theoretical contribution thesis

• Privacy Policy

Home » Research Contribution – Thesis Guide

Research Contribution – Thesis Guide

Table of Contents

In academic research, particularly at the postgraduate level, the term “research contribution” signifies the unique value a study brings to its field. A well-defined research contribution is a critical component of a thesis, reflecting the originality and impact of the work. Whether theoretical, methodological, or practical, this contribution demonstrates the researcher’s ability to advance knowledge and address gaps in existing literature.

This guide explores the concept of research contribution in the context of thesis writing, offering insights into its definition, types, importance, and tips for articulating it effectively.

Research Contribution

Research contribution refers to the unique insights, findings, or innovations that a research study offers to its academic or practical field. It represents the value-added aspect of the research, distinguishing it from prior studies. Contributions can take various forms, such as introducing new theories, refining methodologies, or applying known concepts to novel contexts.

In the context of a thesis, the research contribution articulates how the study fills existing gaps, challenges established paradigms, or provides practical solutions to real-world problems. A clear and compelling contribution is a hallmark of high-quality research, ensuring its relevance and significance.

Types of Research Contribution

The contribution of a thesis can be categorized into several types, each serving a distinct purpose in advancing knowledge. Below are the key types of research contributions:

1. Theoretical Contribution

This type of contribution involves the development or refinement of theories, models, or conceptual frameworks. It often addresses gaps in theoretical knowledge or challenges existing assumptions.

• Proposing a new theory to explain consumer behavior in digital markets.
• Refining an existing psychological model to incorporate cross-cultural factors.
• Challenging established economic theories by providing evidence of exceptions.

2. Methodological Contribution

Methodological contributions introduce innovative research designs, data collection tools, or analytical techniques that enhance the rigor, efficiency, or applicability of research methods.

• Developing a novel data analysis algorithm for large datasets.
• Introducing a new survey instrument to measure emotional intelligence.
• Adapting existing research methods for use in marginalized communities.

3. Empirical Contribution

An empirical contribution provides new data or evidence that validates, refutes, or expands upon existing knowledge. It is particularly common in scientific, social, and business research.

• Conducting a longitudinal study to track climate change impacts over decades.
• Providing empirical evidence of the effectiveness of a new teaching strategy.
• Reporting original findings from experiments in medical research.

4. Practical Contribution

Practical contributions offer actionable solutions, policies, or tools that address real-world challenges. These contributions often bridge the gap between theory and application.

• Designing a cost-effective renewable energy solution for rural areas.
• Developing training programs for improving employee performance in industries.
• Recommending policy changes to address educational inequality.

5. Contextual Contribution

This type of contribution applies established theories or methods to novel or underexplored contexts, enriching the understanding of these areas.

• Studying the effects of globalization on remote indigenous communities.
• Applying psychological theories of motivation in virtual workspaces.
• Examining public health interventions in conflict zones.

Importance of Research Contribution in a Thesis

The research contribution is pivotal in demonstrating the originality, relevance, and impact of a thesis. Its importance includes:

• Establishing Novelty A clearly defined contribution showcases the originality of the study, setting it apart from previous work and justifying its necessity.
• Addressing Knowledge Gaps Contributions highlight how the research fills gaps in the literature, ensuring the study adds value to the academic discourse.
• Enhancing Credibility A well-articulated contribution reinforces the researcher’s credibility and expertise, strengthening the thesis’s academic merit.
• Fulfilling Academic Requirements Many universities and academic institutions emphasize the importance of a significant contribution as a criterion for awarding advanced degrees.
• Guiding Future Research By identifying contributions, the study provides a foundation for future researchers to build upon, promoting ongoing exploration and innovation.

Steps to Identify and Articulate Research Contribution

Identifying and articulating the research contribution is a structured process that requires critical thinking and a clear understanding of the research’s context. Below are key steps to achieve this:

1. Review the Literature

• Conduct a thorough literature review to identify existing gaps, unresolved questions, or limitations in previous studies.
• Pay attention to recurring themes, debates, and areas requiring further investigation.

2. Define Research Objectives

• Clearly articulate the goals of your study, ensuring they align with the identified gaps or limitations.
• Focus on how your research addresses a specific need or challenge.

3. Analyze Your Findings

• Reflect on your results to determine how they add value to the field.
• Consider whether your findings validate, contradict, or expand existing knowledge.

4. Highlight Innovation

• Identify unique aspects of your methodology, theoretical approach, or contextual application.
• Emphasize any new tools, frameworks, or perspectives introduced by your research.

5. Align with Field Requirements

• Tailor your contribution to meet the expectations and standards of your academic discipline.
• Consider the practical implications or theoretical advancements valued by your field.

6. Write a Dedicated Section

• Include a section in your thesis explicitly discussing the research contribution.
• Use clear and concise language to articulate its significance and impact.

Examples of Research Contributions in a Thesis

1. example in social sciences.

• Research Objective: To study the impact of social media on youth political engagement.
• Contribution: Developing a framework that links social media usage patterns to political participation levels among young adults.

2. Example in Engineering

• Research Objective: To design a more efficient solar panel for urban use.
• Contribution: Introducing a novel material that increases energy absorption by 15% compared to existing technologies.

3. Example in Healthcare

• Research Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a new therapy for anxiety disorders.
• Contribution: Providing empirical evidence from a randomized controlled trial showing the therapy’s superiority over traditional treatments.

4. Example in Business

• Research Objective: To analyze consumer behavior in response to dynamic pricing strategies.
• Contribution: Offering a predictive model that enables businesses to optimize pricing based on real-time demand.

Common Challenges and Solutions

1. challenge: difficulty in identifying gaps.

Solution: Expand your literature review to include recent studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses.

2. Challenge: Struggling to Demonstrate Originality

Solution: Focus on unique angles, such as new contexts, populations, or interdisciplinary approaches.

3. Challenge: Articulating Contribution Clearly

Solution: Use precise and concise language, avoiding vague statements. Provide concrete examples to support your claims.

The research contribution is a cornerstone of any thesis, encapsulating the study’s originality and impact. By thoroughly reviewing the literature, defining clear objectives, and analyzing findings, researchers can identify and articulate their contributions effectively. Whether theoretical, methodological, empirical, practical, or contextual, each type of contribution plays a vital role in advancing knowledge and addressing real-world challenges. A well-crafted discussion of the research contribution not only enhances the quality of the thesis but also establishes the researcher’s credibility and expertise.

• Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches . Sage Publications.
• Yin, R. K. (2017). Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods . Sage Publications.
• Bryman, A. (2016). Social Research Methods . Oxford University Press.
• Booth, W. C., Colomb, G. G., & Williams, J. M. (2016). The Craft of Research . University of Chicago Press.
• Silverman, D. (2020). Qualitative Research . Sage Publications.

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

You may also like

Thesis Outline – Example, Template and Writing...

Research Paper Format – Types, Examples and...

Thesis Format – Templates and Samples

Dissertation Methodology – Structure, Example...

Survey Instruments – List and Their Uses

Research Paper Title – Writing Guide and Example

How are theoretical contributions written? Some samples with illustrations.

Whetten (1989) elucidated in his paper in the academy of management that theoretical contribution or development is not aimed to rewrite the same phenomenon but to search new knowledge/findings (can be a mediator or moderator or new antecedent) having logical justification. It can be Whys, Whats, and Hows? So when we find a new relationship between the constructs which has not been explored in preceding studies, the next step is to explain why such a relationship exists.

Figure I what is the theoretical contribution

For example, in Figure 2 You may witness that the second sentence says the relationship between IL (inclusive leadership) and creativity has been studied (Javed et al. 2019); however, the relationship between IL and innovative work behavior (IWB) is new in the literature. The second and third sentences support the above relationship with reasons and justifications. Next, the authors compare the finding with previous studies.

Figure II an example from the papers

Another example of a theoretical contribution taken from the journal of Business ethics (Wang, Zhang, and Jia 2019) first reveals that CSR (corporate social responsibility has been for the first time linked with employees’ voices. However, strategic management research or past management studies mostly focus on or connect CSR with company performance. After that, the authors have cited various past studies. The contribution ends with an explanation and confirms that CSR can influence two kinds of employee voice. The last sentence reveals why this finding is significant.

Figure III an example from JBE

Another example is taken from the journal of sustainable tourism. It explicates that this is the first study that has investigated the green creativity phenomenon in the tourism industry. However, figure four indicates that ESSL has impact on green creativity, which is a theoretical contribution in the context of the tourism industry. Next, the comparison between two leadership styles are elaborated in the paragraph.

Figure IV theoretical contribution from JOST

Figure V Contribution from JBE

The picture is taken from the Tourism Management journal (Mittal and Dhar 2016)

Figure five presents a much simpler and shortest approach to writing the theoretical contribution in the research papers. It just elucidates and explains the relationships with no details and past literature. It seems the journal has different criteria for theoretical contributions.

Different journals and authors have different approaches to writing theoretical contributions. My learning suggests that relationships between the constructs should be new (novel), with strong theoretical justification and explanation (why), and the authors also have the responsibility to guide the reviewers that what has been done in past and how your relationship is different and fitted there.

Your opinion and experience is always solicited and would add to our knowledge.

The Author is a Ph.D. scholar in HRM and can be reached at the following addresses.

Tahseen Ahemd Bhutto

Wechat: tahaeenahmed

Whatsap: +92 313 1012 386

References:

Javed, Basharat, Sayyed Muhammad Mehdi Raza Naqvi, Abdul Karim Khan, Surendra Arjoon, and Hafiz Habib Tayyeb. 2019. “Impact of Inclusive Leadership on Innovative Work Behavior: The Role of Psychological Safety.” Journal of Management and Organization 25 (1): 117–36. https://doi.org/10.1017/jmo.2017.3 .

Mittal, Swati, and Rajib Lochan Dhar. 2016. “Effect of Green Transformational Leadership on Green Creativity: A Study of Tourist Hotels.” Tourism Management 57: 118–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2016.05.007 .

Wang, Juan, Zhe Zhang, and Ming Jia. 2019. “Echoes of Corporate Social Responsibility: How and When Does CSR Influence Employees’ Promotive and Prohibitive Voices?” Journal of Business Ethics , no. March. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-019-04151-6 .

Whetten, David A. 1989. “What Constitutes a Theoretical Contribution?” Academy Management Review 14 (4): 490–95. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.1989.4308371 .

Share this:

Published by

Tahseen ahmed bhutto.

PhD Scholar at University of Finance and Economics View all posts by Tahseen Ahmed Bhutto

Leave a comment Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

• Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
• Subscribe Subscribed
• Copy shortlink
• Report this content
• View post in Reader
• Manage subscriptions
• Collapse this bar

How To Write A Theoretical Research Paper – Tips & Examples

Writing a theoretical research paper might seem tough, but it’s a great way to share your ideas and discoveries. This guide will show you step-by-step how to plan, write, and share your thoughts through a strong research paper.

We’ll give you tips on how to build a clear framework and how to explain your thoughts clearly. You’ll also see examples that help make everything easier to understand.

Whether you’re a student or a researcher, these tips will help you write a paper that’s well-organized and full of good information. Let’s get started and learn how to create a great research paper!

How To Write A Theoretical Research Paper

What is theoretical research.

Theoretical research might sound daunting, but once you dive into its essence, it is simple.

In theoretical research, you focus on creating and exploring theories, models, and frameworks to understand and explain phenomena.

As you do this, you may not necessarily rely on direct observation or data collection.

In theoretical research, everything begins with a hypothesis. This hypothesis acts as a springboard for developing a complete theoretical framework. 

In the context of a research paper, especially in the social sciences, this type of research does not involve direct interaction with the subject of study. Instead, it focuses on the analysis of the research problem through a conceptual lens.

This lens is crafted from existing theory and literature review, which guides the research process meticulously.

The framework you’ve chosen essentially acts as a map, outlining the research questions and the methodology to explore these questions without the immediate need for empirical data.

One might wonder about the practical applications of such research. Theoretical models are not just abstract concepts; they are used to help develop practical solutions and interventions.

In psychology, a theoretical model might be applied to periods of significant social change to predict outcomes and suggest interventions.

Theoretical research can seem isolated from real-world applications, yet it serves as the foundation upon which more practical, or empirical research builds.

Without it, the structure of science would lack depth and fail to reach the heights of innovation and discovery that we see today.

Theoretical vs Empirical Research

Aside from theoretical research, theres also another type of research – empirical. Understanding the differences may help you significantly.

Theoretical research delves deep into concepts and abstracts. Here, you build your study around existing theories, crafting a theoretical framework that drives your inquiry.

In the social sciences, this could mean developing a new hypothesis on the dynamics of social change based on key social science theories from literature.

The theoretical framework serves not just as a guide but as a lens through which you examine your research problem. It’s crafted from thorough literature reviews and is often enriched by engaging with the philosophy of research.

This framework outlines key variables and the relationships among them, setting the stage for potential validation or challenge through empirical methods.

On the other hand, empirical research demands direct interaction with the subject matter through data collection. 

Empirical research seeks to validate the theories posited by your theoretical framework. Here, the focus shifts to practical applications and direct observations, providing concrete answers to your research questions.

Both research types are vital, each feeding into the other:

• Theoretical research frames the questions and potential explanations, while
• Empirical research tests these frameworks against reality. 

Together, they form the complete cycle of the research process, crucial for any scholarly research project.

Writing a theoretical research paper can seem daunting, but with the right approach, you can tackle this intellectually stimulating task with confidence. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Understand Your Research Problem

Your journey begins with a deep understanding of the research problem you are investigating.

This involves identifying the gaps in existing literature and pinpointing the areas that require further exploration. You may want to spend some time reading around, or use AI tools to help simplifying your reading process.

Engage with key theories and recent studies to sharpen your focus. The research problem forms the nucleus of your paper, guiding every subsequent step.

Step 2: Develop a Robust Theoretical Framework

Constructing a theoretical framework is crucial. This framework is the scaffolding of your research, supporting your entire study.

It consists of concepts and theories borrowed from existing literature and uniquely integrated to address your research problem.

Remember, a strong framework not only guides your analysis but also helps explain the relationships among key variables in your study.

Step 3: Literature Review

Your literature review should do more than summarize existing research; it should critically engage with current theories and frameworks, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses.

This section is not just a backdrop; it’s an active participant in shaping your research narrative. Organize it into a logical framework that systematically addresses the research questions posed by your study.

Literature review used to take a long time to complete. With the right tools however, things can be a lot easier:

Step 4: Outline Your Research Design

While theoretical research does not involve empirical data collection, the design of your research is still paramount. Detail the methods you use to construct your theoretical framework.

Discuss the “theory-building research methods” that you applied, such as conceptual analysis or deductive reasoning, which help clarify and test the theoretical assumptions of your study.

Step 5: Develop the Theory or Conceptual Framework

Here’s where you get to argue your point. Present your theoretical or conceptual contributions. Build upon previous research but introduce your innovative perspective.

Support each argument with robust reasoning, examples from pertinent research, and references to foundational texts.

This is also where you validate or challenge theoretical assumptions, demonstrating the novelty and relevance of your framework.

Step 6: Hypothetical Scenarios or Thought Experiments

Illustrate your concepts through hypothetical scenarios or thought experiments.

These are essential for demonstrating how your theoretical model applies to real-world situations or specific periods, even if your paper is purely conceptual.

This step is particularly engaging, as it transforms abstract concepts into tangible insights.

Step 7: Discussion

Analyse the implications of your theoretical developments. How do they: 

• Impact existing theories? or
• What do they mean for future research? 

This part of your paper is crucial for engaging with the scholarly community. It’s where you:

• interpret your findings,
• discuss their significance, and
• propose how they can guide future empirical or theoretical research.

Step 8: Craft Your Discussion Section

The discussion section is your chance to dive deep into the analysis of your theoretical propositions.

Evaluate the strengths and limitations of your framework, discuss its potential applications, and how it challenges or supports existing paradigms.

This section is not just a summary; it’s an insightful discourse that positions your research within the broader academic conversation.

Step 9: Concluding Thoughts

Summarize the key elements of your research, reinforcing the significance of your findings and their implications for further study.

Restate the research problem and reflect on how your work addresses it effectively.

Here, you tie all the sections together, reinforcing the coherence and impact of your theoretical investigation.

Step 10: Reference Section

No academic paper is complete without a thorough reference section. List all the sources you’ve cited throughout your paper.

This is crucial for academic integrity and allows other researchers to trace your intellectual journey. Make sure your referencing follows the specific style guide recommended by your field or university.

There are many AI tools that can help with references , so make sure you leverage technology to help you here.

By following these steps, you ensure that your theoretical research paper is not only structurally sound but also intellectually robust and poised to make a significant contribution to academic knowledge.

Remember, a well-crafted theoretical paper influences ongoing debates and paves the way for new inquiries and methodologies in the field.

Tips When Writing A Theoretical Research Paper

If you are looking to start writing your first theoretical research paper, here are some tips to help make the process easier:

Establish a Robust Theoretical Framework

Your research should start with a solid theoretical framework that consists of concepts and theories relevant to the research problem you are investigating.

If your topic concerns social media’s influence on mental health, you might integrate theories from psychology and communications. This framework not only shapes your study but also helps to interpret your findings.

Conduct a Thorough Literature Review

Dive deep into existing theory and scholarly research, examining studies that both support and contradict your hypothesis.

This comprehensive review not only furnishes you with a nuanced understanding of your topic but also positions your research within the broader academic conversation. 

Formulate Clear Research Questions

Theoretical research thrives on well-defined research questions. These questions should be rooted in the theoretical framework you’ve chosen and aim to explore the key variables and their relationships in your study.

Precision here will guide your entire research process, ensuring that every part of your paper contributes toward answering these questions.

Choose Appropriate Research Methods

Deciding on the right research methods is crucial. Ensure that the techniques you select align well with your theoretical assumptions and research questions, whether you opt for:

• qualitative research,
• intervention research, or
• a mixed methods approach, 

This alignment is necessary to gather valid and reliable data that supports or challenges your theoretical model.

Apply a Conceptual Framework If Needed

Sometimes, a single theoretical framework may not suffice, especially in interdisciplinary research. In such cases, developing a conceptual framework that integrates multiple theories could be more effective.

This approach was applied in a study about the educational split between Southern and Northern Sudan, where political science and educational theory provided a richer understanding of the regional disparities.

Discuss Methodology Transparently

When you write the discussion part of your paper, be transparent about your methodology. Explaining the meaning behind your choice of research design and how it’s used for your particular study adds credibility to your work.

It shows that your research methods and theoretical foundation are not just arbitrarily chosen but are thoughtfully aligned with the overall objectives of your research.

Interpret Results Within the Theoretical Framework

Finally, when presenting your results, always relate them back to the theoretical framework you set out with.

This not only reinforces the relevance of your findings within the academic field but also helps in validating or challenging theoretical assumptions. 

It’s here in the discussion section where you can engage deeply with the framework, proposing modifications or confirming its validity based on your findings.

Theoretical Research Paper: Not Rocket Science

Writing a theoretical research paper requires a meticulous blend of theory, critical thinking, and structured methodology.

By following the outlined steps, from developing a strong theoretical framework to effectively discussing your findings, you equip yourself with the tools to produce insightful and scholarly work.

Remember, the strength of your paper lies in how well you can integrate theory with your analytical insights, paving the way for further research and contributing to your field’s body of knowledge.

Dr Andrew Stapleton has a Masters and PhD in Chemistry from the UK and Australia. He has many years of research experience and has worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Associate at a number of Universities. Although having secured funding for his own research, he left academia to help others with his YouTube channel all about the inner workings of academia and how to make it work for you.

Thank you for visiting Academia Insider.

We are here to help you navigate Academia as painlessly as possible. We are supported by our readers and by visiting you are helping us earn a small amount through ads and affiliate revenue - Thank you!

2024 © Academia Insider

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, automatically generate references for free.

• Knowledge Base
• Dissertation

What is a Theoretical Framework? | A Step-by-Step Guide

Published on 14 February 2020 by Shona McCombes . Revised on 10 October 2022.

A theoretical framework is a foundational review of existing theories that serves as a roadmap for developing the arguments you will use in your own work.

Theories are developed by researchers to explain phenomena, draw connections, and make predictions. In a theoretical framework, you explain the existing theories that support your research, showing that your work is grounded in established ideas.

In other words, your theoretical framework justifies and contextualises your later research, and it’s a crucial first step for your research paper , thesis, or dissertation . A well-rounded theoretical framework sets you up for success later on in your research and writing process.

Make your writing flawless in 1 upload

Be assured that you'll submit flawless writing. Upload your document to correct all your mistakes.

Table of contents

Why do you need a theoretical framework, how to write a theoretical framework, structuring your theoretical framework, example of a theoretical framework, frequently asked questions about theoretical frameworks.

Before you start your own research, it’s crucial to familiarise yourself with the theories and models that other researchers have already developed. Your theoretical framework is your opportunity to present and explain what you’ve learned, situated within your future research topic.

There’s a good chance that many different theories about your topic already exist, especially if the topic is broad. In your theoretical framework, you will evaluate, compare, and select the most relevant ones.

By “framing” your research within a clearly defined field, you make the reader aware of the assumptions that inform your approach, showing the rationale behind your choices for later sections, like methodology and discussion . This part of your dissertation lays the foundations that will support your analysis, helping you interpret your results and make broader generalisations .

• In literature , a scholar using postmodernist literary theory would analyse The Great Gatsby differently than a scholar using Marxist literary theory.
• In psychology , a behaviourist approach to depression would involve different research methods and assumptions than a psychoanalytic approach.
• In economics , wealth inequality would be explained and interpreted differently based on a classical economics approach than based on a Keynesian economics one.

The only proofreading tool specialized in correcting academic writing

The academic proofreading tool has been trained on 1000s of academic texts and by native English editors. Making it the most accurate and reliable proofreading tool for students.

Upload my document

To create your own theoretical framework, you can follow these three steps:

• Identifying your key concepts
• Evaluating and explaining relevant theories
• Showing how your research fits into existing research

1. Identify your key concepts

The first step is to pick out the key terms from your problem statement and research questions . Concepts often have multiple definitions, so your theoretical framework should also clearly define what you mean by each term.

To investigate this problem, you have identified and plan to focus on the following problem statement, objective, and research questions:

Problem : Many online customers do not return to make subsequent purchases.

Objective : To increase the quantity of return customers.

Research question : How can the satisfaction of company X’s online customers be improved in order to increase the quantity of return customers?

2. Evaluate and explain relevant theories

By conducting a thorough literature review , you can determine how other researchers have defined these key concepts and drawn connections between them. As you write your theoretical framework, your aim is to compare and critically evaluate the approaches that different authors have taken.

After discussing different models and theories, you can establish the definitions that best fit your research and justify why. You can even combine theories from different fields to build your own unique framework if this better suits your topic.

Make sure to at least briefly mention each of the most important theories related to your key concepts. If there is a well-established theory that you don’t want to apply to your own research, explain why it isn’t suitable for your purposes.

3. Show how your research fits into existing research

Apart from summarising and discussing existing theories, your theoretical framework should show how your project will make use of these ideas and take them a step further.

You might aim to do one or more of the following:

• Test whether a theory holds in a specific, previously unexamined context
• Use an existing theory as a basis for interpreting your results
• Critique or challenge a theory
• Combine different theories in a new or unique way

A theoretical framework can sometimes be integrated into a literature review chapter , but it can also be included as its own chapter or section in your dissertation. As a rule of thumb, if your research involves dealing with a lot of complex theories, it’s a good idea to include a separate theoretical framework chapter.

There are no fixed rules for structuring your theoretical framework, but it’s best to double-check with your department or institution to make sure they don’t have any formatting guidelines. The most important thing is to create a clear, logical structure. There are a few ways to do this:

• Draw on your research questions, structuring each section around a question or key concept
• Organise by theory cluster
• Organise by date

As in all other parts of your research paper , thesis, or dissertation , make sure to properly cite your sources to avoid plagiarism .

To get a sense of what this part of your thesis or dissertation might look like, take a look at our full example .

While a theoretical framework describes the theoretical underpinnings of your work based on existing research, a conceptual framework allows you to draw your own conclusions, mapping out the variables you may use in your study and the interplay between them.

A literature review and a theoretical framework are not the same thing and cannot be used interchangeably. While a theoretical framework describes the theoretical underpinnings of your work, a literature review critically evaluates existing research relating to your topic. You’ll likely need both in your dissertation .

A theoretical framework can sometimes be integrated into a  literature review chapter , but it can also be included as its own chapter or section in your dissertation . As a rule of thumb, if your research involves dealing with a lot of complex theories, it’s a good idea to include a separate theoretical framework chapter.

A literature review is a survey of scholarly sources (such as books, journal articles, and theses) related to a specific topic or research question .

It is often written as part of a dissertation , thesis, research paper , or proposal .

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the ‘Cite this Scribbr article’ button to automatically add the citation to our free Reference Generator.

McCombes, S. (2022, October 10). What is a Theoretical Framework? | A Step-by-Step Guide. Scribbr. Retrieved 29 November 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/thesis-dissertation/the-theoretical-framework/

Is this article helpful?

Shona McCombes

Other students also liked, what is a literature review | guide, template, & examples, how to write a results section | tips & examples, how to write a discussion section | tips & examples.

Contributing to theory: opportunities and challenges

• Published: 16 March 2020
• Volume 10 , pages 49–55, ( 2020 )

Cite this article

• Jay B. Barney   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-0875-6702 1  

4105 Accesses

6 Citations

6 Altmetric

Explore all metrics

Scholars looking to make original theoretical contributions typically must address at least three challenges: Defining what constitutes an original theoretical contribution, positioning a paper in ongoing theoretical conversations, and critiquing prior published work. Based on experiences at the Academy of Management Review, approaches for addressing these challenges are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Subscribe and save.

• Get 10 units per month
• Download Article/Chapter or eBook
• 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
• Cancel anytime

Price excludes VAT (USA) Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Rent this article via DeepDyve

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Scholarship with Wisdom: An Introduction

The burgeoning role of literature review articles in management research: an introduction and outlook

What type of paper are you writing? A taxonomy of review and theory scholarship distinguished by their summary and advocacy arguments

The Academy of Management also publishes two journals that focus on empirical papers—the Academy of Management Journal and the Academy of Management Discoveries —and one journal that focuses on academic essays—the Academy of Management Perspectives . Editorial statements for each of the Academy of Management journals can be found on the Academy of Management website.

How the “problematization” process has unfolded, and is continuing to unfold, in the field of strategic management is discussed by Mahoney and Qian ( 2013 ). A survey reported in Bartunek et al. ( 2006 ) identifies 17 articles that were nominated as “interesting” by two or more AMJ review board members in a survey conducted in the fall of 2004. These 17 articles may be examples of “revolutionary science.”

www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/07-why-stephen-king-spends-months-or-even-years-writing-opening-sentences/278043/ accessed March 19, 2019.

That a paper should have only one main research question does not mean that a paper can have only one research proposition. It does mean that the multiple propositions in a paper must all speak to multiple dimensions of a single research question. Also, a single research question may have multiple parts that must be addressed if the implications of answering that question are to be fully resolved.

Sometimes it is possible to introduce a second or even third research question in the discussion section of the paper. However, typically, the main purpose of including these research questions in the discussion is to call for additional research.

“Exhaustive” can also be read as “exhausting.”

There should be no cheating—no micro-fonts and no quarter-inch margins.

Alvesson, M., & Sandberg, J. (2011). Generating research questions through problematization. Academy of Management Review, 36 , 247–271.

Google Scholar  

Barney, J. B. (2018a). Editor’s comments: Theory contributions and the AMR review process. Academy of Management Review, 43 , 1–4.

Article   Google Scholar  

Barney, J. B. (2018b). Editor’s comments: Positioning a theory paper for publication. Academy of Management Review, 43 (3), 345–348.

Barney, J. B. (2020a). Positioning papers for publication. In T. Clark, M. Wright, & D. Ketchen (Eds.), How to get published in the best Management Journals (2nd ed.). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.

Barney, J. B. (2020b). Editor’s comments: Publishing dialogue papers in AMR . Forthcoming.

Bartunek, J. M., Rynes, S. L., & Ireland, R. D. (2006). What makes management research interesting? Academy of Management Journal, 49 , 9–15.

Busse, C., Kach, A., & Wagner, S. (2017). Boundary conditions: What are they, how to explore them, why we need them, and when to consider them. Organizational Research Methods, 20 , 574–609.

Corley, K., & Gioia, D. (2011). Building a theory about theory building: What constitutes a theoretical contribution? Academy of Management Review, 36 , 12–32.

Davis, M. (1971). That’s interesting! Towards a phenomenology of sociology and a sociology of phenomenology. Philosophy and Social Science, 1 , 309–344.

Fulmer, I. S. (2012). Editor’s comments: The craft of writing theory articles—Variety and similarity in AMR. Academy of Management Review, 37 , 327–331.

Hitt, M., & Smith, K. (2005). Introduction: The process of developing management theory. In K. Smith & M. Hitt (Eds.), Great minds in management (pp. 1–8). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Huff, A. (1999). Writing for scholarly publication. Thousand oaks, CA: Sage. Ragins, R. 2012. Editor’s comments: Reflections on the craft of clear writing. Academy of Management Review, 37 : 493–501.

Kuhn, T. S. (1962). The structure of scientific revolutions . Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Mahoney, J., & Qian, L. (2013). Market frictions as building blocks of an organizational economics approach to strategic management. Strategic Management Journal, 34 , 1019–1041.

Ragins, B.R. (2012). Editor's Comments: Reflections on the Craft of Clear Writing. Academy of Management Review, 37 (4):493–501.

Smith, K., & Hitt, M. (Eds.). (2005). Great minds in management . Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Suddaby, R. (2010). Editor’s comments: Construct clarity in theories of management and organization. Academy of Management Review, 35 , 346–358.

Weick, K. (1989). Theory construction as disciplined imagination. Academy of Management Review, 14 , 516–531.

Whetten, D. (1989). What constitutes a theoretical contribution? Academy of Management Review, 14 , 490–495.

Wright, M., Ketchen, D., & Clark, T. (Eds.). (2020). How to get published in the best management journals (2nd ed.). Northampton: Elgar.

Download references

Author information

Authors and affiliations.

Academy of Management Review, Eccles School of Business, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA

Jay B. Barney

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jay B. Barney .

Additional information

Publisher’s note.

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Barney, J.B. Contributing to theory: opportunities and challenges. AMS Rev 10 , 49–55 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13162-020-00163-y

Download citation

Received : 20 November 2019

Accepted : 14 February 2020

Published : 16 March 2020

Issue Date : June 2020

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/s13162-020-00163-y

Share this article

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:

Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article.

Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative

• Theory development
• Theoretical contributions
• Positioning papers
• Find a journal
• Publish with us
• Track your research