"on a quest with some guiding principle (theory), using one or more ways of traveling (methods) in order to obtain some hitherto elusive prize (results) that is valuable to one or more interested parties (applications and implications). Each story told contributes to readers’ expectations for the particular genre" (Ellingson, 2017, p. 66). 

The theoretical framework, or blueprint outlines the “foundation from which all knowledge is constructed (metaphorically and literally)” (Grant & Osanloo, 2014, p. 12). It is essential that beginning researchers understand how to construct and structure this critical information. This emphasized for me the importance of my beliefs and understandings about the philosophical underpinnings of my research. I need to know and understand where I stand and then describe this framework clearly. All decisions about my research will build on this foundation, just as Grant and Osanloo (2014) suggest with their house building metaphor.
     There is a distinction made between theoretical and conceptual frameworks. Grant and Osanloo (2014) see these as being “neither interchangeable or synonymous” (p. 16). Theoretical frameworks are built from existing theories, are borrowed blueprints, and become the lens through which the researcher views the world, outlining key concepts, assumptions and beliefs (Grant & Osanloo, 2014). For my research, I need to know these core, foundational elements before I begin building the dissertation ‘house’. The conceptual framework outlines the factors, constructs, variables and relationships in the research design (Grant & Osanloo, 2014) while being reflected through the researcher's ontological and epistemic theoretical lenses. I next share my theoretical frameworks before exploring the conceptual frameworks for my proposed research.

As shared here, I explore frameworks as I create. With this concept map, considered a work in progress, I find concept mapping as one way of pulling theoretical and conceptual threads together: