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Yusuf Ebrahim
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Author: Yusuf Ebrahim, lecturer, Department of Architecture and Building Science (DA+BS), University of
Nairobi. Email: ebrahimyusuf18@gmail.com or ebrahim@uonbi.ac.ke
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Chapter 2 Literature review – Part 2 Theoretical framework, conceptual framework review and modelling
Yusuf H. Ebrahim
Research methodology textbook on assessing and appreciating the impact of urban built form on micro-
temperature change: Chapter preview
Part 1 of chapter two on general matters of literature review will be covered under
the following topics: general review of related literature; importance of a good literature
review; purpose of a literature review; types of literature reviews; basic six types of
literature review; argumentative review; integrative review; historical review;
methodological review; systematic review; theoretical review; structure and writing style;
four inclusions in the structure of a literature review; four critical evaluation of each work;
development of the literature review; four stages in the development of a literature review;
four considerations prior to writing a literature review; four ways of organizing literature
reviews; five other sections of the literature review; writing the literature review; common
mistakes to avoid when reviewing research literature; chi-square methods; and meta-analytic
methods.
Part 2 of chapter two on theoretical framework, conceptual framework review and
modelling will be covered under the following topics: theoretical framework; importance of
theory; strategies for developing the theoretical framework; structure and writing style;
conceptual framework review; difference between conceptual and theoretical framework;
how to build a conceptual framework; what is a conceptual framework for an educational
thesis; model and modelling; and hypothesis.
This chapter preview shows Part 2 (Theoretical framework, conceptual framework
review and modelling) of Chapter Two (Literature review), while Part 1 (General matters of
literature review) has already been presented under a different cover (Visit:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325813387). A reference list is given at the end for
readers to follow on the proceedings.
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Chapter 2 Literature review – Part 2 Theoretical framework, conceptual framework review and modelling
Yusuf H. Ebrahim
Research methodology textbook on assessing and appreciating the impact of urban built form on micro-
temperature change: Chapter preview
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
Theories are formulated to explain, predict, and understand phenomena and, in many
cases, to challenge and extend existing knowledge, within the limits of the critical bounding
assumptions. The theoretical framework is the structure that can hold or support a theory of
a research study. The theoretical framework introduces and describes the theory which
explains why the research problem under study exists (USC Libraries, 2014).
IMPORTANCE OF THEORY
A theoretical framework consists of concepts, together with their definitions, and
existing theory or theories that are used for one’s particular study. The theoretical
framework must demonstrate an understanding of theories and concepts that are relevant to
the topic of one’s research paper and that will relate it to the broader fields of knowledge in
the class one is taking. The theoretical framework is not something that is found readily
available in the literature. One must review course readings and pertinent research literature
for theories and analytic models that are relevant to the research problem one is
investigating. The selection of a theory should depend on its appropriateness, ease of
application, and explanatory power. The theoretical framework strengthens the study in the
following ways:
1. An explicit statement of theoretical assumptions permits the reader to evaluate them
critically.
2. The theoretical framework connects the researcher to existing knowledge. Guided by
a relevant theory, one is a given a basis for one’s hypotheses and choice of research
methods.
3. Articulating the theoretical assumptions of a research study forces one to address
questions of why and how. It permits one to move from simply describing a
phenomenon observed to generalizing about various aspects of that phenomenon.
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Chapter 2 Literature review – Part 2 Theoretical framework, conceptual framework review and modelling
Yusuf H. Ebrahim
Research methodology textbook on assessing and appreciating the impact of urban built form on micro-
temperature change: Chapter preview
Page: 4 of 11
Chapter 2 Literature review – Part 2 Theoretical framework, conceptual framework review and modelling
Yusuf H. Ebrahim
Research methodology textbook on assessing and appreciating the impact of urban built form on micro-
temperature change: Chapter preview
Page: 5 of 11
Chapter 2 Literature review – Part 2 Theoretical framework, conceptual framework review and modelling
Yusuf H. Ebrahim
Research methodology textbook on assessing and appreciating the impact of urban built form on micro-
temperature change: Chapter preview
5. Don’t just take what the theory says as a given? Reality is never accurately
represented in such a simplistic way; if one implies that it can be, one fundamentally
distort a reader’s ability to understand the findings that emerge. Given this, always
note the limitations of the theoretical framework one has chosen – i.e. what parts of
the research problem require further investigation because the theory does not
explain a certain phenomenon (USC Libraries, 2014).
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Chapter 2 Literature review – Part 2 Theoretical framework, conceptual framework review and modelling
Yusuf H. Ebrahim
Research methodology textbook on assessing and appreciating the impact of urban built form on micro-
temperature change: Chapter preview
1. Any research topic has multiple perspectives to it. The researcher, however, cannot
focus on all the viewpoints simultaneously. He has to put forth a logical structure
that the research will follow by setting down the broad areas that will be covered.
This is called the framework of the research. The research framework, especially,
helps the researcher retain a sharp focus on the work. It may be theoretical or
conceptual.
2. When there is any topic to be researched, there are certain theories associated with it;
these theories are generalized observations of the researcher himself or well-
established theories propounded on the topic by earlier researchers. A research
framework based on ideas and models. It establishes the vantage point on perspective
through which the researcher views the problem. Conceptual framework is used by
researchers to guide their inquiry and presents the research in relation to the relevant
literature. The conceptual framework may summarize the major dependent and
independent variables in the research and the relation between them. Conceptual
framework is the operationalization of the theoretical framework.
3. The objective of forming a theoretical framework is to define a broad framework
within which a researcher may work. The theoretical framework enhances overall
clarity of the research. It also helps the researcher get through the research faster as
he has to look only for information within the theoretical framework, and not follow
up any other information he finds on the topic. The main objective in forming a
conceptual framework is to help the researcher give direction to the research. The
conceptual framework identifies the research tools and methods that may be used to
carry out the research effectively.
4. The theoretical framework looks at time-tested theories in relation to any research
topic. The conceptual framework is the researcher’s idea on how the research
problem will be explored, keeping in mind the theories put forth in the theoretical
framework. The theoretical framework looks at the general relationship of things in a
phenomenon, while conceptual framework puts forth the methods to study the
relationship between the specific variables identified in the research topic.
Conceptual framework gives a direction to the research that is missing in theoretical
framework by helping decide on tools and methods that may be employed in the
research.
5. The theoretical framework is broader in scope and looks at the larger picture. For
instance, an example of a theoretical framework for research could be “eating
choices affect health”, a broad topic. The conceptual framework is more specific and
puts down the specific variables that will have to be explored in the investigation. In
this specific example, the conceptual framework may include the specific foods
eaten and their relation to specific health issues like blood pressure or diabetes
(Steward, 2014).
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Chapter 2 Literature review – Part 2 Theoretical framework, conceptual framework review and modelling
Yusuf H. Ebrahim
Research methodology textbook on assessing and appreciating the impact of urban built form on micro-
temperature change: Chapter preview
be applied, suits researchers, teachers and students alike. Further, these conceptual
houses are built with “open windows’, inviting anyone interested in a given concept
to a cleat overview of it, and showing them why it’s important.
2. Know the objective. Whether one is a student, teacher or researcher, or even all the
said afore, the main objective in forming a conceptual framework is the same: find
and connect relevant information that leads to a desired conclusion. For example, if
one is doing research about how innovation improves school education, focus only
on information that connects innovation with school improvement.
3. Own the information. This involves making one’s conceptual construct into more of
a home than just a house. One achieves this by viewing information-gathering as
more than a perfunctory process, series of chores to check off on a list. Rather, make
the information meaningful to one on one’s own terms. Make it worth one’s time.
4. Write it out. After thinking about the information one has gathered, what it means
and how it relates to one’s objective, record one’s thought in writing. Writing is
thinking, and it aids critical reflection. In this way, one will organize one’s mind and
thoughts, and one will help reveal any unresolved questions so that one can address
them intelligently.
5. Share with others. Collaboration serves as a test of one’s conceptual framework’s
integrity. Sharing one’s information with others will reveal whether one’s objective
is clear and that the information is relevant. This “open house” approach also gives
one an opportunity to gain valuable feedback from others, which is especially
important when working on a research team.
6. Be flexible. Over time, one may receive new information that adds an important
piece to one’s conceptual framework. For example, in 2003, the United Nations’
Food and Agricultural Organization published a conceptual framework about
agricultural development and food security. Its purpose, said the publication, was “to
propose a flexible, general approach” to addressing the issue and creating a strategy.
Like the U.N., one needs to be willing to “redecorate” one’s conceptual home. This
may even mean revising previously formed conclusions (Charles, 2014).
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Chapter 2 Literature review – Part 2 Theoretical framework, conceptual framework review and modelling
Yusuf H. Ebrahim
Research methodology textbook on assessing and appreciating the impact of urban built form on micro-
temperature change: Chapter preview
3. A thesis statement is one or two sentences in a paper that contains the focus of the
paper and discusses what the paper will be about. All academic and research papers
must contain a thesis statement. The thesis statement will often expound upon a
research question that will be answered in the paper.
4. To create a conceptual framework the writer must develop research questions,
examine the key variables in regards to those research questions, create a graphic
diagram of the question examined, graphically describe the key elements involved,
depicts current research associated with questions and show relationships between all
variables.
5. It is important to focus on one topic or one question that will be addressed. For
example, if a student’s research interests lie in special education they may choose a
thesis related to special education. A strong thesis statement regarding special
education is important because all research conducted will be related to that
statement. After the statement is formulated a conceptual framework will assist the
writer in creating an outline and agenda for the dissertation. A conceptual framework
assists the thesis writer in forming his or her hypothetical question, finding research
relevant to the question, answering the questions and forming a conclusion about the
hypothesis based on the research presented (Golden, 2014).
HYPOTHESIS
Hypothesis testing is the basic activity in all research. No scientist worth his salt will
base his research findings on mere hearsay, rumour or unsubstantiated facts. All research
begins from a point of uncertainty. The researcher may have been familiar with the problem
at hand through his professional activities and may wish to investigate on the possible ways
of solving the problem. The area of scientific investigating and the associated research
methodology is very wide. However, all research follows the scientific method; which
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Chapter 2 Literature review – Part 2 Theoretical framework, conceptual framework review and modelling
Yusuf H. Ebrahim
Research methodology textbook on assessing and appreciating the impact of urban built form on micro-
temperature change: Chapter preview
Page: 10 of 11
Chapter 2 Literature review – Part 2 Theoretical framework, conceptual framework review and modelling
Yusuf H. Ebrahim
Research methodology textbook on assessing and appreciating the impact of urban built form on micro-
temperature change: Chapter preview
A situation could arise where data is apparently similar in every respect. The
investigation could suspect on the face of the existing facts that there is no difference
between any two variables. He or she may then want to test this fact that there is no
difference. The negative statement when this is the case becomes:
Ho: There is a difference …
The corresponding alternative hypothesis is:
HA: There is no difference …
This means that in practice the null hypothesis need not contain negative wording.
The important thing is that a null hypothesis is always stated against the direction of the
concept that the researcher suspects, is true (King’oriah, 2004, pp.177 - 178).
REFERENCE LIST
Allen, R.E. (Ed.). (1985). The Oxford dictionary of current English. (7th ed.). Oxford:
Oxford University Press.
Charles, A. (2014). How to build a conceptual framework. Retrieved September 4, 2014
from http://www.ehow.com/info_8604436_build-conceptual-framework.html
Ebrahim, Y.H. (2018). Use of the Ebstats Software for bioclimatic analysis in tropical
countries: Micro-temperature change in relation to urban built form. Research Gate
Publications, May 2018 (Visit: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325216696).
Ebrahim, Y.H (2017). The effects of urban built form on micro-temperature change: A case
study of Komarock Infill ‘B’ Estate Nairobi. (Unpublished doctoral thesis). University of
Nairobi, Nairobi (Visit: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325214979).
Gardner, A.T. (2014). How to make a conceptual framework for a thesis. Retrieved
September 4, 2014 from http://www.ehow.com/how_8604436_build-conceptual-
framework.html
Golden, J. (2014). What is a conceptual framework for an educational thesis. Retrieved
August 31, 2014 from http://www.ehow.com/info_10017455_conceptual-framework-
educational-thesis.html
King’oriah, G.K. (2004). Fundamentals of applied statistics. Nairobi: The Jomo Kenyatta
Foundation.
Mugenda, A.G. (2011). Social science research, theory and principles. Nairobi: Applied
Research & Training Services (Arts Press).
Mugenda, O. & Mugenda, A. (2012). Research methods dictionary. Nairobi: Applied
Research & Training Services (Arts Press).
Steward, D. (2014). Difference between conceptual and theoretical framework. Retrieved
August 31, 2014 from http://www.ehow.com/info_8769890_difference-between-conceptual-
theoretical-framework.html
USC Libraries. (2014). Research Design. USC (University of South Carolina) Libraries:
Retrieved August 20, 2015 from www.library.sc.edu
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Chapter 2 Literature review – Part 2 Theoretical framework, conceptual framework review and modelling
Yusuf H. Ebrahim