KEYS TO FRAMING YOUR RESEARCH

KEYS TO FRAMING YOUR RESEARCH

THE OVERARCHING PREMISE A solid review of the literature, whether stand alone or as the introduction to an empirical study, is STEP ONE in preparing a publishable manuscript or grounding a viable program of research

WHY DOES THE THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK MATTER? • Demonstrates your command of the literature • Establishes an integrated view of the factors or constructs of interest • Points out the importance of the questions you ask • Guides the methodology and data analysis • Serves as the platform for conclusions and implications

COMMAND OF THE LITERATURE • Immerse yourself in the literature THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR BREADTH OF UNDERSTANDING OF THE CONSTRUCTS, TOPICS, AND DOMAINS UNDER EXAMINATION • Consider the classic and foundational, as well as contemporary, works THERE IS MORE TO THE LITERATURE THAN THE LAST FIVE YEARS

COMMAND OF THE LITERATURE • Look to related fields and disciplines for insights THE ROOTS OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH ARE DIVERSE AND THE DIVERSITY CAN PROVE INVALUABLE • Be clear and precise in your language use ENSURE THAT YOUR KEY CONSTRUCTS, VARIABLES, AND TERMINOLOGY ARE EXPLICITLY DEFINED IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH THE LITERATURE

COMMAND OF THE LITERATURE • Come at the literature with an open mind THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RESEARCH AND PERSUASION; BETWEEN EMPIRICAL RESEARCH AND OPINION PIECES • Keep the purpose of the manuscript in mind YOUR ROLE IS NOT TO SUBSTANTIATE, PROVE, OR ACCEPT, BUT TO EXPLORE, DISPROVE, AND QUESTION

INTEGRATED VIEW • A theoretical framework is a cohesive and integrated look at the factors or constructs under study ELEMENTS THAT COME TOGETHER IN THE INVESTIGATION MUST ALSO COME TOGETHER IN THE EXAMINATION OF THE LITERATURE • Any factor, construct, or process incorporated in the analysis must be woven into the framework THE THEORETICAL FRAME FORESHADOWS THE METHODOLOGY IN A SYSTEMATIC WAY

IMPORTANCE OF THE QUESTION • There must be a compelling reason for any study YOUR PERSONAL INTERESTS, PASSIONS, OR BELIEFS ARE NOT A SUFFICIENT JUSTIFICATION • Just noting that something has not been done or done often is not a theoretical argument for engaging in research THERE MUST BE GOOD THEORETICAL REASON THAT AN ISSUE, POPULATION, OR MEASURE NEEDS TO BE EXPLORED

IMPORTANCE OF THE QUESTION • The question needs to be posed in an answerable manner WORDING OF THE QUESTION SHOULD INDICATE THE GENERAL GOAL OF THE STUDY AND RELATIONS EXAMINED • The language of a question should suggest the approach to analysis LANGUAGE SUGGESTING CAUSALITY, PREDICTION, RELATIVE CONTRIBUTIONS, OR COMPARISON SHOULD BE ALIGNED WITH SUITABLE ANALYSES

METHODOLOGICAL AND DATA ANALYTIC GUIDE • The linkages between theoretical framing and the choice of participants, measures, and procedures should be transparent THERE SHOULD BE NO METHODOLOGICAL OR ANALYTIC SURPRISES • It is important to avoid the shortcomings of prior investigations THERE IS LITTLE POINT IN REVISITING THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT LED TO THE GAPS OR AMBIGUITIES IN THE FIRST PLACE

PLATFORM FOR CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS • Come full circle to the issues and concerns that initially compelled the study TIE THE RESULTS BACK TO THE LITERATURE MAKING IT EASIER TO HIGHLIGHT THE CONTRIBUTIONS • Frame the study with the next study in mind SINCE NO STUDY IS PERFECT OR ALL-ENCOMPASSING, LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN TO THE NEXT INVESTIGATION

WHAT MAKES FOR A GOOD CLOSING SECTION? • Reiterates the purpose(s) of the research • Acknowledges any limitations of the study • Restates what was learned and why that matters • Entails a concise summary; not a revisiting the results • Stays within the boundaries of the actual data; does not overreach • Makes reasonable speculations or explores alternatives avenues for future inquiry • Ends meaningfully and thoughtfully in a well-crafted closing paragraph

KEYS TO FRAMING YOUR RESEARCH