Some new students (and experienced ones too) who have before them the preparation of a thesis, whether doctoral or academic , are faced with the greatest challenge of their professional career: that of defining the theoretical framework adequately.

I say adequately because most of the responsibility in elaborating a good research work, especially in those works where one’s most immediate future is at stake, will depend on how the theoretical framework, the backbone of every academic project, has been developed . We will now review some essential points to achieve this objective.

What is the theoretical framework and how is it defined?

Within the structure of a research work or thesis, the theoretical framework constitutes the central part of the study , located between the introduction or prologue and the conclusions and/or final assessments. In other words, the theoretical framework is the section where we will define the object of study well, and it should be in line with the theory we wanted to demonstrate.

This phase of the work must be carefully attended to, well analysed before it is put down on paper, and it must also be well explained to the reader, since it is the part that explains the point of view that is to be presented and the criteria to be followed in order to make correct use of the methodology.

The main function of the theoretical framework is to explain or develop what is known so far about a field of knowledge . In some cases, if a good outline of the theoretical framework is not made, this may invalidate our thesis definitively. This is usually the case simply because we do not know how to put into context what we are trying to say.

What is the purpose of this section?

The theoretical framework has to be the showcase with which we want to demonstrate and legitimize our case study. It has to be one of the two thesis sections designed to provide added value to our scientific work, to clearly resolve our final intention and to provide originality in the face of other studies already carried out (the second section is the development of our own research itself).

The theoretical framework will include the concepts that support the work to be able to go deeper into the subject of analysis or research, all of this to guide and direct the study from an innovative and different approach, giving it its own personality and setting it apart from possible similarities with previous works.

In this way, in the theoretical framework, the main ideas, the hypotheses with which we want to reinforce ourselves, will be ordered, quotes from authors to contrast or reinforce our thesis , and different variables that can affirm or refute a theory will be analysed, as well as contextualising the object of study to which we are dedicated.

How to develop the theoretical framework?

As we have pointed out before, the way in which this part is developed when dealing with the object of study is of the utmost importance. Mainly, the theoretical framework consists of the analysis of the background or theoretical considerations of the research topic , as well as a referential framework to approach our thesis.

This background is a review of previous work that will indirectly justify the development of our thesis. This point is another crucial element in determining whether our new work is of a novel approach and that it provides added value with respect to other research.

Depending on the type of work to be done, its nature, it is possible to develop the theoretical aspects that are chosen. That is to say, that depends on whether our thesis supposes the formulation of a new theory or concept , or whether it is exclusively about evolving a topic already addressed.

Essential considerations

It is decisive to know how to do and to shape the theoretical framework. This is not an easy task. Sometimes there is a tendency to copy ideas, to reformulate hypotheses or to emphasize an already defined concept. We must seek originality, excellence and novelty to impress the court or authors who will judge our work. To this end, all contributions from other authors must be duly referenced and appear in a justified manner, providing relevant knowledge about the object of study and its scope, and without changing the subject abruptly .

In the theoretical framework , coherence and order are essential , and we must feed it with bibliographical references to give consistency to our ideas and research. We can develop our idea by consulting different sources and using concepts, books and authors that allow us to enrich our study work.

When we make a compilation of all the information reflected in the theoretical framework, we must explain the reasons for its choice at the beginning of the document, although without providing a justification by source but a general one explaining the criteria for the selection of the bibliography. That is, to justify the use of the chosen authors, of the books consulted and of the methodology that will be followed to demonstrate our thesis, giving rise to debate and reasoning.