THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

A. DEFINITION OF TERMS

Theories

It is a set of interrelated concepts, which structure a systematical view of phenomena for purpose

of explaining or predicting. A theory is like a blueprint a guide for modeling a structure. A

blueprint depicts the element of structure and the relation of each element to other just as a

theory depicts the concepts, which compose it and the relation of concepts with each other.

Framework

In general, a framework is a real or conceptual structure intended to serve as a support or guide

for a building of something that expands the structure into something useful. Logical structure or

theoretical framework is the set of terms and relationships within which the problem is

formulated and solved. Such frameworks may vary greatly in format and sophistication. 

Theoretical Framework

Kombo and Tromp define theoretical framework as collection of interrelated ideas based on

theories. It is reasoned set of prepositions, which are derived from and supported by data or

evidence. A theoretical framework accounts for or explains phenomena. It attempts to clarify

why things are the way they are based on theories. A theoretical framework is a general set of

assumption about the nature of phenomena. A theoretical framework is a collection concept. It

guides your research, determining what things you will measure and what statistical relationship

you will look for.

B. FUNCTIONS OF THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

To expound the structure or framework within the situation will be investigated.

1. To conceptualize or state the theory in which terms the investigator will examine the

problem.

2. To validate the application of the particular theoretical framework in the investigation of

the problem in terms of its anticipated advantages and consequences.

A theoretical framework plays a major role in research. These include the followings:

a. It introduces the researcher to a new view of research problem. This enables the

researcher to understand the total realm of problem.

b. It enable the researcher to conceptualize the topic in it’s entirely as an outgrowth of the

larger society. This helps the researcher to acknowledge the problem from a wider

perspective and not from a narrow personalized self-interest approach. This enhances the

researcher objectivity.

A theoretical framework are also important in exploratory studies, where you really don’t know

much about what is going on, and are trying to learn more. These are two reasons why

theoretical frameworks are important here:

No matter how little you think you know about a topic, and how unbiased you think you are, It is

impossible for a human being not to have preconceived notions, even if they are of a very

general native. For example, some people fundamentally believed that people are lazy and

untrustworthily, and you have keep your wits about you to avoid being conned. These

fundamental beliefs about human nature affect how you look things when doing personnel

research.

In this case you are always being guided by a theoretical framework, but you don’t know it. Not

knowing what your real framework is can be a problem. The framework tends to guide what you

notice in an organization, and what you don’t notice. In other words, you don’t even notice

things that don’t fit your framework! We can never completely get around this problem but we

can reduce the problem considerably by simply making our implicit framework explicit. Once it

is explicit, we can deliberately consider other frameworks and try to see the organizational

situation through different lenses.

A theoretical framework is foundation on which the entire research project is based. It is a

logically developed, described and elaborated network of association among the variables

deemed relevant to the problem situation and identified through such processes an interview,

observation, and literature survey. Experience and intuition also guide in developing the

theoretical framework.

A good theoretical framework identifies and labels the important variable in the situation that

relevant to the problem defined. It logically describes the interconnection among these variables.

In any particular study, variables can play different roles. Two key roles are independent

variables and dependent variables. Usually there is only one dependent variable, and it is the

outcome variable, the one you are trying to predict. Variation in the dependent variable is what

you are trying to explain. For example, if we do a study to determine why some people are more

satisfied in their jobs than others, job satisfaction is the dependent variable.

The independent variables, also known as the predictor or explanatory variables, are the factors

that you think explain variation in the dependent variable. In other words, these are the causes.

For example, you may think that people are more satisfied with their jobs if they are given a lot

of freedom to do what they want, and if they are well-paid. So 'job freedom' and 'salary' are the

independent variables, and 'job satisfaction' is the dependent variable. This is diagrammed as

follows:

Independent Variable Dependent Variable

There are actually two other kinds of variables, which are basically independent variables and

dependent variable. In addition to these two types of variables, we have also another type of

variable called the moderating or intervening variable. A moderator or intervening variable is

one that modifies the relationship between two other variables.

For example, suppose that the cases are whole organizations, and you believe that diversity in the

organization can help make them more profitable (because diversity leads to fresh outlooks on

old problems), but only if managers are specially trained in diversity management (otherwise all

that diversity causes conflicts and miscommunication). Here, diversity is clearly an independent

variable, and profitability is clearly a dependent variable. But what is diversity training? Its main

function seems to be adjust the strength of relation between diversity and profitability

C. QUALITIES AND EFFECTIVE OF THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

An effective theoretical framework should;

a. Account for and explain a phenomenon

b. Be specific and well articulated.

c. Reflect the research problem being addressed.

d. Provide tentative answers to questions, issues and problems addressed in the research

problem.

e. Should systematically address the various aspects of the problem particularly the key

factors that are assumed to influence or cause the problem.

D. STEPS IN FORMULATING A THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

In formulating an effective theoretical framework, the researcher should adhere to the following;

a. Reflect-On the existing theories for the purpose of identifying a fitting context.

b. Analyze the research title to identify the independent and dependent variables. These

researchers should then reflect on the relationship between these variables.

c. Find out which theories best explain the relationship between the variables. This can

achieve by using the library and reading books and articles related to the topic selected.

The researcher should read through various theories related to one’s research topic.

d. Formulation-The researcher should then write down the theories applicable, link the ideas

and identify the relationship. After this the researcher should formulate the theoretical

framework. This will involve discussing the selected theories in an attempt to answer the

research question.

e. Evaluation-After formulating the theoretical framework, the researcher should evaluate it

to find out if it addresses all sections of the research problem.

E. CHALLENGES FACED IN FORMULATION OF THEORETICAL FRAMEWORKS

Lack of differentiation between a theory and theoretical framework; while a theory simply states

what proponents have discovered in relation to a certain issue, a theoretical framework uses this

theory to account for and clarify why things are they are. The researcher should therefore avoid

simply stating the theories applicable to study. Moreover, some researchers quote theories that

do not explain the phenomenon under study.