What is the Difference Between a Literature Review and a Theoretical Framework?

In qualitative research, theoretical frameworks are foundational elements that shape the research process. It guides data collection and analysis and complements the interpretation of research findings. These frameworks provide a lens through which the research topic is viewed and understood. This helps formulate clear and focused research questions. A theoretical framework ensures the research is coherent and systematically addresses the phenomena under investigation.

The role of theoretical frameworks in qualitative research is particularly significant in informing the research design. They influence the choice of research methods, such as interviews, observations, and case studies. Theoretical frameworks also help researchers choose data collection and analysis that are appropriate for the research questions and objectives. The framework ensures the research is methodologically sound and aligned with the study's key concepts and theoretical underpinnings.

Theoretical frameworks can powerfully aid the interpretation of qualitative data. They offer a basis for understanding and making sense of the data, guiding the identification of patterns, themes, and relationships within the collected information. It provides a systematic approach to data analysis.

Theoretical frameworks also connect the current study with the existing literature and research context. They help situate the study within the ongoing scholarly conversation, identifying gaps in the literature and explaining how the current research addresses them. This connection with existing knowledge enhances the study's relevance and contributes to the development of the field by building on and extending previous studies.

What is a theoretical framework?

A theoretical framework provides a conceptual explanation for the research problem or question being investigated. It serves as a foundation that guides the formulation of research questions and research objectives. It is important to note that a literature review is not a theoretical framework but the initial step to build one.

While it is not always used, a theoretical framework helps qualitative researchers to analyze and interpret their findings by establishing a set of assumptions, concepts, and relationships that underpin their study. They serve multiple functions in research, including providing a pre-conceived explanation for the research problem or question being investigated. They help researchers analyze and interpret their findings by establishing a set of assumptions, concepts, and relationships that underpin their study.

In qualitative research, a theoretical framework can support analytical approaches such as phenomenology, ethnography, and narrative analysis. In contrast, other qualitative methodologies that focus on inductive theory building, such as grounded theory, typically do not rely on a theoretical framework that is constructed before analyzing the data. For studies that use theoretical frameworks, they can provide a foundation for developing codes, categories, and themes during data analysis. A theoretical framework encourages reflexivity and prompts researchers to examine their thoughts and assumptions.

A strong theoretical framework enhances the transferability of qualitative research findings. It helps readers understand how the findings can be applied to other contexts and settings and draw broader implications that contribute to theory and practice. This transferability is crucial for ensuring that qualitative research findings have a meaningful impact beyond the immediate study.

Theoretical frameworks play an essential role in qualitative research, providing structure, guiding data collection and analysis, connecting with existing literature, and enhancing the credibility, rigour, and transferability of the study. They ensure that qualitative research is systematic, coherent, and contributes significantly to the broader field of knowledge. A comprehensive understanding of the theoretical framework underscoring a study provides valuable guidance for researchers, from the formulation of the research question to the critical evaluation of research findings and their implications in extending existing knowledge.

What is the difference between a conceptual, theoretical and research framework?

In academic research, conceptual, theoretical, and research frameworks serve distinct but interconnected roles. Understanding these differences is crucial for structuring and presenting research effectively.

Conceptual framework

The conceptual framework is a broad outline that connects different concepts, ideas, and variables that are relevant to the research topic. It provides a visual or narrative structure that illustrates the relationships between these elements, guiding the overall direction of the study. The conceptual framework helps to clarify the research problem, objectives, and questions, and it often includes the main ideas or constructs central to the research. It also includes the concepts under study, outlining how they are expected to interact, the assumptions underlying the research, and how the concepts connect to the research question. The conceptual framework can even be developed before conducting the literature review, such that it reflects the researcher’s understanding of how different aspects of the research problem are connected.

Theoretical framework

The theoretical framework is more specific than the conceptual framework and is grounded in established theories and models within a particular field of study. It provides a lens through which the research problem is analyzed and interpreted, guiding the development of research questions and objectives. The theoretical framework draws from existing theories to provide a foundation for the research. It explains how these theories apply to the research problem and provides clear definitions of key concepts based on the chosen theories. The theoretical framework is essential for ensuring that the research is conceptually sound and aligns with established knowledge in the field.

Research framework

The research framework, often referred to as the research design or methodology, outlines the procedural aspects of the study, encompassing any conceptual or theoretical frameworks used in the research. It details the methods and techniques used for data collection and analysis, ensuring the study is systematically and rigorously conducted. The research framework includes the overall strategy and approach used to conduct the research (e.g., qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods). It also involves the tools and techniques used to gather data (e.g., surveys, interviews, experiments), the methods used to analyze the collected data (e.g., narrative analysis, thematic analysis), and the process of selecting participants or samples for the study. The research framework ensures that the study is methodologically sound and provides a clear roadmap for conducting the research.

How does a theoretical framework relate to a literature review?

Understanding how literature reviews and theoretical frameworks complement one another is essential for crafting a coherent and persuasive research paper. In some cases, such as shorter research papers or specific types of studies, the theoretical framework is woven into the literature review to explain how the current study builds upon and contributes to existing knowledge. In other studies, the literature review comes first and sets the stage for the theoretical framework by providing a comprehensive overview of existing knowledge on the topic. This section contextualizes the current study within the broader scholarly conversation, highlights significant findings and debates, and identifies gaps or inconsistencies that justify the need for new research. The literature review establishes the study's relevance and demonstrates the researcher’s familiarity with the topic.

Following the literature review, the theoretical framework is introduced. This section outlines the theories and concepts that underpin the research, providing a structured lens through which the research problem is analyzed. The literature review informs the theoretical framework that helps to shape the research questions, research questions, and methodology. The theoretical framework ensures the research methods and analytical strategies are aligned with the underlying theoretical perspectives by explaining theoretical concepts. It aids the interpretation of the research findings, offering a coherent explanation within the broader theoretical context.

The literature review establishes a foundation of existing knowledge, from which the theoretical framework is derived. This sequence ensures that the chosen theories are relevant and supported by existing research. The literature review provides the necessary context for understanding the theoretical approach.

Placing the literature review before the theoretical framework affirms that the research is grounded in existing knowledge and that the theoretical approach is well-informed and contextually relevant. By carefully structuring these sections, researchers can create a coherent and persuasive narrative that effectively supports their study.

How to write a theoretical framework in a literature review?

To write a theoretical framework within a literature review, follow these steps:

1. Identify relevant theories: Start by identifying theories and models that are relevant to your research topic. A theoretical framework can be derived from a single theory or combine multiple theories.

2. Discuss theories in context: Explain how these theories relate to your research question. Discuss their origins, key concepts, and how they have been applied in previous studies.

3. Justify your choice: Justify why these particular theories are suitable for your study. Highlight their relevance and how they will help in understanding the research problem.

4. Develop research questions: Based on the chosen theories, formulate research questions your study will address.

5. Integrate with a literature review: Use the theoretical framework to structure your review and highlight the conceptual foundation of your study. Explain the key concepts, their interrelationships, and how they relate to your research question.

How to write a theoretical framework separate from a literature review?

To write a literature review and theoretical framework as separate sections:

1. Start with the literature review: Begin by summarizing and synthesizing existing research related to your topic. Identify key studies, findings, and gaps in the literature.

2. Transition to the theoretical framework: Use your literature review to explain why your chosen theory or theories are well-suited to your research question. Explain how the theories and concepts you will use emerge from the literature you reviewed.

3. Present theories: Present the theories and models that underpin your study. Discuss their key concepts, relevance, and application to your research question.

4. Link to research: Link the theoretical framework to your research objectives. Show how the theories inform your research design and analysis.

5. Maintain coherence: Ensure that the literature review and theoretical framework are coherently integrated. Use the literature to justify your theoretical approach and guide the development of your study.

Conclusion

When conducting research, it is important to identify theoretical frameworks as it establishes a solid foundation for the research project. The literature review describes and critically analyzes existing scholarly articles, synthesizing current knowledge, and identifying gaps that the study aims to fill. This provides a deeper understanding of the research problem.

The theoretical framework draws from existing theories and concepts, offering a particular perspective that guides the research objectives and methods. It identifies key variables and sets critical boundary assumptions, creating a structured approach to analysis.

Combining a thorough review of related literature with a robust theoretical framework allows researchers to extend existing knowledge and gain new insights. This dual approach ensures methodological soundness and practical implications for other researchers, enhancing the relevance and impact of the study.

A well-integrated literature review and theoretical framework form the backbone of effective research. Identifying theoretical frameworks within a literature review guides research and enriches the general discussion on a particular topic.