Developing Conceptual

and Theoretical
Framework
M.Sudha
College of Nursing,SRIPMS.
 Testing and Developing theories
• Theory testing is done through deductive
reasoning
Researcher proceeds from general(theory) to
specific (empirical finding)
• Theory development is done through
inductive reasoning
Researcher proceeds from specific (empirical
finding) to general (theory).
 Evaluation of Theory Testing Research
Specific criteria's useful to evaluate theory testing
research studies
• The statement
• Underlying theory
• Defining the concept or construct
• Literature review
• Research questions
• Hypothesis
• Operational definition
 CONT…….
• Research design
• Instruments
• Samples
• Statistics
• Analysis
• Research report
• Suggestions
Evaluation of Theory Development Research

Criteria for theory development research

• Purpose of study
• Research question
• primary data sources
• Ethical integrity
• Analysis of data
• Formative hypothesis/theories
• Validation of hypothesis
• Analysis
• Findings
 Both the developing new
theories and existing theories
must be internally consistent
and congruent with one
another.
 Theoretical Framework
• The theoretical framework of the study is a
structure that can hold or support a theory of
a research work. It presents the theory which
explains why the problem under study exists.

• Thus, the theoretical framework is a theory

that serves as a basis for conducting research.
• A theoretical framework is analogous to the
frame of the house.

• Just as the foundation supports a house, a

theoretical framework provides a rationale for
predictions about the relationships among
variables of a research study
 Formulating theoretical framework

Purpose:
• It helps the researcher see clearly the variables
of the study
• It can provide him with a general framework for
data analysis
• It is essential in preparing a research proposal
using descriptive and experimental methods
 Conceptual Framework
• A conceptual framework is used in research
to outline possible courses of action or to
present a preferred approach to an idea or
thought.

• Conceptual framework represent ways of

thinking about a problem.
• It deals with abstractions (concepts) that are
assembled by virtue of relevance to a
common theme.
• CF is an explanation of how a researcher sees
the different concepts and outcomes of study
and its relations with each other.
• It can be developed from the researcher's
personal experience, previous studies, or from
more than one theory or models.
 Definition

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)
• A Conceptual Framework provides a coherent,
unified and orderly way of seeing related
events or processes relevant to a study
/research and less formal than theories.
• It can be:
Rudimentary or elaborate,
Theory driven or commonsensical,
Descriptive or casual
 What a conceptual framework does

• Conceptual frameworks serve as the

springboard for theory development.
• Conceptual Framework shows the relationship
of the stated hypotheses with central factors
or key concepts.
• Part of Conceptual Framework offers a
synopsis of the study's main points.
 PURPOSES
Conceptual Framework
• Keeps research on track
• Provides clear links from the literature to the
research goals and questions
• Helps the researcher to see clearly the
variables of the study
• Clarifies concepts and propose relationships
among concepts
• Provides an organized structure for the
research design and methods.
• Useful to prepare research proposal using
experimental or descriptive methods
• Guides the development and testing of
interventions and hypotheses
• Provides general framework for data analysis
• The interpretation of findings flows from the
conceptualization represented by the
framework
• Makes research findings meaningful and
generalizable.
• Provides reference points for discussion of
the methodology and analysis of the data.
• Explains observations
• Contributes to the trustworthiness of the
study.
• Encourages theory development that is useful
to practice
• A theoretical framework is developed on the
basis of theoretical concepts related to
particular research study variables.
• Conceptual frameworks are constructed on
the basis of the researchers own experience in
the respective field and findings of the
previous study or the concepts of the several
existing theories.
 Though the terms might have been used
interchangeably, in fact, they refer to different
things.
 Theoretical framework in a study is based on
an existing theory or theories (e.g., a theory of
motivation).
The conceptual framework, on the other
hand, is something you can develop yourself
based on this theory
 Theoretical framework Conceptual framework
• Broader scope. • Narrower scope.
• General, less structured, • Very specific, definite structure,
loosely defined. no ambiguity .
• Derived from theories that • Derived from concepts &
already exists. variables that may be identified
in the study itself.
• Provide a basic foundation • Provide the structure, paradigm
for a research study for a research analysis.
• It is a starting point of a • It lies in the entire
discussion ,makes readers commencement of the study.
aware of what follows.
 Developing conceptual or theoretical
models
Prerequisites to develop the conceptual
framework
• Knowledge of theories
• Findings of the previous similar research studies
• Related field experiences
• Skills of creativity in identifying and establishing
the relationship among two or more study
concept.
 Cont……
Development of a framework depends on
• Power of observation
• Understanding of a problem
• Imagination and conceptualization about
abstract ideas
• Ability of linking the abstract ideas with logical
scheme to generalize the facts.
 Sources of concepts to develop conceptual
framework
Concepts can be barrowed from
• Personal real life experiences
• Finding of the previous research
• Concepts of existing theories or theoretical
models.
Steps in developing conceptual framework

• Identification of the general concepts

• Gathering the relevant information
• Formulation of general scheme of relevant
concepts
• Development of a logical construct
• Evaluation and revision
• Establishment of the congruity
 Identification of the general concepts
• First the researcher should identify the
general concepts of the study
• Concepts may be based on….study
variables/previous research findings/existing
theories and models.
• Concepts can also be identified from real life
observation or experience
 Cont……
• Example : A correlational study on the effect of
institutional and home environment in overall
development of the students studying in
selected schools of Coimbatore.
• Here the general concepts of the study is based
on the study variable
home environment, institutes
environment and student development.
 Gathering the relevant information

• Gathering the relevant information helps the

researcher to understand the concepts more
empirically for establishing a relationship
between the concepts for the development of
framework.
• A framework is based on a specific theory or
theoretical model…..researcher must read
about them from primary resources
 Cont…..
• Gathering information helps researcher to
judge the amount of empirical support the
theory has received.
• Once the theory is identified ….read the
theory in detail and understand each concept.
 Formulation of general scheme of relevant
concepts
• After in depth learning about concepts the
researcher should establish a general
relationship between the different related and
relevant concepts
• Schematic relationship is established through
brain storming and logical reasoning.
 Development of logical construct
• After establishing the relationship between
two or more variables ,the researcher
develops a final construct.
• Construct is a highly abstract, complex
description of a phenomenon.
• Example :wellness, mental health, self esteem
 Evaluation and revision

• Concepts and constructs are evaluated for

their relevance….
Evaluating a conceptual framework
• Is the conceptual framework consistent with
the research question, design, variables etc…?
• Are the major concepts identified and
defined?
 Cont….
• Are the relationship between the concepts
described?
• Is the conceptual framework based on nursing
theory?
• Are all the concepts in conceptual framework
clearly, adequately and logically defined.
 Establishment of congruity

• It is important to establish congruity between

conceptual model and its components, the
research problem, hypothesis, concepts and
selection of research design
• Congruity of framework may only be
established if most of the research decisions
and interpretations of the study findings are
based on the framework.
Theories and conceptual framework
Components of a Nursing theory
Health Belief Model
Health Belief Model
Weidenbach’s helping art theory
Input throughput and output model
Nightingale’s environment theory
Roy’s Adaptation Model
The Newman system model
Hall’s care, core and cure model
Johnson’s behavioral system model
Framework based on Johnson’s theory
Jean watson’s caring theory
Leninger’s Transcultural theory
Pender’s health promotion model
Conceptual framework based on Pender’s
health promotion model