Theoretical framework

Ana Zita
Doctor of Biochemistry

The theoretical framework, also known as the foundation or referential framework, is the
part that supports and bases the research work.

In any research project or thesis, it is important to look in libraries or on the Internet for
information that will help us solve the problem. From this moment we are building the
foundations of our research, which will be presented to the reader as a theoretical
framework.

It must be written from the beginning of the project, in this way it begins to build what will
be the basis of the research.

Content of the theoretical framework

Key concepts
Every theoretical framework must define those important concepts that are part of the
work. For example, if the problem being investigated is how to increase the efficiency of
the energy production of a passive solar heater, we must start by clarifying the concepts of
efficiency, energy and passive solar heating.

Context
Establish the context of the study or research in time, place and culture. This means
defining or framing all the information you collected in a specific space. For example, in an
investigation on the damages produced by the cigarette habit, the most relevant thing
would be to highlight the statistics of, for example, Mexico in the last decade.

Relevant theories, works and models

When posing the problem, it was surely necessary to make a bibliographic review in which
we found models or works related to our research.

Following the example of the solar heater, it will then be important to present which models
of solar heating have been made previously and what has been the operating mechanism
used in them. It will also be necessary to explain the theories outlined above regarding
passive solar heating.

News or historical aspects

Depending on the field or discipline in which the research takes place, it may be
convenient to present a historical review or a review of the new developments. This will
help the jury or reader to be in the context of the work.

Characteristics of the theoretical framework

Structure
The theoretical framework must follow a logical structure. A chapter can be made for each
aspect to be treated, with titles or subtitles. The convenient thing will always be that they
carry a coherent sequence. This would be an example of a messy structure in a work on
alternative feeding with worms:
Methods of study of worms.
Food recipes using worms.
Types of worms.
Alternative food and key concepts.
Cultures that feed on worms.

A more logical way to present this theoretical framework would be:

Alternative food and key concepts.

Cultures that feed on worms.
Methods of study of worms.
Types of worms.
Food recipes using worms.

Length
The length of a theoretical framework will depend on many factors. As a general rule, it
must be extensive enough to present the essential, that is, all the necessary or
fundamental information to understand the subject and address the research work.

How to make a good theoretical framework?

Write as if we were explaining the subject to ourselves before knowing everything we
learned during the research project.
Write defensively, that is, be attentive to any concept that may be confusing to explain it
better, so that there are no doubts.
Show the review performed on the methods and techniques that can be used to solve the
problem.
Include only material that is relevant to the effects of the thesis. For example, in a thesis of
milk pH, it is not necessary to write about the atomic structure of hydrogen.
Facilitate reading fluency by avoiding long lists or extensive information tables. This
information can be perfectly placed in the appendices section.
Assume that the jury or thesis evaluator does not know in depth the subject of the
research work. The person who did all the research work and the search for information is
the one who best dominates the subject.

What should not be in a theoretical framework

That material or information that in the end was not necessary for the realization of the
project.
Ideas or personal contributions: these should be reserved for the discussion stage or
conclusions.
Hints of how the investigation will be done.

Examples of theoretical framework

To the question "How much DNA deoxyribonucleic acid is in the laboratory rat organs", the
theoretical framework will answer by formulating the following topics or chapters:

Key concepts: definition of DNA deoxyribonucleic acid, structure, characteristics, location

and function.
History of DNA: chronological exposition of discoveries related to DNA.
Methods to obtain the DNA: a series of techniques to obtain the DNA of the cells and
organs, the comparison between the techniques, the ways of measuring the DNA, and,
finally, what would be the technique to be used in the experimental work.
Preliminary research: thesis or work done previously and the results obtained.

Based on the question "How does cell phone use affect the school performance of young
people between 12 and 15 years?", The theoretical framework will be put together as
follows:

Key concepts: school performance, parameters for measuring school performance, stages
of human development, telecommunications.
Cell phone: evolution and operation.
School performance before the arrival of the cell phone.
Methods of measuring school performance at different stages of development.
Preliminary investigations of cell phone use in school.

Importance of the theoretical framework

The theoretical framework is the understanding guide that will lead the reader of our thesis
or research work to know everything that is needed to address our work.

In addition, a good theoretical framework provides a secure knowledge base that will help
to face the questions of research work. It also shows that the work did not come out of
"nothing" and that it has a scientific foundation.

In fact, it is from the search for a research problem and ways to solve it as we are
beginning the construction of the theoretical framework.

https://www.todamateria.com/marco-teorico/
Definition: Theoretical Framework

The "theoretical framework" (or conceptual): It is one of the most important phases of a
research work, is to develop the theory that will support the project based on the approach
to the problem that has been made. There are numerous possibilities to develop it, which
depends on the creativity of the researcher. Once the subject under study has been
selected and the questions that guide the research have been formulated, the next step is
to review the literature on the subject. This consists of looking for the documentary
sources that allow to detect, extract and gather the information of interest to build the
theoretical framework pertinent to the research problem posed.

Importance of the theoretical framework:

It provides the conceptual framework necessary to delimit the problem, formulate

definitions, substantiate the hypotheses or statements that will later have to be verified,
and interpret the study results.

What is the theoretical framework for:

The main utility of the theoretical framework is to avoid plagiarisms and repetitions of
generally expensive research. Plagiarism and postgraduate thesis work are rare, but when
the synods ignore the theoretical framework some plagiarist could succeed at least in the
short term.

Functions of the theoretical framework:

The theory plays the fundamental role of participating in the production of new knowledge.
The theory allows to guide both the research and the epistemological approach that is
sustained as the formulation of questions, and points out the significant facts that must be
investigated.
The theory is fundamental because it provides a frame of reference to interpret the results
of the investigation, because without theory it is impossible to develop an investigation.
The theory allows the researcher to be guided to maintain his focus, that is, to be perfectly
focused on his problem and to prevent the deviation from the original approach.
The theory makes it easier to establish statements that will subsequently be submitted to
the reality check in the field work, a process that helps in the inspiration of new lines and
areas of research.

Other functions of the theoretical framework:

It helps prevent mistakes they have made in other studies.

They guide how the study will be carried out.
Guide the researcher to focus on the problem.
Document the need to conduct the study.
Establish or not the hypothesis where they will be tested in reality.
New areas of research.
It provides a frame of reference to interpret the study results.
Structuring or construction of the "theoretical framework":

The construction of the theoretical framework refers to the analysis of theories, research
and background in general that are considered valid for the proper framing and foundation
of the research work.

In the construction of the "theoretical framework" a writing must be prepared that has
internal, sequential and logical coherence, using citations from the theories paragraphs, or
previous works that serve the purpose of supporting research work, which defines which it
is the concepts that will be used, the variables and the empirical references, the research
approach, which results have been obtained in other similar investigations, so that
whoever reads the conceptual framework can enter the research problem and understand
it without difficulty .

It is the most critical point in the construction of the research project, since here is the
scientific basis of the research study, and when the project will be evaluated by other
researchers, if the theoretical framework is not sufficiently robust, it is likely to be rejected .

A good "theoretical framework" is not one that contains many pages, but one that deals in
depth with only the aspects related to the problem, and logically and coherently links the
existing knowledge, concepts, variables and propositions that will be dealt with in the
investigation.

Constructing the "theoretical framework" does not only mean gathering information, but
also linking and interrelating it coherently in a writing, so that it serves as a foundation, as
a basis, that supports the research work to be carried out and that allows it to be
developed with authority.

The frame of references can be composed of the following frames:

Background frame.
Conceptual framework.
Theoretical framework.
Demographic framework
Geographical framework
Legal framework.
Historical framework.

Background framework: it is the summary of the results that were found by other
researchers on topics similar to the general topic or to the specific topic raised, that is, the
research already carried out regarding relationships of the independent and dependent
variables of the study.

You can comment, in this context, the institutional or political reasons that led to the
realization of the project and make the pertinent comment on whether the topic was taken
from any recommendation of an investigation already carried out or to be carried out, or if
it is replicated of one already carried out.

Conceptual framework: It is the conceptual elaboration of the problem. It contains the

definitions of the variables contemplated in the problem and in the research objectives,
and of the key terms that will be used more frequently. Such definitions are made by the
researcher according to his criteria, to the definitions proposed by other researchers and,
in such case, to the theory on which the research is based.

Theoretical framework: It must be developed when identifying one or more theories that
can give theoretical basis to the solution of the research problem. The theoretical
framework will be a detailed description of each of the essential elements of the theory, so
that the formulation of the problem and its solution are a logical deduction of it. This
framework can also be constituted by a specific theory created by the researcher.

Regularly, the theoretical framework is confused with the reference framework. It is

important to identify that the theoretical framework is included in the referential. Many
times the theoretical framework is used as the general framework of all the frameworks,
which results in a disorderly handling of all the bibliographic information obtained.

Demographic framework: it contains the relevant demographic characteristics on the

population to be studied, including sex, age, origin, etc. This framework is basic in the
case of a study with sampling.

Geographic framework: in some cases it is important to demarcate the geographical

area where the study will be carried out, either by specifying the geographic coordinates or
using maps and sketches.

https://www.marcoteorico.com/curso/50/definicion-de-marco-teorico
BIBLIOGRAFÍA
[1] Zapata, O. A. (2005). Herramientas para elaborar tesis e investigaciones socioeducativas.
México, D.F.: Editorial Pax México.
[2] Bisquerra, R. (2009). Metodología de la investigación educativa. Madrid, España: Editorial
La Muralla, S.A.
[3] Gómez, M. (2006). Introducción a la metodología de la investigación científica. Córdoba,
Argentina: Editorial Brujas.