Table 1

Characteristics of theoretical and conceptual frameworks7

Characteristic	Theoretical framework	Conceptual framework
Development	Draws on literature reviewed/data collected/pre-existing theories	Draws on several concepts/theories and is further developed by researcher
Purpose/rationale	Identify study variables/concepts Directs methodological approach (methodology, target population and related sample, data collection and analysis methods) Underpins data collection/interpretation	Identify study variables/concepts Directs methodological approach (methodology, target population and related sample, data collection and analysis methods) Underpins data collection/ interpretation, where there is no existent dominant theoretical perspective Informs future research
Status in thesis	Application of a whole or part of a theory	Synthesis of pertinent concepts
Related literature review process	Mostly deductive, hypothesis testing to verify/ascertain the ‘power’ of a theory for a given population/context	Mostly inductive, recognising not all issues can be studied effectively by drawing on one theory/approach Theories in whole or part may be used to position the research
Related methodological approach of study	Predominantly quantitative methods, using experimental designs, questionnaires and tests.	Qualitative or quantitative and increasingly mixed methods, using questionnaires, interview and observation methods
Generalisability/transferability of study outcomes	Application can often reach beyond thesis focus	Application is usually more limited to the thesis focus