Building a Theoretical Framework: Concepts & Utility

Posted on Mar 26, 2025 in Philosophy

Wiersma’s Model Summary

WIERSMA, an excellent way to summarize a model:

  1. Citation or bibliographic data
  2. Research problem
  3. Subject
  4. Research procedures
  5. Findings and conclusions

Building a Theoretical Framework

HOW to build a theoretical framework?

The theoretical framework depends largely on 2 factors: what we reveal in the literature review and the approach chosen.

Literature Review Outcomes

The literature reviewed REVEALS:

  1. There is a fully developed theory with plenty of empirical evidence.
  2. There are several theories that apply to our research problem.
  3. There are bits and pieces of theory that support our research problem.
  4. There are interesting findings, but partial, and short to conform to a theory.
  5. Guides are not yet studied and vague ideas.

Theory Definition

THEORY: KERLINGER defines it as a set of concepts, definitions, and interrelated propositions that present a systematic view of phenomena by specifying relations among variables, in order to explain and predict phenomena. These can be accompanied by sketches, diagrams, or graphical models.

Approaches to Theory: Qualitative & Quantitative

HOW TO USE THE AMOUNT APPROACHES THEORY, qualitative and mixed?

Qualitative Researchers

Qualitative researchers, using literature and an inductive theory, do not require strictly defined assumptions to begin work. The acquisition of important concepts emerges from the data collection in the field of study.

Quantitative Researchers

Quantitative Investigators base theories on available baselines and generate hypotheses that contain measurable variables, which are tested from their approach. These hypotheses are derived from existing knowledge and theory.

Roles of Theory

ROLES OF THEORY:

  1. The most important function of a theory is to explain: to say why, how, and when a phenomenon occurs.
  2. A function is to systematize and give order to the knowledge about a phenomenon.
  3. A function is prediction, i.e., to make inferences about how a phenomenon will manifest or occur under certain conditions in the future.

Utility of Theory

UTILITY OF THE THEORY?

A theory is useful because it describes, explains, and predicts the phenomenon, context, event, or fact referred to, in addition to organizing knowledge on the subject and guiding the research.

Evaluating a Theory: Criteria

EVALUATING A THEORY CRITERIA PAA (quantitative)

Power of Description, Explanation, and Prediction

1-Power of description, explanation, and prediction: This relates to how much empirical evidence supports the theory; the better it can describe or explain and predict the phenomena studied.

Logical Consistency

2-Logical consistency: The theory must be logically consistent, without contradictions or inconsistencies.

Perspective

3-Perspective: Refers to the level of generality.

Heuristic Fruitfulness

4-Fruit (heuristic): This is the capacity a theory has to generate new questions and discoveries.

Parsimony

5-Parsimony: It is a simple theory. This is not a requirement, but a desirable quality of a theory.