The Role of Theory in Research

THE ROLE OF THEORY IN RESEARCH

A. Definition of Theory
➢ A theory is a body of statements that synthesize knowledge of and explain phenomena. It
leads to specific and testable predictions about empirical reality—the more observations
support these predictions, the more the theory is confirmed.
➢ Theories are sometimes described by their explanatory range, or the breadth of the
phenomena they purport to explain. Narrow theories only apply to limited events or behaviors,
while broad theories apply to an entire body of human behavior. The broader the range of the
things to be explained, the more valuable the theory.
➢ A theory is defined as an integrated set of defined concepts and statements that present a
view of phenomenon and can be used to describe, explain, predict, and control total
phenomenon
➢ A theory is a set of interrelated constructs (concepts), definitions, and propositions that
present a systematic view of phenomena by specifying relations among variables, with the
purpose of explaining and predicting the phenomena.
➢ This definition says three things:
(1) A theory is a set of propositions consisting of defined and interrelated constructs
(2) A theory sets out the interrelations among a set of variables (constructs)
(3) A theory explains phenomena; it does so by specifying which variables are related to
which variables and how they are related, thus enabling the researcher to predict from certain
variables to certain other variables.
➢ There are four levels of theory development
➢ 1) factor isolating (describe phenomena)
➢ 2) Factor relating (explain phenomena)
➢ 3) Situation relating (predict the relationships between/among phenomena)
➢ 4) Situation producing (control phenomena and relationships)

B. Types of Theories
1. Descriptive Theory
Summarizes the commonalities found in discrete observations describes or classifies specific
dimensions or characteristics of groups, situations, or events
➢ Descriptive Theories – also known as “Factor isolating theories”
➢ The primary level of theory development.
➢ They identify and describe major concepts of phenomena.
➢ They do not explain relationship of the concepts.
➢ Main purpose: to present a phenomenon based on the five senses together with their
corresponding meaning.
EXAMPLE: A descriptive research about the indigenous practices like conflict resolution
2. Explanatory Theory
Relation among dimensions/ tested by using correlational research
➢ Explanatory Theories – also known as “Factor relating theories”
➢ Theory that present relationship among concepts and propositions.
➢ They aim to provide information on how or why concepts are related.
➢ Cause and effect relationship are well explained in this type of theory.
EXAMPLE: A research study about the factors affecting voting behaviors of certain group of people.
3. Predictive Theory
Predict precise relationships/difference between groups/tested through experimental and quasi
experimental designs
➢ Predictive Theories – also known as “Situation relating theories”
➢ They are achieved when the relationships of concepts under a certain condition can describe
future outcomes consistently.
➢ This theory is generated and tested using experimental research.
EXAMPLE: A Theoretical model based on the observation of the effects of exposure to socio-political and
economic through the media on the political attitudes of people.
Prescriptive Theory
➢ Prescriptive theories – also known as “Situation producing theories”
➢ Deal with political actions and test the validity and certainty of a specific political intervention.
Examples of some Political Theories
Marxist theory
Public Choice Theory
Elite theory
Libertarian Theory
Institutional Theory
Communitarianism
Pluralism
Revolving Door
Mediatization
State Centered theory
World Polity Theory
World-Systems Theory

C. Role of Theory in Research
➢ Theories allow research to knit together observation and facts into an orderly scheme or system
➢ Theories provide a basis for predicting the occurrence of phenomena
➢ Theories provides a mechanism for logically arriving at new statements from the original
preposition.
➢ Theories can guide researcher and generate idea for research
➢ Theories can guide researchers understanding of not only the natural phenomena, but also why
they occur
D. Theoretical and Conceptual framework in Research

1. Purpose of Theoretical and Conceptual Framework
➢ In general, both ‘conceptual’ and ‘theoretical’ frameworks refer to the epistemological paradigm a
researcher adopts in looking at a given research problem – as Liehr and Smith (1999: 12) point
out, “each of these terms refers to a structure” which guides the researcher.
➢ In the same regard, Evans (2007: 8) opines that both “theoretical and conceptual frames” help the
reader understand the reasons why a given researcher decides to study a particular topic, the
assumptions s/he makes, how s/he conceptually grounds his/her approach, the scholars s/he is in
dialogue with, who s/he agrees and disagrees with.
2. Research Framework
➢ First, it is important to understand what a ‘framework’ is, within the context of research. Liehr and
Smith (1999: 13) see a framework for research as a structure that provides “guidance for the
researcher as study questions are fine-tuned, methods for measuring variables are selected and
analyses are planned”. Once data are collected and analyzed, the framework is used as a mirror
to check whether the findings agree with the framework or whether there are some discrepancies;
where discrepancies exist, a question is asked as to whether or not the framework can be used to
explain them.
3. Theoretical Framework
A theoretical framework is the analogue to the frame of house
Just like foundation theoretical framework provides rationale for predictions about relationship of variables
➢ A theoretical framework refers to the theory that a researcher chooses to guide him/her in his/her
research. Thus, a theoretical framework is the application of a theory, or a set of concepts drawn
from one and the same theory, to explain an event, or shed some light on a phenomenon or
research problem.
4. Developing a Theoretical Framework
➢ Here are some strategies to develop of an effective theoretical framework:
• Examine your thesis title and research problem. The research problem anchors your entire study and
forms the basis from which you construct your theoretical framework.
• Brainstorm on what you consider to be the key variables in your research.
• Review related literature to find answers to your research question.
• List the constructs and variables that might be relevant to your study. You may group these variables
into categories.
• Review the key social science theories that are introduced to you in your course readings and choose
the theory or theories that can best explain the relationships between the key variables in your study.
• Discuss the assumptions or propositions of this theory and point out their relevance to your research.
5. Benefits of Theoretical Framework to a Research Work.

➢ It provides the structure in showing how a researcher defines his/her study philosophically,
epistemologically, methodology and analytically.
➢ The theoretical framework guides and should resonate with every aspect of the research process
from the definition of the problem, literature survey, methodology, presentation, and discussion of
the findings as well as the conclusions that are drawn.
➢ It guides a researcher’s choice of research design and data analysis plan.
➢ The theoretical framework also guides the kind of data to be accrued for a study (Lester, 2005).
The theoretical framework, thus, aids the researcher in finding an appropriate research approach,
analytical tools, and procedures for his/her research inquiry. It makes research findings more
meaningful and generalizable. The importance of Theoretical Framework
6. Selecting a Suitable Theoretical Framework
➢ There is no one perfect or right theory for a study, though certain theories are popular (Grant &
Osanloo, 2014).
➢ The selection of a theoretical framework requires a thorough understanding of the problem,
purpose, significance and research questions of a study.
➢ This is important because when the selection is poorly done, it would be as if the researcher is
using a wrong bolt to forcibly fix a wrong nut.
➢ The chosen theoretical framework must accentuate the purpose and importance of the study
dissertation (Grant & Osanloo, 2014).
➢ To make an appropriate selection of a theoretical context, the researcher must consider the
guiding principles of the study and situate the problem in relation to it.
➢ The research questions of the study and the purpose of the study must entail noticeable aspects
of the theoretical framework and must agree with the assertions promulgated by the theorists of
the selected theory (Maxwell, 2004; LoBiondo-Wood, 2010).
E. CONCEPTS
➢ A concept is a term that abstractly describes and names an object or phenomenon, thus
providing it with separate identity or meaning.
➢ Two terms closely related to concept are construct and variable
➢ a. Construct very general meaning image or idea specifically invented for a research associated
with anxiety emotional responses might be the construct
➢ b. Variable it is a measurable and suggests that numerical values of the term can vary from one
instance to another a variable related to anxiety might be palmar sweating
➢ A concept is a generalized idea about a class of objects, attributes, occurrences, or processes
that has been given a name. In other words, a concept is an idea expressed as a symbol or in
words. Natural science concepts are often expressed in symbolic forms. Most social science
concepts are expressed as words. Words, after all, are symbols too; they are symbols we learn
with language. Height is a concept with which all of you are familiar. In a sense, a language is
merely an agreement to represent ideas by sound or written characters that people learned at
some point in their lives. Learning concepts and theory is like learning language.
F. Conceptual Framework
➢ A conceptual framework is a structure which the researcher believes can best explain the natural
progression of the phenomenon to be studied. It is the researcher’s explanation of how the
research problem would be explored. Theoretical framework refers to previous theories,
frameworks, models that you were reviewing during literature review. Normally, a researcher will
develop his or her conceptual framework underpinned on some theoretical frameworks that s/he
has reviewed. Usually, without theoretical frameworks to support your conceptual framework, you
might expose to questioning during article review / thesis viva examination. Conceptual
framework is the one to be developed by the new researcher and theoretical framework is
something which already been developed by other researchers
G. The Importance of Conceptual Framework
➢ The conceptual framework offers many benefits to a research-
➢ It assists the researcher in identifying and constructing his/her worldview on the phenomenon to
be investigated.
➢ It is the simplest way through which a researcher presents his/her asserted remedies to the
problem s/he has defined.
➢ It accentuates the reasons why a research topic is worth studying, the assumptions of a
researcher, the scholars s/he agrees with and disagrees with and how s/he conceptually grounds
his/her approach.
➢ The conceptual framework is mostly used by researchers when existing theories are not
applicable or sufficient in creating a firm structure for the study.

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THE ROLE OF THEORY IN RESEARCH

C. Role of Theory in Research

D. Theoretical and Conceptual framework in Research

5. Beneﬁts of Theoretical Framework to a Research Work.

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