CONCEPTUAL and THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

1. CONCEPTUAL andTHEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

2. What is FRAMEWORK? • A framework is simply the structure of the research idea or concept and how it is put together.

3. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK • A conceptual framework elaborates the research problem in relation to relevant literature. • This section may summarize the major (dependent and independent) variables in your research. • The framework may be summarized in a schematic diagram that presents the major variables and their hypothesized relationships.

4. Functions of CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK • Existing research and its relevance for your topic • Key ideas or constructs in your approach • Identify and discuss the variables related to the problem. • Conceptualized relationships between variables

5. Functions of CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK • Independent variables (presumed cause) • Dependent variables (presumed effect) • Intervening variables (other variables that influence the effect of the independent variable) • Present a schematic diagram of the relationships between key variables and discuss the relationship of the elements/variables • Statement of hypotheses

6. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK The framework is served to investigate the influential factors (independent variables) that may contribute to the RFID adoption (dependent variable) .

7. What is a Theory? THEORY - formulated to explain, predict, and understand phenomena and, in many cases, to challenge and extend existing knowledge, within the limits of the critical bounding assumptions.

8. Theoretical Framework • The theoretical framework is the structure that can hold or support a theory of a research study. The theoretical framework introduces and describes the theory which explains why the research problem under study exists. • consists of concepts, together with their definitions, and existing theory/theories that are used for your particular study.

9. Theoretical Framework • The theoretical framework must demonstrate an understanding of theories and concepts that are relevant to the topic of your  research paper and that will relate it to the broader fields of knowledge in the class you are taking.

10. The theoretical framework strengthens the study in the following ways: • An explicit statement of  theoretical assumptions permits the reader to evaluate them critically. • The theoretical framework connects the researcher to existing knowledge. Guided by a relevant theory, you are given a basis for your hypotheses and choice of research methods. • Articulating the theoretical assumptions of a research study forces you to address questions of why and how. It permits you to move from simply describing a phenomenon observed to generalizing about various aspects of that phenomenon. • Having a theory helps you to identify the limits to those generalizations. A theoretical framework specifies which key variables influence a phenomenon of interest. It alerts you to examine how those key variables might differ and under what circumstances.

11. Pointers in writing you Theoretical Framework: • Clearly describe the framework, concepts, models, or specific theories that underpin your study. • Position your theoretical framework within a broader context of related frameworks, concepts, models, or theories.  • The present tense is used when writing about theory. • You should make your theoretical assumptions as explicit as possible. • Don’t just take what the theory says as a given