The Scenario
A student’s dissertation I recently reviewed raised an interesting research question. Assume it was: What drives employee engagement in virtual teams? The introduction laid out the research problem, purpose and questions, and the literature review explored relevant studies. But something important was missing. There was no mention of a research/conceptual framework in these opening chapters. It could have been written as a work-related report for an organisation. In short, it was not scholarly.
The term framework appeared first in Chapter 3, buried as an afterthought under details in the methodology. There was no theoretical or conceptual framework guiding the structure of the study. The omission weakened the coherence of the entire dissertation as there was no theoretical anchor.
The Issue
The conceptual or theoretical framework is the foundation of a dissertation. It links the research problem to the literature and provides a lens through which the study is structured, operationalised, and analysed. It is stated at a high level in the introduction chapter. It is used to guide the research questions and objectives, and expanded upon in the literature review. It guides aspects of the research’s methodology and the analysis, interpretation, and conclusions. When introduced late—or not at all—it undermines the study’s clarity and purpose. Readers (and examiners) cannot understand how the framework shapes the research from start to end.
The Solution
Introduce and integrate the conceptual framework early in the document to ensure a strong and cohesive dissertation. Here’s how:
- Position the framework in Chapter 1: Briefly mention the conceptual framework in the introduction. Explain its relevance and how it will shape your study. Example: “This study is guided by [Framework Name], which provides the structure for understanding [specific focus].”
- Develop it in Chapter 2: Expand on the framework in the literature review. Discuss its origins, core concepts, their relationships, and why it’s appropriate for your research. Show how it connects to the problem and aligns with existing studies.
- Apply it consistently in all the other chapters: Reference the framework throughout your dissertation. In your methodology, explain how the framework guides your data collection and analysis. In your discussion, interpret your findings through the lens of the framework.
The Key Takeaway
A strong research/conceptual framework is the backbone of a well-structured dissertation. Introduce and integrate it early throughout your study to ensure alignment and coherence. You may think of the framework as a compass—without it, your research risks losing direction or as a golden thread which binds every dissertation chapter into a scholarly whole.