Based on my reading, there are some students who put the theoretical and conceptual framework in the literature review chapter. In my case, is it recommended to put it under the chapter of research methodology?
Thank you.
Dear Mohamad Syahrul Nizam Ibrahim,
The answer to your question: it depends. If your conceptual framework is very long it may deserve a whole chapter but if it is very short 2-3 pages it may part of your methodology chapter. You may use the following sub-title: The Conceptual framework of the proposed methodology. Once again, it depends of the nature of your work, in particular, if your a lengthy theoretical proof, then it may warrant a standalone chapter.
Dear Mohamad Syahrul Nizam Ibrahim ,
A theoretical framework belongs at the start of the literature or at the start of a theme within the literature review. A conceptual framework is based on the findings of the review and often provides a visual map for the data collection. It can therefore either be placed at the end of the review or at the start of the methodology.
For the distinction between the two, please see:
Varpio, L., Paradis, E., Uijtdehaage, S., & Young, M. (2020). The distinctions between theory, theoretical framework, and conceptual framework. Academic Medicine, 95(7), 989-994.
Dear Mr. Peter Samuels
Thank you for your concise explanation. Really appreciate it.
This is an excellent question specifically to address many PG students concerns. As for now, the thesis guidelines currently in use in the University allow us to place both conceptual and theoretical framework in chapter 1 and research framework in chapter 3 under methodology.It depends upon different Univeristy thesis guidelines.
I have on several instances been asked this question by my Research Methods students. What compounds the whole discussion is that some autors of research books also seem not to have one position. My take is that the theoretical framework should precede the conceptual framework and that both should be in Chapter Two (Literature Review). The theoretial framework delves into theories that have ben posited by autorities in particular areas of study and hence should set the stage for a research to conceptualise the dependent variables in the CP
The conceptual framework also called the research paradigm shows the direction the research will be undertaken. It should be placed immediately after literature review.
A conceptual framework is a pictorial representation of the nexus a researcher expects to see between his/her variables of interests—dependent and independent variables. These variables of interest are generated from the empirical findings from the literature reviewed. Hence, a conceptual framework should be placed just after the review of the related literature to guide the methodology that follows.
I think both conceptual and theoretical frameworks should be presented in the methodology section. After the literature review, you design the concept of your research. According to the concepts and relationships of variables, the theory of the research should be explained. This I explained specifically considering a research paper.
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