlying concepts
 When conducting research that seeks to address a specific gap in knowledge
 When conducting research that involves the analysis of existing theories
Some of the types of theoretical framework are;8
1. Conceptual framework: this type of framework defines the key concepts and relationships
between them. It helps to provide a theoretical foundation for a study or research project.
2. Deductive Framework: This type of framework starts with a general theory or hypothesis
and then uses data to test and refine it. It is often used in quantitative research,
3. Inductive Framework: This type of framework starts with data and then develops a theory
or hypothesis based on the patterns and themes that emerge from the data. It is often used
in qualitative research.
4. Empirical Framework: This type of framework focuses on the collection and analysis of
empirical data, such as surveys or experiments. It is often used in scientific research.
5. Normative Framework: This type of framework defines a set of norms or values that
guide behavior or decision-making. It is often used in ethics and social sciences.
6. Explanatory Framework: This type of framework seeks to explain the underlying
mechanisms or causes of a particular phenomenon or behavior. It is often used in
psychology and social sciences.

5
Grant C, Osanloo A. Understanding, selection, and integrating a theoretical framework in dissertation research:
Creating the blueprint for yoNur “house.” Adm Issues J: Connect Educ Pract Res. 2014; 4:12–26.
6
https://www.bachelorprint.com/dissertation/example-of-a-theoretical-framework/
7
https://researcher.life/blog/article/what-is-a-theoretical-framework-how-to-write-it/
8
Theoretical framework—Types, examples, and writing guide. Research Method website. Accessed August 25,
2024. https://researchmethod.net/theoretical-framework/
The Significance of Theoretical Frameworks in a Report
The main reason you should develop a theoretical framework for your research is so as to have a
scholarly foundation for all your sense making of the meaning contained in your data. 9 The
theoretical framework provides a structure for what to look for in the data, for how you think of
how what you see in the data fits together, and helps you to discuss your findings more clearly,
in light of what existing theories say. It helps you to make connections between the abstract and
concrete elements you observe in your data. For example, the theoretical framework helps you to
raise questions such as, what do leaders in this field theories about my research question? What
existing theoretical ideas can I use to investigate and to understand my research problem?
According to the theories, what should I be looking for in the data to answer my research
question? Thus, the theoretical framework helps you to substantiate your argumentation.10
A theoretical framework helps you to justify what you say about the findings and
recommendations. It serves as a coat hanger for all your data analysis, interpretation of results
and discussion of findings. The use of the metaphor of the coat hanger to emphasizes that it is the
structure that you use to make the bits and pieces of your data hang together as one body of
knowledge.11 Another helpful metaphor that can be given is that your research data are bricks
lying haphazardly in the backyard, and your theoretical framework organizes them into a
particular structure – a wall of a house, a wall across territorial borders, a pier of a cathedral, an
arcade into a shopping mall. In each of these four structures, the bricks are given a different
meaning by the structure in which they hang. This metaphor here emphasizes that the theoretical
framework is the structure which helps you to interpret the meaning contained in your data. For
this reason, and to invoke another metaphor, the theoretical framework serves a very important
purpose as a lens through which you focus upon your data and see the meaning embedded within
the data. This lens can magnify the contents in the data, and reveal interconnections which make
meaning in answer to your research question, and in addressing your research problem. Without
this lens, chances are you could miss some of such interconnections. The theoretical framework
enables you to add depth to your data analysis by supporting what you say with reference to the
theories advanced by people whose knowledge on your topic is much deeper than yours, and in
many cases proven or unquestionable.12
In simple terms the above passage speaks to the importance of a theoretical framework pointing
out that a theoretical framework guides research designs, contextualizes findings and supports
recommendations. It is crucial because it provides a structured approach to analyzing and
interpreting your research data. It helps you organize your findings in a coherent manner, making
it easier to understand the relationships and patterns within your data.
Further, a theoretical framework enables you to report your findings in an analytical, evaluative
and creative way. This adds to the depth of your analysis and discussion of findings. It

9
Neuman, W. L. (1997). Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approaches. London: Allyn & Bacon.
10
Distinguishing between Theory, Theoretical Framework, and Conceptual Framework: A Systematic Review of
Lessons from the Field Dr. Charles Kivunja accessed at https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1198682.pdf
11
Ibid.
12
Ibid.
demonstrates your deep rather than surface understanding, of the meaning contained in your
data.13 It helps you to frame your arguments in light of what can be normally expected and in
consideration of what is most likely to be true. It deepens the academic and scholastic flavor of
your arguments.
To invoke Guba’s (1981) criteria for good research, we can say that a theoretical framework
helps the achievement of these criteria:14
 It increases the credibility of qualitative data or the internal validity of your quantitative
data.
 It may enhance the transferability of the findings from your qualitative data or external
validity and generalizability of quantitative data analysis.
 It increases the confirmability of your findings in qualitative data or objectivity of your
findings in quantitative data.
 It improves the dependability of your findings in qualitative data or reliability of
findings in quantitative data.
An important purpose of the theoretical framework is that it gives you the opportunity to state
your theoretical assumptions very clearly, so that your supervisors and thesis examiners will
know what guided your data analysis and interpretation. 15 Furthermore, in addition to spelling
out the assumptions, you also articulate which variables you will analyze. This helps you to
make your data analysis and interpretation more focused. Additionally, a good theoretical
framework should be seen to emerge from your literature review, your development of the
theoretical framework demonstrates to your supervisors and thesis examiners that you have
mastery of the relevant literature, from which the theoretical framework emerged. 16
Advantages of Theoretical Framework
Here are some of the advantages of having a theoretical framework:17
 Provides a clear direction: A theoretical framework helps researchers to identify the key
concepts and variables they need to study and the relationships between them. This
provides a clear direction for the research and helps researchers to focus their efforts and
resources.
 Increases the validity of the research: A theoretical framework helps to ensure that the
research is based on sound theoretical principles and concepts. This increases the validity
of the research by ensuring that it is grounded in established knowledge and is not based
on arbitrary assumptions.
13
Kivunja, C. (2015). Teaching, learning and assessment: Steps towards creative Practice.
14
Distinguishing between Theory, Theoretical Framework, and Conceptual Framework: A Systematic Review of
Lessons from the Field Dr. Charles Kivunja accessed at https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1198682.pdf
15
Ibid.
16
Ibid.
17
Theoretical framework—Types, examples, and writing guide. Research Method website. Accessed August 26,
2024. https://researchmethod.net/theoretical-framework/
  Enables comparisons between studies: A theoretical framework provides a common
language and set of concepts that researchers can use to compare and contrast their
findings. This helps to build a cumulative body of knowledge and allows researchers to
identify patterns and trends across different studies.
 Helps to generate hypotheses: A theoretical framework provides a basis for generating
hypotheses about the relationships between different concepts and variables. This can
help to guide the research process and identify areas that require further investigation.
 Facilitates communication: A theoretical framework provides a common language and
set of concepts that researchers can use to communicate their findings to other
researchers and to the wider community. This makes it easier for others to understand the
research and its implications.
Conclusion
In summary, the theoretical framework is an essential part of any research report. It provides a
structured approach to the research process, contextualizes the study, and enhances the
credibility of the findings. By grounding the research in existing theories, it ensures that the
study is connected to the broader body of knowledge and makes a meaningful contribution to the
field.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Grant C, Osanloo A. (2014) Understanding, selection, and integrating a theoretical framework
in dissertation research: Creating the blueprint for yoNur “house.” Adm Issues J: Connect Educ
Pract Res. 2014; 4:12–26.
Kasi, P. (2009). Research: What, Why and How? AuthorHouse.
Kivunja, C. (2015). Teaching, learning and assessment: Steps towards creative Practice.
Neuman, W. L. (1997). Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approaches.
London: Allyn & Bacon.
Varpio, Lara PhD; Paradis, Elise PhD; Uijtdehaage, Sebastian PhD; Young, Meredith PhD. The
Distinctions between Theory, Theoretical Framework, and Conceptual Framework.
Electronic references
Distinguishing between Theory, Theoretical Framework, and Conceptual Framework: A
Systematic Review of Lessons from the Field Dr. Charles Kivunja accessed at
https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1198682.pdf
Theoretical framework—Types, examples, and writing guide. Research Method website.
Accessed August 26, 2024. https://researchmethod.net/theoretical-framework/
What is Research? - Definition, Objectives & Types of Research - Library & Information
Science Education Network (lisedunetwork.com)
https://www.bachelorprint.com/dissertation/example-of-a-theoretical-framework/
https://researcher.life/blog/article/what-is-a-theoretical-framework-how-to-write-it/