What is a Theoretical Framework? How to Write It (with Examples)

Table of Contents

A theoretical framework is a crucial aspect in the research process, akin to a blueprint of a house. Let’s begin with what a theory is. A theory is a systematic explanation of a phenomenon or set of phenomena. It is based on empirical evidence and has been repeatedly tested and confirmed. The integration of various theories continues to enrich current understanding, allowing researchers to explore interdisciplinary connections.

A theoretical framework is the foundation from which all knowledge is constructed for a research study. It serves as the scaffolding for the study rationale, problem statement, and research questions, as well as the base for the literature review and methods. Thus, the purpose of theoretical frameworks is to anchor and guide a research study (see Figure 1), serving not just as the foundation on which the study is built but also as a lens through which the researcher interprets and understands the data.

The importance of theoretical frameworks is that they provide researchers with a structured and comprehensive way to connect theories to real-world research, helping researchers narrow their focus and generate appropriate research questions. The development of theoretical frameworks is important in driving innovation and providing insights across diverse fields of study.

Figure 1: A representative depiction of the purpose of theoretical frameworks in anchoring a study

What is a Theoretical Framework in Research?

While a theory is a set of ideas, concepts, models, principles, or definitions that make sense of a phenomenon by determining relationships among variables, a theoretical framework can be considered the “structure that supports and describes a theory.”

Early scholars sought to organize ideas and categorize information into meaningful “structures,” which appears to have given rise to modern theoretical frameworks, having evolved through rigorous analyses and various discipline-specific developments.

A suitable theoretical framework definition can be the foundation from which assumptions or predictions derived from previous studies about a research problem are investigated, which leads to new knowledge and understanding. A theoretical framework in research consists of concepts, their definitions and reference to relevant literature, and the existing theory used for a particular study.

It is important to know the difference between literature review and theoretical framework. A literature review helps establish what we know (and don’t know), while the theoretical framework provides the structure for understanding and interpreting one’s research. The theoretical framework might be embedded in the literature review section or included as its own chapter or section. Simply put, the theoretical framework often emerges from the literature review, according to the theories best applicable to the specific research questions.

Importance of Theoretical Frameworks in Research

Developing theoretical frameworks is important in research for the following reasons:

A theoretical framework provides the basis for the study hypotheses and choice of research methods, data collection, and data analysis.
A theoretical framework helps you define the chief variables influencing a phenomenon of interest. Developing theoretical frameworks makes you address the questions of why and how. It adds context around the theory/theories.
A theoretical framework helps address gaps in the existing literature.

Thus, in a nutshell, a theoretical framework provides a structure for the complete research process, from start to finish.

What is the Difference Between Conceptual Framework and Theoretical Framework?

You might have come across the terms “theoretical framework” and “conceptual framework” when referring to the overall structure shaping a research project. Let us examine the differences between these two types of frameworks.

Table 1: Theoretical versus conceptual framework

Theoretical framework	Conceptual framework
Developed from existing theory/theories	Researcher-developed structure that connects concepts based on literature and personal approach to answer a research question
Tests or extends existing theory	Creates new understanding of relationships between concepts
More rigid, follows established theoretical principles	More flexible, can be modified as research progresses
Follows a deductive approach (theory → observation)	Follows an inductive approach (observation → pattern → theory)
Broader, applying established theoretical principles	More focused on specific research problem and context
A single theory can serve as a theoretical framework.	A conceptual framework comprises several concepts. In fact, a conceptual framework may even include a theoretical framework.
Example: Using Maslow’s hierarchy of needs to frame a study on employee motivation.	Example: Creating a model showing how social media use, stress, and poor performance in school might influence teenager mental health.

Now that you know the difference between conceptual framework and theoretical framework, let us move on to developing theoretical frameworks and some examples of theoretical frameworks.

How to Write a Theoretical Framework

Here is a step-by-step guide explaining how to write a theoretical framework:

Define your problem statement, research questions, and research objectives.
Identify the main variables under the study.
Explore and review the literature through keywords identified as the main variables.
Note the relevant theories and review them in the light of your study’s objectives and identified variables. Search for alternative theoretical propositions that may challenge the selected ones. Different models and theories can be brought together to develop your own unique framework if it suits your topic.
Ensure that the framework aligns with the study’s objectives, problem statement, research questions, methodology, and data analysis.
Develop testable hypotheses.
Test the theoretical framework to ensure that the framework is valid.

Examples of Theoretical Framework

Consider the following fictional examples of theoretical framework.

Social learning theory framework

Adolescents are increasingly engaging in risky online challenges that can lead to physical harm, privacy violations, and psychological distress, but the mechanisms of peer influence driving this behavior remain poorly understood.

Theoretical framework: Social learning theory (Bandura, 1977)

Adolescents learn behaviors by observing peers’ actions and consequences on social media
Popular or influential peers serve as models for behavior
Social rewards (likes, comments, shares) strengthen likelihood of imitation
Adolescents’ belief in their ability to successfully complete challenges affects participation
Platform design features that amplify certain behaviors (see Figure 2).

Research question: How does peer modeling and reinforcement on social media platforms influence adolescents’ willingness to participate in potentially harmful online challenges?

Research objective: To understand how peer influence affects adolescent risk-taking behaviors in social media environments.

Research design: Mixed-methods design: quantitative survey followed by qualitative focus groups to provide deeper context for survey findings.

Figure 2: Pictorial representation of a theoretical framework example based on Bandura’s social learning theory

Mindsponge theory framework

Global businesses struggle with effectively integrating diverse cultural perspectives to foster innovation, particularly when team members come from cultures with significantly different values and communication styles.

Theoretical framework: Mindsponge theory (Vuong & Napier)

Research question: How does the Mindsponge process facilitate the absorption and utilization of multicultural information to enhance creative problem-solving in cross-cultural business teams?

Research objective: To investigate how multicultural experiences influence innovation capability among international business teams.

Research design: Convergent mixed-methods design with concurrent quantitative and qualitative data collection.

The above two examples of theoretical framework demonstrate how established theories provide a roadmap and structure for investigating specific research problems, guiding variable selection, hypothesis development, and the interpretation of findings.

Benefits and Limitations of a Theoretical Framework

Theoretical frameworks in research have several advantages. However, at the same time, there are some limitations.

Benefits of a Theoretical Framework

Provides clarity and focus, helping you decide what to study and how to interpret your findings
Ensures that the research is rooted in existing knowledge, making your research more credible
Guides the selection of methods and tools for data collection, which can make the research process more organized.

Limitations of a Theoretical Framework

May restrict your view as a researcher by focusing too much on certain aspects of a phenomenon while overlooking others
Relying heavily on existing theories could lead to bias in interpreting your findings. You may try to fit your findings in the framework rather than think of alternative explanations.

To wrap up, developing the right framework in the early stages of your study is important to guide your thinking and visualize linkages between various concepts and theories. By providing a solid foundation for your study, theoretical frameworks in research can make study findings more meaningful.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between literature review and theoretical framework?

A literature review and a theoretical framework are related but serve different purposes in academic research. Literature review:

Summarizes existing research and knowledge on your topic
Identifies gaps, trends, and controversies in current scholarship
Shows how your research fits into the broader academic conversation
Typically organized thematically or chronologically

Theoretical framework:

Provides the conceptual foundation that guides your research
Identifies specific theories that inform your study’s approach
Explains key concepts and their relationships
Creates a lens through which you will analyze your findings.

How do I develop a theoretical framework?

Developing a robust theoretical framework begins by clearly defining your problem statement, research questions, objectives, and main variables. Next, explore and review the literature thoroughly. Then, you may arrive at propositions that describe the relationships between the concepts. Formulate testable hypotheses derived from your framework, and finally, validate the theoretical framework to confirm its soundness before proceeding with your research.

Can I use multiple theoretical frameworks in a single study?

Yes, multiple theoretical frameworks may be used if they complement each other and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the research problem.

Is it necessary to include a theoretical framework in every research study?

No. In some types of qualitative research, there may be no need for a prior theoretical framework.

Can a theoretical framework be developed for qualitative research?

Yes. Theoretical frameworks may be applied to guide qualitative analyses by suggesting concepts and relationships to explore. When used with rigorous data analyses and careful interpretation, theoretical frameworks may be valuable in qualitative research.

How to define theoretical frameworks?

A quick theoretical framework definition can be the structure that supports and describes existing theories that helps guide a researcher shape a study, from objectives to methods to interpretation of the study findings.

Paperpal is a comprehensive AI writing toolkit that helps students and researchers achieve 2x the writing in half the time. It leverages 22+ years of STM experience and insights from millions of research articles to provide in-depth academic writing, language editing, and submission readiness support to help you write better, faster.

Get accurate academic translations, rewriting support, grammar checks, vocabulary suggestions, and generative AI assistance that delivers human precision at machine speed. Try for free or upgrade to Paperpal Prime starting at US$25 a month to access premium features, including consistency, plagiarism, and 30+ submission readiness checks to help you succeed.

Experience the future of academic writing – Sign up to Paperpal and start writing for free!