Theoretical Framework
Most research is founded on a question. The researcher or writer of the report not only questions, but ponders and develops thoughts or theories on what the possible answers could be. These thoughts and theories are then grouped together into themes that frame the subject. This is what is known as a theoretical framework. It's a process of identifying a core set of connectors within a topic and showing how they fit together or are related in some way to the subject.
Function
The theoretical framework is a foundation for the parameters, or boundaries, of a study. Once these themes are established, researchers can seek answers to the topical questions they have developed on broad subjects. With a framework, they can resist getting off track by digging into information that has nothing to do with their topic. Often researchers are curious about broad subjects, but with a theoretical framework they can stay tightly within the theme or topic.
Purpose
Studies are sometimes structured by time and money, and often very little of each. Therefore, to get good results from research or data, a researcher needs to stay on point. A theoretical framework structures the sections of the study that need to be covered. If a researcher finds information on a topic she didn't include in the framework, she can revisit it and add that section in. A theoretical framework is mostly made up of general ideas of what the researcher thinks she will need to cover. Sometimes a framework will show that, within the topic, an area of interest may not be useful enough to pursue and can be eliminated, saving the researcher or writer time.
Benefits
The main benefit of a theoretical framework is that it can help a researcher or writer determine problem areas, content considerations, research questions that need to be addressed, and the methodology or way in which the researcher plans to go about finding an answer to the research question. It can be used to make notes on findings so that at a later time the writer can quickly recall this information. All of these sections of the research paper can be shown in neat thematic groups that can systematically, concisely and succinctly lead the writer through the subject.
Length
A theoretical framework is usually about a page long. They are concise and deal only with the points the writer hopes are important enough to bring out in the paper. Many researchers or writers will use diagrams to illustrate their frameworks. They will draw them showing a circle in the center of the diagram, illustrating the main focus or idea, and from there show "legs" or arrows pointing to or connecting what they hope to bring out in the process of finding the answer to the study's question.
Examples
In academia, when writing a thematic paper, such as a thesis or dissertation, often the writer can create a synopsis or abstract that summarizes, in brief, what the paper is about. This is handy when others want to know, at a glance, what the core of the paper's subject is. When the paper is being reviewed, often a writer is expected to present a theoretical framework of the paper. This framework will show the reviewer how the writer came about choosing the direction he did. It will show the anticipated themes and what questions those themes, theories and ideas hope to answer within the paper.
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