This paper will discuss two interpretations of two essential terms: Theory and Conceptual framework.
First: Theory:
Definition: Theories are rules and foundations for understanding a particular model in a science logically and rationally to reach a set of conclusions; these conclusions help understand this model (Amnh, 2021).
What theory is not?
According to Sutton, a theory is not merely references and indications, statements supporting a theory, a set of related definitions, diagrams, illustrations, or hypotheses and conjectures that are not based on foundations. A theory explains a state of nature and confirms its existence (Sutton & Staw, 1995).
Example: Maslow's pyramid of needs theory; people far from the scientific research field can see that this theory is a set of hypotheses and guesses composed by the theory owner to show the sequence of employee needs. Researchers know that this theory is an explanation of natural phenomena that is well supported by evidence that Is hard to doubt (Isaacs A. et al., 2019).
Second: Conceptual framework:
Definition: It refers to the terms, concepts, and objectives related to the problem or research topic (Fasb, 2020).
What Conceptual framework is not?
The conceptual framework is not the theoretical framework; the theoretical framework identifies the existing, tested, and applicable theories that support the current research. So, the conceptual framework is the researcher's idea of how to explore the research problem (Fasb, 2020).
Example: If a theory says, "Employees motivate their response to perform better work," then the conceptual framework for the same topic is as follows: "The manager's new motivation method has improved employee performance."
Importance of Theory and Conceptual Framework for the scholar-practitioner model:
Although a good understanding of the difference between the theoretical and conceptual framework is not easy, and it requires the practitioner to have great experience in the research and academic aspects that the researcher did not reach until after a great effort, the two terms can be benefited from in the scholar-practitioner model by integrating what can be combined between the two concepts and distinguishing their differences.
Aspects of agreement:
- They indicate the study's credibility from previous research findings and theories (Kivunja, 2018).
- Both explain the future course of the research study to justify the credibility of the study.
- Both are used to understand a research problem and guide research development, collection, and analysis.
- Both show the relationship between ideas and theories and how they relate to the study.
Theoretical framework differences:
- The theoretical framework is used in quantitative research (Center for Research Quality, n.d.).
- The theoretical framework focuses on the historical background and structure of bridging the knowledge gap (Center for Research Quality, n.d.)
The conceptual framework differences:
- Conceptual frameworks are commonly seen in qualitative research work.
- The conceptual framework focuses on the key concepts that characterize the study variable to give an informed understanding of the study (Kivunja, 2018).
Conclusion
Scientific research includes many academic terms, some of which are highly overlapping, and it is difficult for non-specialists to differentiate between them. Due to the intertwined relationships, for example, the terms theoretical framework and conceptual framework, which are among the important procedures used in different types of scientific research, it is necessary for the scholar practitioner to understand the nature of each of them in order to benefit greatly from theories on practical reality and practice.
References
Amnh. (2021). What Is a Theory? https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/darwin/evolution-today/what-is-a-theoryCenter for Research Quality (n.d.) Theory [Video file]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EzY9ePFfCU (22:45)
Fasb. (2020). WHAT IS THE CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK https://www.fasb.org/cs/ContentServer?c=Page&cid=1176168367774&d=&pagename=FASB%2FPage%2FBridgePage#section_1
Isaacs, Anton & Beauchamp, Alison & Sutton, Keith & Kocaali, Nilay. (2019). Care Coordination Can Reduce Unmet Needs of Persons With Severe and Persistent Mental Illness. Frontiers in Psychiatry. 10. 563. 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00563.
Kivunja, C. (2018). Distinguishing between Theory, Theoretical, and Conceptual Framework: A Systematic Review of Lessons from the Field. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1198682.pdf
Sutton, R., & Staw, B. (1995). What Theory is Not? Administrative Science Quarterly, 40(3), 371-384. doi:10.2307/2393788. Retrieved from JSTOR Database from the Touro Library