Writing the research report: Understanding what theory means

WE continue our discussion on major parts of a research paper, this week, on what a theory is, preliminary to discussing the theoretical and conceptual frameworks of a research study. In my experience, establishing these frameworks seems to be very challenging to our students. Perhaps it is best to have students understand during coursework what exactly “theory” means. Not that our students have lesser minds than us their forbears.

Perhaps because theory and theoretical frameworks are so associated with their research paper, and their preoccupation of the hurdles they have to come up with this capstone on time for their graduation, their minds get clouded about what theory or theories mean.