Getting down to qualitative research, one should be aware of all aspects of writing and provide a detailed description of the study. One of the first steps in conducting research is the consideration of the theory. The theory is used for consideration, identification, explaining and predicting the events of behavior (depending on the research questions). Additionally, a researcher should be aware of the framework which is going to be used in the future. There are two types of framework, theoretical and conceptual. The ability to understand each of them may be helpful in conducting personal research. The main purpose of this discussion is to consider the main idea of the conceptual and theoretical framework and apply received knowledge to the discussion of the framework in the article “Researching the therapeutic relationship in psychoanalysis counseling psychology and psychotherapy – A qualitative inquiry” by Clarkson (1996).
A theoretical framework for a study is the specific information aimed at structuring and supporting a theory in the research. The theoretical framework explains the validity and necessity of the research. In other words, the theoretical framework is the basis for research conduction. The main purposes for formulating the theoretical framework are as follows. First of all, the theoretical framework helps the researcher to identify the variables of the study. Second, the general framework for data analysis is identified. Third, if the researcher is aimed and using qualitative methods, the theoretical framework is inevitable (Ornek, 2008). After the theoretical framework is identified, it is high time for shifting to the discussion of the conceptual framework. A concept is the visual symbolic communication of the abstract idea. According to Chinn and Kramer, a concept is “a complex mental formulation of experience” (p. 252). Comparing theoretical framework with conceptual one, it may be concluded that the theoretical framework is the basis for the research while the conceptual framework is its operationalization. A conceptual framework is usually the personal position of the researcher’s personal opinion about the issue which guides the whole study. Even though the conceptual framework may be used as the adaptation of the already existing model, it is still used with considerable modifications (Munhall, & Chenail, 2008). Once the conceptual framework is defined, it is high time for determining the research methods.
Getting down to the consideration of the article under discussion, it should be stated that the literature review is used as the theoretical framework. The researcher conducted a thorough analysis of the information devoted to the psychotherapeutic professions in the therapeutic relationship. Clarkson (1996) considered about 1000 sources that have been collected for about 20 years. The theoretical framework is used as methodology. The conceptual framework is based on the literature review which has been conducted with the purpose to argue that “clinical practice or supervision should be inseparable from research, particularly qualitative research in psychology” (Clarkson, 1996, p. 143). Thus, applying the theoretical information considered above about the definition of the theoretical framework and conceptual framework, it may be concluded that the theoretical and conceptual framework used for the study are appropriate as considering the relation between clinical practice and supervision in psychology the researcher had to have a look at the problem from the time perspective. Having considered the pilot research which has ever been conducted for 20 years, Clarkson (1996) used the theoretical information (several concepts) and created a personal modified model for research.
Reference List
Chinn, P. L., & Kramer, M. K. (1999). Theory and nursing: a systematic approach, St Louis: Mosby.
Clarkson, P. (1996). Researching the therapeutic relationship in psychoanalysis counseling psychology and psychotherapy – A qualitative inquiry. Counseling psychology quarterly, 9(2), 143-163.
Munhall, P. L. & Chenail, R. J. (2008). Qualitative research proposals and reports: a guide. New York: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Ornek, F. (2008). An overview of a theoretical framework of phenomenography in qualitative education research: An example from physics education research. Asia-Pacific Forum on Science Learning & Teaching, 9(2), 1-14.