Navigating Research Terminology: Paradigms, Theories, and Frameworks Explained
Research can sometimes feel like navigating a labyrinth of complex terms and concepts. For PhD students, particularly those new to the field, understanding the nuances of research terminology can be a daunting task. Terms like "paradigm," "conceptual framework," "theory," and "theoretical framework" are often used interchangeably, leading to confusion. However, each of these terms has a distinct meaning and plays a specific role in the research process. In this blog post, we’ll clarify these terms, explore how they relate to each other, and I’ll show you some examples so it’s not totally abstract.
What is a Research Paradigm?
A paradigm is the broadest term we’re going to look at in this post. It refers to the overarching framework or worldview that guides a researcher’s approach to their study. A paradigm encompasses what the researcher sees when they look at the social world (ontology), how they go about studying that social world (epistemology), and the tools and techniques they use to gather that knowledge (methodology). Essentially, a paradigm is the "big picture" that shapes how a researcher views the world and conducts their research.
Think of a paradigm as a lens through which you see your research topic. The lens you choose will affect how you ask questions, what you consider to be valid evidence, and how you interpret your findings. For example, if you adopt a positivist paradigm, you might approach your research with the belief that there is an objective reality in the social world that can be measured and quantified. On the other hand, if you adopt an interpretivist paradigm, you might believe that there isn’t one hard, fixed reality— the social world looks and feels different to everyone. Therefore, you might focus on understanding the subjective meanings that individuals attach to their lived experiences. In other words, a positivist paradigm seeks objective facts, while an interpretivist paradigm focuses on understanding personal experiences and perspectives.
Example in Practice: In a study exploring young people’s friendships formed through part-time work, a positivist approach might measure the frequency of interactions between coworkers and analyse whether these interactions correlate with job satisfaction or productivity. In contrast, an interpretivist approach might conduct in-depth interviews to explore how young people perceive these friendships and what they mean to them.
What is a Theory?
Moving one step down from paradigms, we have theory. A theory is a set of concepts and propositions that explain how and why certain phenomena occur. Put simply, theories explain why things happen and help predict what might happen. They provide a way of understanding events, behaviours, and situations by identifying relationships between the things involved. In other words, a theory offers a coherent explanation of the "why" behind what we observe.
Theories can be broad or specific, and they can be applied across different fields of study.
Example in Practice: In our study of young people’s friendships at work, you might use social exchange theory to explore how these friendships are formed. Social exchange theory suggests that relationships are formed and maintained based on the costs and benefits individuals perceive. You could investigate whether young people are more likely to form friendships with coworkers when they perceive that the benefits (such as emotional support or camaraderie) outweigh the costs (such as time or effort). The theory provides a lens through which you can interpret your findings and draw conclusions.
What is a Conceptual Framework?
A conceptual framework is a structure that helps you organise and connect the key concepts and variables that you will explore in your research. It serves as a roadmap, outlining the relationships between different concepts and the theoretical assumptions that underpin them.
While a theory offers an explanation of a phenomenon, a conceptual framework shows how that theory, along with other relevant concepts, will be used in your research. It provides a visual or narrative representation of the relationships between the factors or variables, helping you clarify your research questions and hypotheses.
Example in Practice: For the study on young people’s friendships at work, you might develop a conceptual framework that includes the concepts of peer support and workplace satisfaction. You could map out how these concepts are related, based on the literature, and use this framework to guide your data collection and analysis. For instance, you might hypothesise that friendships at work (peer support) lead to higher workplace satisfaction, with reciprocity acting as the underlying mechanism—this could link to the social exchange theory mentioned earlier.
What is a Theoretical Framework?
A theoretical framework is closely related to a conceptual framework, but it is more specifically focused on the theories that underpin your research. While a conceptual framework might include a broader range of concepts and variables, a theoretical framework explicitly identifies the theories that will guide your analysis and interpretation of the data.
Theoretical frameworks help position your research within the broader academic literature. They show how your study is grounded in existing knowledge and how it contributes to or challenges that knowledge. A well-defined theoretical framework ensures that your research is theoretically sound and that your findings can be understood in relation to established theories.
Example in Practice: In the same study on friendships at work, your theoretical framework might be grounded in social exchange theory and attachment theory. You would explain how these theories provide a foundation for your research questions and hypotheses. For example, social exchange theory could help explain why certain friendships form at work, while attachment theory might provide insight into the emotional bonds that develop between coworkers.
How Do These Terms Relate to Each Other?
Now that we’ve defined these key terms, let’s explore how they relate to each other in the context of research:
Paradigm is the broadest framework and represents your overarching worldview. It influences every aspect of your research, from the questions you ask to the methods you use. Theory provides the specific explanations for the phenomena you are studying. It offers a set of propositions about how and why certain events occur. A conceptual Framework organises the key concepts and variables of your study. It shows how these concepts are related and how they will be examined in your research. It is often informed by theories but is tailored to the specific context of your study. A theoretical Framework identifies the specific theories you will use to guide your analysis. It positions your study within the broader academic literature and provides a basis for interpreting your findings.
Example in Practice: Let’s put all of this together in the context of our study on young people’s friendships formed through part-time work:
Paradigm: You choose an interpretivist paradigm because you are interested in understanding the subjective experiences of young people and the meanings they attach to their work friendships.
Theory: You draw on social exchange theory to explain how these friendships are formed and maintained.
Conceptual Framework: You develop a framework that connects concepts like peer support, workplace satisfaction, and social exchange to guide your research questions and data collection.
Theoretical Framework: Your theoretical framework is grounded in social exchange theory and attachment theory, which will inform how you analyse and interpret the data you collect.
These terms are not just academic jargon—they are the building blocks of your study that help clarify your research approach, connect your work to existing knowledge, and generate meaningful insights.
What next?
If you like the way I explain things and found this blogpost helpful, come and check out my course, Paradigms for Beginners, it would be great to see you in there! Click here to learn more.
Paradigms for Beginners