Theoretical Framework

We explain what a theoretical framework is in research and what its structure is. Also, how to do it and a detailed example.

What is a theoretical framework?

The theoretical framework is section of a monograph or research project which is made up of a set of references, theoretical concepts and background information on which the research is based.

The author or authors of the research write the theoretical framework and in it They must demonstrate which authors and books they base on to choose the investigative path. Furthermore, they use it to explain the theoretical and conceptual support that they consulted for the approach and development of the research. This implies:

• The background. They are the previous research that exists on the topic of study.
• The theory. It is the totality of the consulted works of the great scholars and references of the subject.

A theoretical framework It must be a coherent and orderly presentation of the theory that supports the work. The thoroughness, transparency and clarity of this section will allow the reader to acquire a unified body of criteria to understand and analyze the proposed problem. This way you will be able to appreciate the novel contributions that research will provide you.

Objectives of the theoretical framework

The objectives of every theoretical framework are:

• It brings together theories, concepts and background information that help understand and frame the research.
• It determines the innovative features of the research and its contributions, compared to the existing bibliography and the works that precede it.
• Place the problem that the monograph will address within a framework of conceptual and theoretical references.
• Provides the reader with useful definitions and concepts so that they can delve into the body of the research work.
• Justifies the methodological, conceptual and instrumental choice that was made to carry out the work or study.

Structure of a theoretical framework

Normally, a theoretical framework is made up of two sections that, depending on the case, can be written separately or together. These are:

• Research background. It consists of the search, compilation and analysis (in different sources of information) of previous research that was done on the problem of interest. This allows us to know the current state of the subject and what is known about it. In this section, these data must be commented on and explained, making explicit and concrete references to the existing antecedents, and explaining the differential or contribution that the research on which we worked will make.
• Theoretical concepts. It consists of a terminological and conceptual glossary necessary to understand the development of the research. It will explain which authors and books served to conceptually frame the research and will serve as support for the hypotheses, points of view, procedures or reasoning presented in the work. Citations, references and explanations will be used as necessary in each case.

How to make a theoretical framework?

Broadly speaking, the steps to develop a theoretical framework are:

1. Bibliographic archae. The first step involves doing an extensive literature review. This involves using different databases and search services, especially in university libraries and websites, academic institutions or the specific area of ​​research. It is important at this point to always go to sources that are reliable.
   This instance involves two main steps:

• • Recognize works that address the research problem. This will allow us to know what the authors who investigated the topic did, how and what results they obtained. Important bibliographic data should be noted and how each one is similar and different from our research should be analyzed.
  • Know the theoretical bases that support the research. Once you know which authors your predecessors used in their theoretical frameworks and which authors are essential for what you want to do, you should consult and document them to know the voices of authority in the field of interest.

2. Theoretical research. Once you have the theoretical information that will support the work, you must read and study the information based on certain questions:

• • What key concepts do these theorists elaborate?
  • What categories of your own studies serve ours and why?
  • How do we hope their work influences ours?

3. Drafting. After collecting the information, we proceed to write the theoretical framework. To write this section, it is recommended to first put the information into tables or diagrams, to organize the data and its hierarchy. When writing the document, it is important not to deviate from the focus of the investigated problem, present the information in an orderly and clear manner, and use verified information.
   The theoretical framework is usually divided into two stages:

• • The background. Here the discoveries obtained during the first stage of the survey are detailed and it is determined: what background was important and why, and to what extent our work marks a contribution in that field of study.
  • The theory. Here the theories stated by key authors and that were used for the investigative approach are detailed.

Example of theoretical framework

An example of a theoretical framework could be:

Research work: The positive impact of 21st century Brazilian immigration on the gastronomy of the Montparnasse neighborhood in Paris.

1. In the first step, the problem to be addressed and the novelty of the proposed approach must be explained. For this, an exhaustive investigation must be previously carried out to determine if there is any work by another author that takes an identical or very similar approach. In the event that it does not exist, the research will be original and may expand the field of knowledge, so it can be carried forward. Possibly there are investigations that work on similar problems or with approaches that can serve as background for the investigation and, in that case, reference will be made to them in the theoretical framework.
   Thus, research should be done on works that address the features of Brazilian gastronomy, the features and type of Brazilian immigration in Paris, the characteristics of immigrants, the current state of Parisian gastronomy, among others.
2. Then you can turn to the theoretical concepts that allude to the problem described. There the most relevant theories or concepts will be stated that help raise the hypotheses and serve as a guide for the research.
   From the conceptual information collected it will be possible to define:

• • The methodology to be used in the research.
  • The concepts referring to French and Brazilian gastronomy.
  • The concepts regarding Brazilian immigration.
  • The fundamental features of the Montparnasse neighborhood.
  • The fundamental characteristics of the gastronomy consuming public in Montparnasse.

Once this research has been carried out and these elements have been obtained, with their respective bibliographic citations and mandatory references, you can begin to write the theoretical framework. It is essential to specify and explain the theoretical concepts that will guide the steps to follow in the research and help understand the problem posed.

Continue with: Elements of a monograph

References

• “Function of the theoretical framework” at the Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo.
• “The theoretical framework” in USAL.
• “Review of theoretical approaches (theoretical-conceptual and reference framework)” at the Autonomous University of the State of Mexico.