Abstract:

Every well-structured piece of research needs to be based on a well-supported rationale, thus it needs to be linked to theory and evidence. After observations, preliminary data gathering, and identification of the research problem or gap researchers normally turn to theory and develop a theoretical framework.

Understanding the difference between the theoretical and conceptual framework, as well as the theoretical and conceptual model often causes concern to students. For students, who are new to research it is difficult to understand the essence of both frameworks especially because of the various and sometimes contradictory descriptions available in the literature. There is uncertainty as to what they mean, how they are different and how they are similar, and which one is more appropriate to the specific type of research piece. In practice, the theoretical framework is one of the more infamous components of a thesis.

The aim of this paper is twofold. First, it aims to identify the essence of the above-mentioned frameworks and models and their potential contribution to research, second, it shares experiences in teaching research methodology and the application of the theoretical and conceptual frameworks and models.

The article presents the results of ethnographic observation and experience in teaching research methodology to master and Ph.D. students at an accredited University in Latvia for five years and applying research problem conceptualisation activity in the early stages of the research process. The main differences and similarities between the terms theoretical and conceptual framework and model as well as the process of reconfiguration of the conceptual model into the theoretical model are discussed. The analysed qualitative data include students’ feedback about the activity. The results show that the main gains of this approach and conceptualisation activity in the early stage of the research are related to the clarification of the research topic, it indicates which theories to analyse in the Theoretical part and allows choosing the theoretical lens for the research, moreover, it reduces the level of stress for students at the early stage of a research journey.

Keywords:

Research methodology, conceptual model, theoretical model, conceptual framework, theoretical framework.