Theoretical and Conceptual Frameworks
Summary
TLDRThis week's lecture focuses on theoretical and conceptual frameworks in research methodology. The script explains the nature of theories as sets of ideas explaining phenomena, their development into hypotheses, and their testing. It contrasts theories with scientific laws, highlighting their roles in prediction and explanation. The lecture also delves into the purpose of theoretical frameworks in structuring research data analysis and the broader role of conceptual frameworks in planning and interpreting research. The importance of both in advancing scientific understanding is emphasized.
Takeaways
- π¬ **Theory Defined**: A theory is a set of linked ideas intended to explain something, providing a framework for observations, which are based on assumptions that can lead to testable hypotheses.
- π **Theory vs. Law**: Theories explain 'why' things happen, while scientific laws predict 'what' will happen under certain conditions.
- π **Kepler's Example**: Johannes Kepler's laws of planetary motion are still used, but his theory of cosmic harmonies was replaced by the concept of gravity.
- π **Evolution of Theories**: Scientific theories are continually revised or replaced as new evidence emerges, showing the dynamic nature of scientific understanding.
- π§ͺ **Value of Theories**: Even incorrect theories contribute to scientific progress by paving the way for better theories and new discoveries.
- ποΈ **Theoretical Framework**: Composed of established theories, it provides a structure for framing data analysis and interpretations in research.
- π§ **Conceptual Framework**: Represents the entire thinking structure, methodology, and implementation of a research study, serving as a meta-cognitive approach to planning and executing research.
- π **Purpose of Frameworks**: Theoretical frameworks enhance credibility and validity in research, while conceptual frameworks provide a master plan for the research project.
- π **Characteristics of Theory**: A good theory is logical, coherent, with clearly defined variables and relationships, and makes specific predictions that can be tested.
- π **Characteristics of Frameworks**: They improve the reliability and validity of research findings, whether qualitative or quantitative, and aid in the confirmation and generalizability of these findings.
Q & A
What is the main focus of week seven's module on research methodology?
-The main focus is on theoretical and conceptual frameworks, discussing what they are, their differences, and their purposes.
What is a theory according to the script?
-A theory is a group of linked ideas intended to explain something, providing a framework for explaining observations based on assumptions, from which hypotheses can be developed and tested.
How is a scientific theory different from a scientific law?
-A scientific law predicts the results of certain initial conditions, while a theory provides the most logical explanation for why things happen as they do.
Can a theory evolve into a law?
-No, a theory will never grow up into a law. Theories and laws serve different purposes and are developed and revised independently.
What is the role of a theoretical framework in research?
-A theoretical framework is composed of theories by experts in the field and is used to frame data analysis and interpretations of findings.
What is a conceptual framework?
-A conceptual framework is a complete logical representation and association of all aspects of the underlying thinking structure, methodology, and implementation of a research study.
How does a conceptual framework differ from a theoretical framework?
-A theoretical framework is a subset of the conceptual framework. The conceptual framework encompasses all concepts and ideas used in planning, executing, and making sense of the research findings.
What is the purpose of a theoretical framework?
-It provides a structure for how research data will be interrogated, analyzed, and discussed more thoroughly with reference to theory.
What is the purpose of a conceptual framework?
-It serves as the logic master plan for the entire research project, guiding the planning, monitoring, and evaluation of the research tasks.
What are the characteristics of a good theory?
-A good theory is logical and coherent, has clearly defined variables, describes and explains phenomena, and makes specific predictions that can be tested and verified.
What benefits does a theoretical framework provide to research?
-It increases the credibility of qualitative data and the internal validity of quantitative data, enhances transferability or generalizability, and improves confirmation or objectivity of findings.
What are the characteristics of a conceptual framework?
-It involves a meta-cognitive approach to structuring by asking and interpreting questions about research, and it encompasses all the concepts and ideas used in the study.
Outlines
π¬ Understanding Theories and Frameworks
This paragraph introduces the concept of a scientific theory as a set of ideas that explain phenomena, which can be tested through hypotheses. It distinguishes between theories and laws, explaining that laws predict outcomes while theories explain why things happen. The historical development of theories is highlighted, using Johannes Kepler's laws of planetary motion as an example. The paragraph emphasizes the dynamic nature of scientific theories, which are subject to revision or replacement as new evidence emerges. It also touches on the importance of theories in driving scientific discovery and the process of scientific advancement.
π The Role of Theoretical Frameworks in Research
The second paragraph delves into the application of theories in research methodology through theoretical frameworks. It describes how researchers use established theories to analyze and interpret their data. The paragraph also introduces the idea of a theoretical framework as a structure that supports a research theory, akin to using prior research to make sense of new data. The purpose of a theoretical framework is to provide an academic foundation for understanding data, and it is part of a larger conceptual framework that encompasses the entire research process.
π§ Conceptual Frameworks: The Master Plan of Research
The final paragraph discusses the broader concept of a conceptual framework, which includes the theoretical framework but also encompasses the entire research process. It is described as a logical plan that guides the research project, from planning to evaluation. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of a conceptual framework in providing a comprehensive understanding of the research study, including how it will be conducted and the expected outcomes. It also mentions the characteristics of a good theory, such as being logical, coherent, and testable, and how these apply to both theoretical and conceptual frameworks.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Theory
π‘Theoretical Framework
π‘Conceptual Framework
π‘Scientific Law
π‘Hypothesis
π‘Assumptions
π‘Data Analysis
π‘Interpretation
π‘Coherence
π‘Predictions
π‘Generalizability
Highlights
Theoretical and conceptual frameworks are discussed in week seven of the introduction to research methodology module.
A theory is a group of linked ideas intended to explain something, providing a framework for observations.
Theories are based on assumptions, from which hypotheses can be developed and tested.
The difference between a theory and a law is explained, with laws predicting results and theories explaining why things happen.
Johannes Kepler's laws of planetary motion are mentioned as an example of how theories can evolve into laws.
The process of scientific discovery involves proposing, challenging, revising, or replacing scientific ideas.
The value of even incorrect theories is acknowledged, as they can lead to new discoveries.
The importance of both scientific laws and theories for a complete understanding is emphasized.
A theoretical framework is composed of theories by experts in your research field.
The theoretical framework is used to frame data analysis and interpretations of findings.
The purpose of a theoretical framework is to create an academic foundation for understanding data.
A conceptual framework is a complete logical representation of all aspects of a research study.
The conceptual framework is considered the master plan for the entire research project.
The theoretical framework is a subset of the conceptual framework.
Characteristics of a theory include being logical, coherent, with clearly defined variables and relationships.
Characteristics of a theoretical framework include increasing credibility and validity of data.
Characteristics of a conceptual framework include using a meta-cognitive approach to structuring research.
Conceptual frameworks can be presented as a diagram to simplify complex sets of concepts.
The lecture series will cover theoretical frameworks in more detail with a lecture by Dr. Joyce Asher Indy.
The lecture series will also cover conceptual frameworks in more detail with a lecture by Dr. George Trendy.
Transcripts
hi everyone and welcome to week seven of
the introduction to research methodology
module and this week we'll be looking at
theoretical and conceptual frameworks so
in this very short video we'll be
recapping what is the theory we'll be
looking at what are theoretical and
conceptual frameworks we were looking at
what is the difference between them and
what is their purpose right so what is
the theory it is a group of linked ideas
that's intended to explain something it
can then provide a framework for
explaining these observations these
explanations are then based on
assumptions and then from these
assumptions the number of possible
hypotheses can be developed and is about
the series can then be tested and they
can either support or challenge a theory
so let us now look at the next short
video going into a bit more detail on
what is the theory
[Music]
chat with a friend about an established
scientific theory and she might reply
well that's just a theory but a
conversation about an established
scientific law rarely ends with well
that's just a law why is that what is
the difference between a theory and a
law and is one better scientific laws
and theories have different jobs to do a
scientific law predicts the results of
certain initial conditions it might
predict your unborn child's possible
hair colors or how far of baseball
travels when launched at a certain angle
in contrast a theory tries to provide
the most logical explanation about why
things happen as they do a theory might
invoke dominant and recessive genes to
explain how brown haired parents ended
up with a redheaded child or use gravity
to shed light on the parabolic
trajectory of a baseball in simplest
terms a law predicts what happens while
a theory proposes why a theory will
never grow up into a law though the
development of one often triggers
progress on the other in the 17th
century Johannes Kepler theorized cosmic
musical harmonies to explain the nature
of planetary orbits he developed three
brilliant laws of planetary motion while
he was studying decades of precise
astronomical data in an effort to find
support for his theory while his three
laws are still in use today
gravity replaced his theory of harmonics
to explain the planets motions how did
Kepler get part of it wrong well we
weren't handed a universal instruction
manual instead we continually proposed
challenged revise or even replace our
scientific ideas as a work in progress
laws usually resist change since they
wouldn't have been adopted if they
didn't fit the day
though we occasionally revise laws in
the face of new unexpected information a
theories acceptance however is often
gladiatorial multiple theories may
compete to supply the best explanation
of a new scientific discovery upon
further research scientists tend to
favor the theory that can explain most
of the data though there may still be
gaps in our understanding scientists
also like when a new theory successfully
predicts previously unobserved phenomena
like when Dmitri Mendeleev theory about
the periodic table predicted several
undiscovered elements the term
scientific theory covers a broad swath
some theories are new ideas with little
experimental evidence that scientists I
with suspicion or even ridicule other
theories like those involving the Big
Bang evolution and climate change have
endured years of experimental
confirmation before earning acceptance
by the majority of the scientific
community you would need to learn more
about a specific explanation before you
know how well scientists perceive it the
word theory alone doesn't tell you
in full disclosure the scientific
community has bet on the wrong horse
before alchemy the geocentric model
spontaneous generation and the
interstellar ether are just a few of
many theories discarded in favor of
better ones but even incorrect theories
had their value discredited alchemy was
the birthplace of modern chemistry and
medicine made great strides long before
we understood the roles of bacteria and
viruses that said better theories often
lead to exciting new discoveries that
were unimaginable under the old way of
thinking nor should we assume all of our
current scientific theories will stand
the test of time a single unexpected
result is enough to challenge the status
quo
however vulnerability to some
potentially better explanation doesn't
weaken a current scientific theory
instead it shields science from becoming
unchallenged Dogma a good scientific law
is a finely tuned machine accomplishing
its tasks brilliantly but ignorant of
why it works as well as it does a good
scientific theory is a bruised but
unbowed fighter who risks defeat if
unable to overpower or adapt to the next
Challenger though different science
needs both laws and theories to
understand the whole picture so next
time someone comments that it's just a
theory
challenge them to go 9 rounds with the
champ and see if they can do any better
so very briefly what is a threat skull
framework is composed of theories by
experts in your research field you will
then draw on these theories in which you
frame your data analysis and
interpretations of your findings and one
way of looking at it is there is a data
mining lens actually use take into
account prior research knowledge in your
field to make sense of your own data and
interpreting your findings so
essentially the physical framework is a
structure that can hold or support a
theory of your research right so you may
ask why what is the purpose of a three
to go framework well it creates an
academic foundation on which you can
make sense of your data so a theoretical
framework is geared to provide a
structure for how you will interrogate
the research data how you will analyze
the data and find patterns within the
data and how you will assist in
discussing the data more thoroughly with
reference in theory we will have a
lecture by dr. Joyce Asher Indy from the
school of systems and public health that
will give you a bit more detail on
theoretical frameworks in the next
series of lectures
[Music]
you
[Music]
all right so now that we've seen what or
rather what is a concept what is a
conceptual framework well it is a
complete logical representation and
Association of all the aspects of the
underlying thinking structure
methodology and implementation of your
entire research study so the conceptual
framework can be considered as the
conceptualization of your research study
and conceptualization in this context
means that the conceptual framework is a
meta cognitive approach to your research
and what we mean by that it means that
throughout the planning you gain
knowledge of yourself of the tasks as
well as the strategies meaning it gives
you a framework where you plan will you
monitor and we evaluate the task and all
of these adds to a framework where you
understand what your study is about how
you'll be doing your study how you will
be analyzing the results and how you
would present these results you're going
to read a little bit more about this of
this approach there's an article by
Talbott which you can read and I've
included the reference in the reference
list if you'd like to know more about
that so what is the purpose of a
conceptual framework well it is the
logic master plan for your entire
research project the theoretical
framework is only a subset of the
conceptual framework so the conceptual
framework is the product of your your
personal thinking on your research study
and since most of the considered part of
the conceptual framework have sections
of their own which needs to be addressed
in the research process there is no need
in taking the risk of trying to unravel
all these complex sets of concepts you
might present one diagram and say this
is my conceptual framework for my entire
study and you might not go into all the
detail especially if it is something
complex so in summary we had a look at
what are the characteristics of the
theory it
be logical and coherent the variable
should be clearly defined relationships
between variables must be clearly
described and theory describes explains
and make specific predictions the pose
of claims being made which should be
able to be tested and verified we had a
look at the characteristics of a
theoretical framework they increased
credibility of qualitative data and the
internal validity of the quantitative
data it enhances transferability of the
findings from qualitative data or
generalizability of quantitative
analysis it increases the confirmation
of findings in qualitative data or the
objectivity of quantitative it also
improves the dependability of
qualitative data or the reliability of
the findings in quantitative data we
were going to theoretical frameworks a
little bit more in a lecture by dr.
George trendy we had briefly looked at
the characteristics of conceptual
frameworks we talked about using the
meta cognitive approach to structuring
by asking and interpreting questions and
all issues about research and they can
be considered as an overarching term
encompassing all the concepts and ideas
so these are the concepts and ideas you
will use as you plan execute and make
sense of the findings of your study we
will have a look at conceptual
frameworks also late in this week and
I'll be explaining this to you in a bit
more detail here are a few references
that you can have a look at you would
like more information thank you very
much for your time and I look forward to
the next lecture
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