A Practical Guide to Theoretical Frameworks for Social Science Research

This practical book provides a guide to finding, choosing, and applying theoretical frameworks to social sciences research, offering clear definitions, primary tenets, historical context, highlights of challenges, and successful examples. It defines and explains the connections between concepts such as ontology, epistemology, paradigm, theory, frameworks, and research methodology, and offers brief overviews of particular theories across disciplines. It also has a dedicated chapter on critical theories, providing definitions, exploring how the theory is useful for researchers, discussing the background and foundations, outlining key terms and concepts, presenting examples of theoretical applications, and giving an overview of strengths and limitations.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 13 February 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive guide provides a comprehensive and practical approach to finding, selecting, and applying theoretical frameworks to social sciences research. It serves as a valuable resource for researchers seeking to enhance their understanding of philosophical orientations and position their work within the broader landscape of empirical and theoretical knowledge.

The book adopts a multifaceted approach, offering clear definitions, primary tenets, historical context, highlights of challenges, and contemporary discussions for each theoretical framework. Moreover, it provides concrete and successful examples of studies that have incorporated and applied these frameworks, showcasing their practical applications.

The authors delve into the intricate connections between concepts such as ontology, epistemology, paradigm, theory, theoretical frameworks, conceptual frameworks, and research methodology. They elucidate the process of identifying and effectively utilizing theoretical and conceptual frameworks in research, guiding researchers through the selection and integration of appropriate frameworks to suit their study objectives.

The book offers concise overviews of various theories within diverse disciplines, including sociology, psychology, education, leadership, public policy, political science, economics, organizational studies, and business. Each chapter provides a comprehensive definition of the theory, explores its usefulness for researchers, discusses its background and foundations, outlines key terms and concepts, presents examples of theoretical applications, and offers an overview of strengths and limitations.

In addition, the book dedicates a chapter to critical theories, providing a comprehensive exploration of each theory. It offers a definition, discusses its applicability for researchers, delves into its background and foundations, outlines key terms and concepts, presents examples of theoretical applications, and provides an overview of its strengths and limitations.

This book serves as an invaluable resource for researchers at all stages of their careers, particularly graduate students and early career researchers. It offers clear definitions of complex terms and concepts, provides an introduction to useful theories across disciplines, and serves as a scaffolding for reflection on philosophical orientations and the better positioning of research within the existing knowledge landscape. By leveraging the insights and examples provided in this book, researchers can enhance their understanding, strengthen their research, and contribute to the advancement of social sciences.

Weight: 589g
Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032199894