DEVELOPING
THEORETICAL AND
CONCEPTUAL
FRAMEWORKS
LEARNING OUTCOME
1. Understand the relationship of conceptual
framework from a theoretical
framework.
2. Integrate the concepts used in the formulation
of conceptual and theoretical framework.
3. Analyzes if the conceptual framework are
logically linked with the research
purpose, problems/questions,and
hypotheses.
4. Differentiate the terms used in the
formulation of conceptual and
theoretical framework.
WHAT IS A THEORY?
“Theoria” - Greek word theoria, means “beholding
spectacle or speculation”
Never considered true or proven,
Can be discarded if not supported
by empirical findings
Organized body of concepts and
principles intended to explain a
particular
phenomenon.
CHARACTERISTICS
OF THEORIES
1. Consists of concepts
The building block of a theory
or basic idea of a phenomenon
that symbolizes reality.
Examples
Abstract concept: Concrete concept:
• Nursing Nurse
• Man Pedro
• Community
Manila
• In a scientific
research, concepts
must all be
interrelated to form a
framework that guide
and direct the
researcher in his
investigation.
PROCESSES OF CONCEPTS
Conceptualization
- forms basic
ideas, designs and plans
based
on given facts,
situations applicable to
the present
study.
• Constructs - highly abstract, complex
phenomena that are not observable, but are
inferred from concrete or less abstract
indicators of a given phenomenon.
• Examples:
– Wellness
– mental
health
– self-
esteem
Conceptual framework
- Consists of specific or
well-defined concepts and
constructs
- helps clarify the overall
underpinnings of the
research variables in terms
of how these concepts are
defined and
operationalized.
Theoretical Framework?
– It presents a theory that
explains why a problem under
study exists and explains
the connection between
certain factors and the
problem.
– Concepts presented are
usually abstract and
expressed in general terms.
•Examples of Theories and Models in
Nursing Research
Callista Roy’s Adaptation Model
Dorothea Orem’s Self-Care Model
Nola Pender’s Health Promotion Model
Albert Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory
PURPOSES OF THEORY TO
NURSING PRACTICE
1. Justify the rationale behind the
investigation.
2. Give reasons for searching new data and
for analyzing, interpreting,
and synthesizing data
3.To make findings more meaningful.
PURPOSES OF THEORY TO
NURSING PRACTICE
4. Cite theory/ies on which the study is premised,
in order to establish the relationship among the
variables of the study.
5.To summarize existing knowledge into coherent
systems to stimulate new research.
ex. The degree of complications during
pregnancy varies directly with maternal
malnutrition, and economic
status
• Example:
The study on “The Relationship
Between Exposure to Mass Media and
Smoking Habits Among Young
Adults”
Example:
• Impact of smoking status on long-
term mortality in patients with acute
myocardial infarction
EXAMPLE:
• In a study of how different doses
of a drug affect the severity of
symptoms, a researcher could
compare the frequency and
intensity of symptoms when
different doses are
administered.
INTERVENING VARIABLE
• factor that works “between” the
independent and dependent variables.
• It can weaken (decrease) or
strengthen (increase) the effect of
the independent on the dependent
variables.
• Also called a
“facilitating variable,”
“moderator” or a
“control variable.”
• EXAMPLE:
“Knowledge on the Dangers of Smoking,
Attitudes Towards Life, and Smoking
Habits of Young Professionals”
ANTECEDENT VARIABLES
factor or characteristic which is found
before the independent variable.
• expected to
influence the independent
variable/s.
usually irreversible
Example:
“Extent of Exposure to Print
Media and Reading Ability of
College Freshman”
Operational Definition of Variables
• Gives a specific meaning to the variable. It
clarifies how a variable or term is used
and measured in the study.
• defined in terms of events/units of
measurement that are observable by the
senses, which serve as the indicator of
the variable.
• Variables • Indicator/Operational
Definition
1.Age • 1.This refers to the
length of time a person
has lived since he/she
was born. In this study,
it refers to the age of
a respondent on his/her
last birthday.
2. Educational • 2.This refers to the
Attainment highest grade/year
completed by the
respondent.
