10/16/2010
Conceptual/Theoretical
Framework
Conceptual (Theoretical)
Frameworks
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October 16
16, 2010
A Conceptual (Theoretical)
Framework
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Should grow logically out of your literature
review.
Should lead to your methodology and provide
a rationale for why you are proceeding in a
particular way.
Conceptual (Theoretical)
Framework
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Put Another Way…
A Conceptual Framework…
Organizers
The key ideas that
organize and shape
your thinking
thinking.
Conceptual frameworks attempt to
connect to all aspects of inquiry (e.g.,
problem definition, purpose, literature
review methodology
review,
methodology, data collection and
analysis).
Conceptual frameworks should act like
maps that give coherence to your inquiry.
A Sample Conceptual
Framework
Explains key constructs and terms,
introduces or clarifies any theoretical
models
z Situates your work within prior theory
and research on the question.
z Identifies the phenomena you propose
to analyze and the justification for
studying them.
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Writing a Conceptual
Framework
Academic Disciplines Are…
Begin with an introductory paragraph
introducing the elements of the
conceptual framework.
z Conclude with a summation that
helps review the need for your study
and transitions to the methodology
you will use.
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Communities
of
Practice
THEORY
(Ideology
Epistemology)
E
i t
l
)
Discourse
Communities
PRACTICE
(Pedagogy)
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Conceptual Framework
Formatting Can Help You
Think!
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When purpose and framework are
aligned, other aspects of the research
such as methodological choices and
statistical techniques become simpler
to identify.
z Why did you approach your problem
in THIS particular way?
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Using Levels of Headers
Using Levels of Headers
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Heading Levels use formatting to
communicate a hierarchy of ideas for
readers.
Topics off equal importance should have
same heading level throughout a MS.
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Use APA levels of headers to present
the components of your conceptual
framework.
APA heading style has 5 formatting styles
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Based on level of subordination
Page 62
BUT NO BOLD within
BUT…NO
ithi the
th MS!!! (This
(Thi is
i a
requirement of Graduate Studies, not APA.)
So…for your dissertation, use modified APA!
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APA Heading Levels
1. Centered, Uppercase and Lowercase
Heading
For Example…Chapter 1
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Chapter Titles = Level 1 (Centered,
Uppercase and Lowercase Heading)
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2. Flush Left, Uppercase and Lowercase
Heading
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3. Indented, lowercase paragraph heading
with a period.
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4. Indented, italicized, lowercase paragraph
heading with a period.
For Example…Chapter 1
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Title = Level 1 (Centered, Uppercase and
Lowercase Heading)
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For Example…Chapter 2
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Are your categories tied to the research
questions?
Do you have at least one category per
research question?
Are your descriptors based on the literature?
Do they make sense?
Did you forget any descriptors?
Are your descriptors in the best order?
Title = Level 1
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Introduction: Heading optional
Review of Literature = Level 2
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Theoretical/ conceptual framework = Level 2
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Introduction: Heading optional
Problem Statement = Level 2
Purpose and Significance = Level 2
Research Questions = Level2
Overview of Methodology = Level 2
Limitations and Delimitations = Level 2
Organization of the Dissertation = Level 2
Conceptual Framework
Subheadings
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Introduction
Problem Statement
Purpose and Significance
Research Questions
Overview of Methodology
Limitations and Delimitations
Organization of the Dissertation
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Sub headings that group your sources
sources--Level
Level 3
Sub headings that group the parts of your framework=
Level 3
Summary = Level 2
Suggestion!
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Find and read several conceptual/ theoretical
frameworks in Ed.D. leadership dissertations
to get a sense of how they might look.
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