Write a paper Applying a Theoretical/Conceptual Framework to a Research Scenario.
The literature review is focused on scholarly articles related to a social problem or phenomenon of interest and the tentatively identified research problem. A thorough review of the literature will confirm if the tentatively identified research problem really is something the scholarly community does not yet know. Having to identify a new or tweaking the initial tentative research problem is common as you become immersed in the literature.
It is important to review the most current research to ensure a viable research problem, and it is important to review the scholarly peer-reviewed literature to ensure credible information. In one of this week’s readings, Lewandowsky et al. (2012) discuss the pervasiveness of misinformation. In another of this week’s readings, Creswell and Creswell (2018) discuss the role and mechanics of a literature review. For our purposes we are not focused on the mechanics, but on the role and purpose. A literature review guides the identification and confirmation of a research problem and identifies relevant populations, constructs, themes, instruments, variables and known interrelationships, and prevalent theories and conceptual frameworks.
A theory or conceptual framework is necessary in designing a dissertation study and plays a key role in interpreting the results of the study. Quantitative studies are often guided by theory, but many are atheoretical and guided by a conceptual framework. Similarly, qualitative studies are often guided by a conceptual framework, but many are solely guided by theory or include theory within the conceptual framework.
A guiding theory must align with the research question. If expecting high school seniors exposed to problem-based versus lecture-based curriculums to differ on critical thinking skill scores, then ask yourself what theory might suggest an expected difference. In this scenario the cognitive and social constructivist theory of learning suggests that problem-based learning could increase critical thinking skills.
Similarly, a conceptual framework must align with the research question. The cognitive and social constructivist theory of learning could, alone or as part of a larger conceptual framework, guide qualitative research on classroom experiences and developmental range of experiences contributing to students’ critical thinking. Another element of the conceptual framework could be Kurfiss’s (1988) eight principles of critical thinking teaching practices. In fact, the eight principles could be used as a deductive coding strategy of lesson plans and classroom observations.
In this Discussion, you will re-visit your quantitative and qualitative problem, purpose, and research question and identify an aligned theory or conceptual model to guide a quantitative or qualitative study related to your research problem.
Grant, C., & Osanloo, A. (2014). Understanding, selecting, and integrating a theoretical framework in dissertation research: Creating the blueprint for your “house.” Administrative Issues Journal: Connecting Education, Practice, and Research, 14(2), 12–26. https://doi./10.5929/2014.4.2.9
Lewandowsky, S., Ecker, U. H., Seifert, C. M., Schwarz, N., & Cook, J. (2012). Misinformation and its correction: Continued influence and successful debiasing. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 13(3), 106–131. https://doi.org/10.1177/1529100612451018
Rocco, T. S., & Plakhotnik, M. S. (2009). Literature reviews, conceptual frameworks, and theoretical frameworks: Terms, functions, and distinctions. Human Resource Development Review, 8(1), 120–130. https://doi.org/10.1177/1534484309332617
To Prepare
Read the Learning Resources on conducting a literature review. Pay particular attention to how reviewing the literature can help you build on and refine your research problem.
Read the Learning Resources on theoretical and conceptual frameworks. Think about the differences between the two and how each might guide a quantitative or qualitative study.
Review your prior Week’s Discussion on a quantitative and qualitative research problem, purpose, and research question. Given the additional literature you have read about your research problem, consider how you might build on and refine it.
Identify a specific psychological or sociological theory or specific aspects of a conceptual framework that guide your quantitative and qualitative scenarios. Depending on the context of each scenario, the same specific theory or specific aspects of a conceptual framework could guide both scenarios.
To help identify a specific theory visit:
http://changingminds.org/explanations/theories/theories.htm
https://www.utwente.nl/en/bms/communication-theories/
Alignment of scenario elements is important. See the Examples of Aligned and Misaligned Scenarios document, which can be downloaded from the Week 2 Learning Resources area of the classroom.
Discussion posts are pass/fail but have minimum criteria to pass. See the Discussion Rubric, found in the Learning Resources, to ensure you understand the pass/fail criteria.
By Day 3
Repost, or build on or refine as needed, your Week 1 Discussion using the following headings and according to the italicized instructions given for each element:
Program of Study: Identify your specific program of study and, if applicable, your concentration area.
Social Problem: Briefly describe the social problem or phenomenon of interest. Typically, this can be done in 3 or fewer sentences.
Quantitative Research Problem: Complete the following sentence: The scholarly community does not know…
Quantitative Research Purpose: Typically, this is a 1-sentence statement addressed by completing the following sentence: The purpose of this quantitative study is…
Quantitative Research Question: Typically, this is a 1-sentence question unless you have more than one research question.
Theory or Conceptual Framework: Identify a specific psychological or sociological theory or specific aspects of a conceptual framework that guides that guides the scenario. Briefly describe how the specific theory or conceptual framework guides your research question and will aid in interpretation of results.
Qualitative Research Problem: Complete the following sentence: The scholarly community does not know…
Qualitative Research Purpose: Typically, this is a 1-sentence statement addressed by completing the following sentence: The purpose of this qualitative study is…
Qualitative Research Question: Typically, this is a 1-sentence question unless you have more than one research question.
Theory or Conceptual Framework: Identify a specific psychological or sociological theory or specific aspects of a conceptual framework that guides the scenario. Briefly describe how the specific theory or conceptual framework guides your research question and will aid in interpretation of results. If this is the same as described for the quantitative scenario, then just indicate “same as quantitative.”
Note: Use proper APA format. If helpful, support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources.
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