Problem of Practice Resources, EdD-LOC Program

Theoretical frameworks provide a particular perspective, or lens, through which to examine a topic. There are many different lenses, such as psychological theories, social theories, organizational theories and economic theories, which may be used to define concepts and explain phenomena. Sometimes these frameworks may come from an area outside of your immediate academic discipline. Using a theoretical framework for your dissertation can help you to better analyze past events by providing a particular set of questions to ask, and a particular perspective to use when examining your topic.

Traditionally, doctoral level research must include relevant theoretical framework(s) to frame, or inform, every aspect of the dissertation. Further, dissertations should make an original contribution to the field by adding support for the theory, or, conversely, demonstrating ways in which the theory may not be as explanatory as originally thought.

It can be difficult to find scholarly work that takes a particular theoretical approach because articles, books, and book chapters are typically described according to the topics they tackle rather than the methods they use to tackle them. Further, there is no single database or search technique for locating theoretical information. However, the suggestions below provide techniques for locating possible theoretical frameworks and theorists in the Library databases. In addition to your Library research, you should discuss possible theories your advisor. Also, keep in mind that you will probably find and discard several potential theoretical frameworks before one is finally chosen.

A conceptual framework provides the concept or set of related concepts supporting the basis or foundation of a study. It creates a conceptual model for possible strategies or courses of action identified as important for researching a particular problem or issue. While a conceptual framework is often referred to interchangeably with a theoretical framework, it maintains a distinct purpose. A conceptual framework is used to clarify concepts, organize ideas, and identify relationships with which to frame a study. Concepts are logically developed and organized to support an overall framework and often exhibited graphically within dissertation research. Note that a dissertation may include both a theoretical framework and a conceptual framework.

The suggestions below provide techniques for locating possible conceptual frameworks in the Library databases. Note when examples may use the term "theoretical framework," you may change your search terms to "conceptual framework." In addition to your Library research, you should discuss possible frameworks your advisor to ensure they align with your study. Also, keep in mind that you will probably find and discard several potential conceptual frameworks before one is finally chosen.

You may come across the theoretical framework that makes the most sense naturally as you are reading and seeking out scholarly articles in your area of study. If you don't come across these frameworks naturally, you can search for them intentionally. Frameworks may come from an area outside of your immediate academic discipline. If you limit your search to your specific research topic, you may not find the frameworks. When you're initially identifying frameworks, you will likely need to broaden and look outside of your own topic and/or your own discipline.

If you are not coming across theoretical frameworks that make sense with your research as you review the literature, you can go into Academic Search Complete and find them strategically. In the example below, the broad topic of "curriculum design" was searched as an exact phrase keyword in conjunction with the word theoretical within 5 words of either the word framework or model. Each database has unique rules for how to do proximity searching. The N5 (or within 5 words) is a way to search for one word within proximity of another word. Instead of the proximity search, you can also combine "curriculum design" with theor*. That will give you all variable word endings, i.e. theoretical or theory or theories. You could also try searching "curriculum design" with "theoretical framework." Be sure to keep the quotation marks in place, as that is what tells the database that you want to search those words as an exact phrase. 

You can also search for the broad topic "curriculum design" in the abstract.

Once you find an article, remember to look past the title. Theoretical information may be mentioned in a subheading, or referred to elsewhere in the document. Use the CTRL+F (windows) or CMD+F (mac) search feature in your browser to scan the document for terms such as theory, theorist, theoretical, framework, conceptual, perspective, etc.

Re-mixed and re-used with permission from:

Bezet, Amanda. “LibGuides: Research Process: Researching Theoretical Frameworks.” Accessed May 3, 2024. https://resources.nu.edu/researchprocess/theoreticalframeworks.