THEORY

Theory and Choice of Theoretical Framework for Research



Theory and Choice of Theoretical Framework for Research

Introduction

Theory can offer many things to the researcher. It can be used to explain phenomena, generate hypotheses and suggest additional directions for research. In turn, the results from research can be used to refine existing theory (Maxwell, 2009).

The main objective of this article is to describe at least two theoretical frameworks which might be chosen for the purported research problems. Furthermore, explanations would also indulge on why these theoretical frameworks were chosen. The arguments in the article would than focus on how will the choice(s) of theoretical frameworks affect the manner in which research has to be conducted. Thus forth the paper would enlighten on the concept of theory and some essential theoretical frameworks used for research and study. These explanations would be provided with constructive critiques, for each of the iterated theoretical framework.

Discussion

The research approach is necessary to make explicit what we intend to meet, so it is essential to define the problem to be investigated. The statement of the problem therefore discusses on internal objectives and external research that would be incorporated in the process. This is because no fact or phenomenon of reality can be addressed without adequate conceptualization (Shields & Nandhini, 2013). The researcher has to use some form of theoretical framework and concept, though they do not yet have precise systematic characteristics. The theoretical framework or conceptual reference framework is intended to give research coordinated and coherent system of concepts and propositions that will address the problem (Schmitt, 1994). It means to make clear to the researcher their postulates and assumptions, bear the fruits of previous research and strive to guide the work in a consistent manner. The end result is that the theoretical framework has placed our problem statement in a body of knowledge, to guide our search and we provide adequate conceptualization of the terms we use. The starting point to build a framework is our prior knowledge of the phenomena we address, and lessons we draw from the literature review. For instance, if we know the causes of juvenile delinquency, it will be convenient to approach the issue from various aspects. These would include from the psychological, psychosocial, economic, legal perspectives etc (Botha, 1989).

In many researches, the researchers do not show a separate section called "theoretical framework", but it essentially illustrates the characteristics within the section of "literature review" or "background" (Kaplan, 1964). At other times, when it is under investigation where reference is reduced to a few propositions, these can be inserted into the beginning of the work, without deserving greater clarification. This is the case studies applied research or seeking to extend well-known concepts or new studies. In summary, the theoretical framework is to answer the question: background on the problem statement? Thus, the theoretical framework aims to provide a system research with coordinated and coherent concepts, propositions and postulates, which allows users to get a complete overview of the theoretical system on scientific knowledge, ...