WHAT IS A THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK OF AN INVESTIGATION? - SCIENCE - 2024

The theoretical framework of an investigation is the part of the investigation in which the theoretical support is exposed. It is a set of ideas that mark the course of the work that is carried out and put it in relation to other investigations already carried out.

The theoretical framework is of great importance, since the theories, concepts and ideas that support and support the study that is being executed are shown here.

A good theoretical framework shows that the importance of the problem has been understood and allows others (besides the researcher) to be able to understand it as well.

Other benefits of the theoretical framework are that they provide tools for the critical analysis of sources, allowing the researcher to distinguish what is relevant and what is not.

In the research works, the theoretical framework is divided into four essential sections: the antecedents, the theoretical bases, the legal bases and the glossary of terms.

Purpose of the theoretical framework

The theoretical framework provides the conceptual basis for the compression and analysis of the data presented in an investigation. This is the basic purpose of the theoretical framework. Other of its functions are:

1- Offer means for future researchers to be able to interpret the data.

2- Respond to new problems that had not been previously studied.

3- Provide means to identify the research problem, since understanding comes from knowledge.

4- Allow to give new interpretations to old data.

Importance

The theoretical framework is composed of a set of definitions, concepts and ideas that refer to existing texts.

This set supports the research that is being carried out. So a good theoretical framework shows advanced understanding of theories that relate to the work being performed.

Likewise, the theoretical framework establishes a relationship between our work and other works in the same area.

By doing this, our research will be framed in context, which will facilitate our study and that of future people who wish to follow the same line of thought.

To make a theoretical framework, the researcher must carry out a process of consultation, analysis and selection of various sources. This helps those who investigate in different aspects:

1- It allows to develop critical thinking.

2- Provides the basis for the development of relevant hypotheses.

3- It favors the expansion or delimitation of the research problem.

4- It shows which lines of research are of importance for our study.

5- It allows to determine the variables that affect the research problem.

6- It provides tools so that you can discern what is relevant and what is not.

How to make a theoretical framework?

To make a theoretical framework, it is necessary that the research problem has already been delimited and that a title is available (because the title contains the most relevant data of the problem).

The research problem represents the base from which all the work will be structured, including the theoretical framework.

The next step is to brainstorm the concepts that relate to the problem. It is good to keep a certain question in mind, for example: what are the factors that modify my problem? What are the causes and effects of it? who is affected?

Once the brainstorming has been completed, the concepts obtained are classified into categories. Those that are directly related to the investigation will be kept. The rest will be relegated to the background.

Subsequently, texts related to the relevant concepts should be consulted. It is recommended that the research focus on authority figures for the area, since these will give truth to our study.

If there are theories that support our study, these must be taken into account for the theoretical framework. Similarly, studies prior to ours, which are directly related to our research, should be considered.

Organization of concepts

Traditionally, the theoretical framework is organized into the following parts:

1- Background of the investigation.

2- Theoretical bases.

3- Legal bases.

4- Glossary of terms.

Research background

The antecedents are the previous investigations that are similar to the one that is being carried out. According to some schools, the minimum background to present is three.

These investigations are required to be from the last five years, to ensure that the data presented in them is still current.

When presenting the background of the investigation, the following aspects should be included:

1- Title, problem and objectives of the investigation.

2- Methodology used.

3- Conclusions.

4- Relationship between this investigation and the one that is being carried out.

Theoretical bases

The theoretical bases are the organization of the theories and the most relevant ideas that revolve around our research.

The mode of presentation of the theoretical bases is by sections, from the most general to the most specific. The layout of this article is a basic example of how the theoretical bases of an investigation should be organized.

One aspect that must be taken into account when presenting the theoretical bases is authorship. This means that credit must be given to the people who have written the texts on which we are relying. Otherwise, you would be committing plagiarism, which is theft of intellectual property.

Legal bases

The legal bases are the set of laws and regulations that are directly related to our study.

In this section, articles of the Magna Carta and other duly identified minor laws are included.

Glossary of terms

The glossary of terms includes the essential words for understanding the research being carried out.

The glossary of terms is responsible for creating a common language between the researcher and the readers.

The term is presented followed by its concept and they are arranged alphabetically. The concepts must be basic, since what you want is that the recipient is able to understand it.

References

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