conceptual framework in research.

1. THEORETICAL/ CONCEPTUAL
FRAMEWORK
BY;
Prof. Mahendra Lamba
Sandra Shroff ROFEL College of Nursing, Vapi

2. MEANING OF THEORY
• “A theory is a set of interrelated construct
(concepts), definitions and propositions (a
statement that expresses a opinion) that present
a systemic view of phenomenon by specifying
relations among variables with the purpose of
explaining and predicting the phenomenon.”
-Kelinger 1973

3. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
The theoretical framework is a collection of
interrelated concepts that represent a piece of
theory to be examined as the basis from research
studies. It presents a broad, general explanation
of the relationship between the concepts of the
research study based on an existing study.

4. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
• Conceptual framework represent ways of
thinking about a problem.
• It deals with abstractions ( concepts) that
are assembled from a common theme.

5. DEFINATION
• A written or visual presentation that “explains
either graphically or by narration, the main
things to be studied – the key factors,
concepts or variables - and the presumed
relationship among them”. (Miles and
Huberman, 1994)

6. • A Conceptual framework provides a logical,
unified and orderly way of seeing related
events or processes that relevant to a study/
research and less formal than theories.
• It can be :
• Basic or elaborative,
• Theory driven or commonsensical ,
• Descriptive or casual (Miles, and
Huberman )

7. • It broadly presents understanding of the
phenomenon of interest and reflects the
assumptions (accepted as true without
proof) andphilosophic view of the designer.
• It is researcher’s own position on the problem
theway theresearchershapesit together.

8. What it does?
• Conceptual frameworks serve like a flexible
springboardfortheorydevelopment.
• CFshowstherelationshipof thestated hypotheseswith
central factorsorkey concepts.
• PartofCFoffersasynopsisof thestudy's mainpoints.

9. • Each framework highlights or emphasizes different
aspectsof aproblemorresearch question.
• Any one conceptual framework presents only a partial
view ofreality.
• Focuses attention on and amplify certain elements of a
problemlikeusingamagnifying glass

10. Purposes
• Provides an organizing structure for the
researchdesign and methods.
• Useful to prepare research proposal using
experimentalor descriptivemethods.
• Guides the development and testing of
interventions andhypotheses.

11. Ingredients
• A conceptual framework is composed of concepts and
the relational linkages between them ( called
propositionalstatements)
• Concepts abstractly describes and names an object or
phenomenon, thus providing it with separate identity or
meaning.
• It is actually the intellectual representation of some aspect of
reality,derived fromobservationsmadefrom phenomenon.

12. Concepts
Basicelements
Relationalstatement as
propositions (a statement
that expresses a opinion)

13. Concept synthesis
Conceptual definition Concept derivation
Concept analysis

14. Conceptsynthesis
Process of describing and naming a previously
unrecognizedconcept
Eg. Synthesis to identifyanddefinetheconceptstress.
Concept derivation
Meanings are derived from other disciplines may be
modified and carefully evaluated to fit in the nursing
knowledge

15. Conceptualanalysis
• A strategy through a set of characteristics essential
to the suggestive meaning of a concept is
identified.
• A strategy that involves examining the attributes
characteristicsofaconcept.
-Walker&Avant1983

16. Its a philosophical inquiry; Researcher
explores various ways the termis used and try
to identify set of characteristics that can be
used to describe the concept.
How?
By × search of literature
× personal experience and thought
× Reasoning
- Walker & Avant 1985

17. Types of concepts
Accordingto Level of abstraction:
1. Abstract concepts or theoretical concepts
2. Empirical or descriptive concepts

18. According to level of categorization:
1. Global ordomain concepts
2. Middle rangeconcepts
3. Empiricalconcepts

19. • Concepts are important because they
provide a road map
• Give the big picture ideas (the concepts)
up front, and then fit in the smaller facts
and details
• Provide the context for the researcher

20. • Next steps isto state Relations
with concepts.
• ?Relationalstatement-declaresthata relationship
of some kind exists between two or more
concepts.(Walker&Avant 1980)

21. Importance of relational statements
• Coreof framework
• Relationalstatementaretestedthrough
research.
• Relational statementsdeterminesthe
- Objectives
- Research questions and hypothesis
- Research design
- Statistical analysis
- Type of findings expected

22. Special features
It describes
* Direction
* Shape
* Strength
* Symmetry
* Sequencing
* Probabilityofoccurrence
* Necessity
* Sufficiency

23. What inputs go into developing a
conceptual framework?
Experientialknowledge of researcherandsupervisor
– Literaturereview
– Technical knowledge.
– Researchbackground.
– Personalexperience.
– Data