Conceptual framework, theoretical framework, research gap and concept matrix: My Literature Review
It’s been a long time since I posted anything. With PhD, Supervisor, Husband and simply Life! I am totally packed. So, I have to conduct a literature review and I guess the heading says it all. How should I go about it? What’s the difference between conceptual and theoretical framework? How to find ‘the’ research gap? What is a concept matrix and how do you make one?
Discuss your Dissertation 
robertmaxeey 9:33 am on April 29, 2016 Permalink |
You must have read articles on your topic, now you just have to review them. Your question is too broad. I think you first need to read about literature review. Try this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Literature-Review-Step-Step-Students/dp/1412934265
morry1 9:23 am on May 17, 2016 Permalink |
My question is broad as I have just stepped on the first stair of conducting a literature review. Thanks for the book but I am looking for your experiences on how to do this research.
sharonbaneey1 4:11 am on May 18, 2016 Permalink |
A true literature review is text that Synthesizes & Analyses all the available current research from Peer-reviewed Sources and shows how it relates to your investigation. You can basically categorize your LR as per your topic. For example, let’s say that I have to write an LR about the impact of customer satisfaction and service quality on the airline industry. So for that, I can divide my LR into subheads like, introduction to aviation industry, definition of customer satisfaction, definition of service quality, impact of customer satisfaction on aviation industry and impact of service quality on aviation industry. In each of this headings, I will explore the related studies, what methods are used by them and their findings. On this basis, I will now develop a research gap, something that the others have missed out. Then I can develop a conceptual framework pertaining to the variables I intend on examining like, reliability and tangibility (they define the service quality). That’s just a way to go about writing an LR. Can you relate your research to that?
leatriceamar 11:47 am on May 23, 2016 Permalink |
Hi! I can help you out with differentiating between conceptual and theoretical framework. I am a student of California Institute of Technology and was stuck in the similar dilemma as you are right now. My professor gave me some crucial ideas to distinguish between both of them. The difference is minute but substantial, in simple term a conceptual framework should show your idea on how research problem should be explored and this idea is established on the grounds of theoretical framework which includes theories and findings of numerous investigations to substantiate your research. Follow this link to learn more:
http://www.thesisclinic.co.uk/blog/a-guide-to-understand-the-conceptual-framework-in-a-better-way/
adamflindeers 6:10 am on May 26, 2016 Permalink |
I checked out the above blog and I started going through the site. I found another one, where the writer has explained it real good, about how to make your Literature Review useful. You can refer to it.
http://www.thesisclinic.co.uk/blog/how-to-make-your-literature-review-more-valuable/
And how about you simply alter a framework that has already been developed by someone else, instead of creating your own intellectual framework from scratch?
morry1 11:55 am on June 1, 2016 Permalink |
Hi Adam, you are suggesting that I should just incorporate a variable (add-on) in a theoretical framework and call it as a conceptual framework? And which theoretical framework should be used, from old literature or recent ones?
I am just reading academic papers related to my area, lots of it, so I haven’t started writing it down. I am planning to first gather all the literature, go through it and first develop the gap, then Ill segregate the LR.
adamflindeers 12:56 pm on June 14, 2016 Permalink |
New framework is usually preferable, however, if relevant, you can use the old ones (which are less explored). The additions you make should be thoroughly researched and justified. So the variables you take should be backed with literature. The proper way of writing an LR is to first present the studies on the matter segregated with headings, then the gap is evaluated. After that the conceptual framework is created where you may/may not develop the hypothesis. Here you need to explore the literature about all your variables. I think that summarises everything. If unclear, you can certainly ask for any more doubts.
leatriceamar 10:42 am on June 28, 2016 Permalink |
It’s not necessary to have a conceptual framework, really. The literature should be relevant, that is what matters. With a tinge of systematic organisation, you’ll be good to go.