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POSC 4370: International Relations

This course provides a conceptual overview of the international system, examining the determinants of state behavior in the pursuit of security and prosperity.

Creating a Theoretical Framework

A theoretical framework in political science refers to a set of concepts, assumptions, and principles that guide the study and analysis of political phenomena. It provides a structure for understanding and explaining various political processes, institutions, and behaviors.

Theoretical frameworks help researchers in political science develop hypotheses, construct research questions, and design empirical studies. They offer a lens through which political events, policies, and interactions are analyzed and interpreted. These frameworks may draw on various theories, approaches, and perspectives, such as liberalism, realism, institutionalism, Marxism, feminism, or constructivism, among others.

Theoretical frameworks serve as tools for examining political phenomena at different levels, including the individual, state, international, or global levels. They aid in exploring topics such as power dynamics, political behavior, public opinion, governance structures, policy-making processes, international relations, and socio-political transformations.

Overall, theoretical frameworks in political science provide a conceptual map that assists in understanding and interpreting political systems, actors, and dynamics for research, analysis, and academic inquiry in the field.

 

Noor, S. H. (2022). Theory. In Clipperton, J. (Ed.), Empirical methods in political science (Ch. 3) Retrieved from:  https://nulib-oer.github.io/empirical-methods-polisci/theory.html

Before you start your research, you need to familiarize yourself with the theories and models that other researchers have already developed. It's an opportunity to present and explain what you've learned, and how it applies to your research topic.

Depending on your research topic, there may be several theories that exist. Your theoretical framework will help you evaluate and compare theories, and then select the most relevant theories.

"Framing" your research within a clearly defined scope makes your reader aware of assumptions that you are using in your research approach. It also shows the reasoning behind your choices for later sections of your research paper. This part of your research paper lays the foundations that will support your analysis, help you interpret your results, and make broader generalizations.

 

Vinz, S. (2023, November 20). What Is a Theoretical Framework? | Guide to Organizing. Scribbr. Retrieved January 2, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/dissertation/theoretical-framework/

The three basic steps to creating or forming a theoretical framework are:

1. Define your key concepts.

  • Pick out the key terms from your problem statement and research questions. Concepts often have many definitions, so your theoretical framework should clearly define what you mean by each term.

 2. Evaluate and explain relevant theories.

  • A thorough literature review will help you determine how other researchers have defined key concepts and theories and how they've connected them. Compare and critically evaluate the approaches that different researchers have taken. Be sure to mention each of the most important theories related to your key concepts. If there is an established theory that you don't want to apply to your research, explain why it isn't suitable for your research.

  3.  Validate your research by showing how it fits into existing research.

  • How will your research make use of these ideas and take them further?