Why Theory Seems Confusing — And How to Understand It Better
You’ve begun your PhD journey. You’re reading literature, developing your subject and feeling happy.
But then your supervisor asks: “What’s your theoretical framework?”
And you suddenly feel all confused.
Nothing wrong here. Many PhD candidates find theory among the hardest elements of research they have to contend with — not because they aren’t bright, but because no one bothers to make it clear.
Here is your chance to get things clearer.
Understanding Theory in Research
Let’s keep it simple.
Theory in research is a framework that helps us make sense of cause-and-effect relationships that we have identified in our studies. It provides us with an interpretive lens that enables us to make sense of the collected information.
Here’s an example. Suppose you want to find out why children from low-income families are more likely to drop out of college. We can certainly collect all sorts of data on this topic, but what will help us understand the meaning of this data? Will it be economic pressure or perhaps a combination of economic, sociocultural, and institutional factors?
Now you know what theory in research is.
Importance of Theory in Research—and in the Research Process
The importance of theory in research is much greater than just writing a chapter and forgetting about it. In truth, the importance of theory in research extends to all parts of your study.
Here’s how theory comes into play in each stage of your research process:
- At the beginning – by reading literature on theory and identifying its gaps, you are able to place yourself into research by trying to fill that gap with your study.
- When formulating questions – your theoretical approach will determine which variables, relations, and concepts should be asked.
- While designing – your methodology depends directly on your theoretical approach. Thus, your research design is different depending on whether you use critical theory or positivism.
- During analysis – your coding, categorization, and interpretation of data depend on your theory.
- In your discussion – you should return to the theory here. Was your data able to prove it? Disprove it? Expand upon it?
This is what is meant by the importance of theory in research and the research process—this isn’t a chapter. This is your backbone.
Why Is Theory Important in Research? (Five Reasons)
Still unsure about why theory is important in your research? Here are five reasons why theory really does matter in your PhD:
- Theory gives your research focus. Without a theoretical framework, there are no limits to where your research can go.
- Theory lends credibility to your project. Your committee and examiners should expect you to know the intellectual history of your discipline.
- Theory places your research into a context. Your project does not happen in isolation – you will need to use theory to demonstrate this.
- Theory directs your research methods. Depending on which theory you pick, your methods of collecting and analysing data will change.
- Theory helps explain your findings. Sometimes, findings are unpredictable – but with theory, you’ll have the principles to figure out why.
How to Describe the Role of Theory in Your PhD Research
In a PhD defence and proposal, one of the frequently asked questions is as follows: Describe the role of theory in your research.
Here is how you could answer:
Theory serves as the blueprint of your study. Just like building a house requires a blueprint at the planning stage, conducting research requires developing a theory beforehand.
Functions of theory in research include:
- Explanation – explanation of the causes for the phenomenon occurring;
- Prediction – prediction of the nature of results;
- Description – provides language to explain what you see;
- Orientation – serves as guidance in designing your study.
- Integration – connects your research with existing knowledge.
So, when being asked how theory functions in your study, you may say that “theory enables me to interpret data, justify methodology, and relate findings to existing literature.”
Theory vs Conceptual Framework: How are They Different?
This is one of the most frequently misunderstood aspects for PhD candidates, and few guidebooks adequately explain it. Here’s the difference between them:
Theoretical Framework | Conceptual Framework |
Built on an existing, established theory (e.g. Social Learning Theory, Structuration Theory) | Built by the researcher — a map of concepts drawn from multiple sources |
Borrowed from the literature and applied to your study | Constructed specifically for your study |
Explains the ‘why’ behind your phenomenon | Shows the ‘what’ — the key variables and how they relate |
Used more in deductive research | Used more in inductive or mixed research |
Example: Using Bandura’s Social Learning Theory to study employee training | Example: Creating a framework linking motivation, environment, and performance |
In reality, both theory and concept are used in a lot of PhD research. The theoretical framework will provide philosophy, while the conceptual framework deals with particular variables.
Theory in Practice: Real Life Examples in Various Disciplines
Not all theories apply everywhere. Below, you can find examples of how various disciplines make use of theory.
🏢 Theory in Management Research
Popular theories include:
- Agency Theory – looks at the principal-agent relationship
- Resource-Based Theory – studies competitive advantage from the company’s internal resources
- Institutional Theory – deals with the influence of norms and regulations on organisational practices
Example:
- A PhD about reasons behind the resistance of family firms against external boards
- Uses Agency Theory as a framework that helps understand the discrepancy in trust between owners and professional managers
🎓 Theory in Education Research
Popular theories include:
- Zone of Proximal Development (Vygotsky) – learning in the context of support
- Social Learning Theory (Bandura) – behaviour shaped by environment and observations
- Critical Pedagogy (Freire) – education as an empowering process of consciousness raising
Example:
- A PhD about reasons behind the lack of commitment among first-generation college students
- Uses the Student Integration Model of Tinto to view dropouts as the problem of inadequate social/academic integration rather than personal failure
🌍 Application of Theory in Social Science Research
popular theories are:
- Theories about Capital and Habitus by Bourdieu — impact of social/cultural capital on one’s opportunities
- Giddens’ Structuration Theory — the interrelationship between personal agency and social structure
- Feminist Theory — focuses on gender relations in social/political/economic systems.
Example:
- PhD dissertation on wage differences based on gender in IT companies
- Uses Bourdieu’s Social Capital Theory to argue that promotion isn’t solely about qualifications, but also involves informal networks.
As seen in the examples of discipline mentioned above, there is a unique way in which theory is applied depending on the discipline. Select a theory that will be relevant to your discipline and research question.
Common Theory Mistakes PhD Students Should Avoid
Here are mistakes candidates usually make – and how to avoid them.
Mistake 1: Discussing a theory once in the paper and then not referring to it anymore
A theory needs to appear in your introduction, literature review, methodology, results and discussion.
Mistake 2: Choosing a theory based on its popularity
Make sure to choose your theory based on how well it suits your topic – not on the number of colleagues working on the same thing in your university.
Mistake 3: Mixing up the theoretical framework and the literature review
The literature review talks about what has already been done. The theoretical framework discusses how you are going to analyze your results. Two different things!
Mistake 4: Discussing several theories at once
One well-applied theory works much better than several loosely discussed theories. It really matters which one you choose.
Mistake 5: Not explaining why you need to apply a certain theory
Always provide a rationale behind selecting the theory in your dissertation.
A Structured 6-Step Process for Developing a Theoretical Framework
Take these six steps to create an effective theoretical framework:
- Determine your research question(s). What are the questions your research tries to answer?
- Explore related theories. Which theories have been employed to analyze such questions before?
- Select an anchoring theory. Pick the theory most relevant to your research.
- Rationalize your choice. Why does this particular theory appeal to you and why?
- State your operational definitions. Define the concepts according to your needs and usage.
- Relate theory to method. How does the theoretical framework help to conduct your study?
Quick Reference: Theory in PhD Research
Question | Short Answer |
What is theory in research? | A set of concepts that explains why phenomena occur |
What is the purpose of theory? | To guide interpretation, design, and analysis |
What are the functions of theory? | Explanation, prediction, description, direction, integration |
Why is theory important in research? | It gives focus, credibility, and direction to your study |
What is a theoretical framework? | A structured application of one or more theories to your study |
Theory vs conceptual framework? | Theory = borrowed from literature; Conceptual = built by researcher |
When do you use theory in your PhD? | Throughout — not just in one chapter |
Conclusion
Getting a PhD is not easy. Theoretical aspects of writing a dissertation are certainly among the toughest – even seasoned academics struggle with that task. Asking for help is nothing to be embarrassed about.
If you find yourself struggling to create your theoretical framework or formulate your questions, or to figure out where you’re going with all your work, having the right academic consultant may save you several months of confusion.
Our experts at IdeaLaunch have been helping PhD students with their research for years, from finding the proper theoretical base to polishing up a final dissertation. We know precisely what your examiners want.
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