The backbone of all scholarly project writing, a theoretical framework sets the tone and dictates the research processes. In this article, I’ll take you through the mechanics of writing excellent theoretical framework for DNP projects. Your paper won’t leave the professor with a foul aftertaste if you follow this proven strategy!
Let’s First Understand Theoretical Frameworks
Every DNP project writer is required to develop a theory that explains nursing phenomena, makes scientific predictions, and draws evidence-based connections between variables.
Definition: A theoretical framework is a foundational review of existing arguments that contextualizes and justifies previous research. It’s an explicit roadmap that grounds your DNP project ideas in existing knowledge.
Wisdom!
Select a framework based on how well it’ll work for your DNP project. A good theoretical framework aids in assessing your topic question, is easy to implement, and works within your timeframe!
Types of Theoretical Frameworks for DNP Projects
You can choose any – or a combination – of the following six theoretical frameworks for your DNP project:
- An explanatory theoretical framework in psychology and social sciences shows the cause of particular behavior.
- Conceptual Frameworks : These defines key research concepts and how they relate to the statement of the problem.
- Empirical theories mainly focus on collection and analysis of scientific research data.
- Deductive theories are common with quantitative research. The framework starts with a general hypothesis, then uses empirical data to test it.
- A darling to qualitative research, an inductive theoretical framework starts with data before developing a hypothesis.
- Ethics and social sciences use normative theoretical frameworks to define a set of norms that elicit certain behaviors.
How to Write an Excellent Theoretical Framework for Your DNP Project
In writing the theoretical framework of your DNP project, keep the following in mind:
- From the onset, clearly describe the theoretical framework(s) in your DNP paper. Identify and furnish the reader with details about any concepts, authoritative theorists, models, and historical context that support the formulation of your framework.
- Write theoretical assumptions explicitly. The approach and discussion segments of your DNP project should always link back to the theory.
- Give sufficient reasons why the chosen framework is most appropriate for the research problem. Here, you may highlight optional frameworks, models, concepts, or theories and what they lack.
- Make note of the chosen framework’s limitations. Inform the audience which parts of the research question may need further investigation due to the theory’s limitations.
- Finally, always write your theoretical framework in the present tense. This rule has no exceptions!
How to Create a DNP Study Theoretical Framework
You can choose to derive a theoretical framework for a DNP project from a single theory. You can also deploy a collection of theories. Some DNP candidates will want to originate theoretical ideas.
According to our DNP project editors an excellent theoretical framework aims to do one of the following:
- To test a theory in an unexamined DNP context.
- To critique an existing theory.
- To use existing theories as a platform for data interpretation.
- A DNP student may want to combine theories in a new, unique way to produce unseen insights.
The Four-Step Strategy
If you want to create an excellent theoretical framework for your DNP project, follow the four steps below.
- Define your objectives and write a comprehensive problem statement. Critically examine the title.
- Present the DNP project questions. State the best way to solve the healthcare problem in (a) above. Also,list the key research constructs and variables.
- Write down a clear literature review, highlighting and ranking all the theories that can solve your research questions. Show how your research fits into existing studies.
- Just as with all other sections of the DNP project, cite all sources and theorist authorities. It helps to define all research concepts in a glossary, too!
Structuring a DNP project Theoretical Framework
There are no strict rules for placement, so you can have the DNP theoretical framework in the literature review. You can also write it as a distinct chapter, a rule of thumb if you’re combining theories. Check with your nursing school for any special formatting guidelines.
Every bit of information in the theoretical framework must be crystal clear. It is important to hire our DNP project writers for support when developing theoretical framework. The following are ways to create a clear, logical, theoretical structure.
- Drawing from the research questions, develop each section of the framework around a key concept.
- You can also organize a DNP theoretical framework by theory clusters. Some students organize the theories in a dateline starting with the most recently used.
DNP Students Also Ask:
Q: Is a theoretical framework similar to a research hypothesis?
A: Whereas a theory predicts events in broad (general) contexts, a hypothesis makes specific predictions about specified circumstances. Theories are a result of extensive testing and are conventional among scholars, but a hypothesis remains an individual researcher’s speculative guess.
Q: How should I present a theoretical framework in the research paper?
A: You may use a diagram, table, model, or a narrative depending on the healthcare problem your DNP project wishes to solve.