A note on constructing theoretical and conceptual frameworks in Housing Studies dissertation project works (information from perplexity.ai)
My question 1: "In the context of doing a literature review in a Housing Studies dissertation project, please offer advices on five major considerations and techniques, when trying to synthesize about 3 to 4 academic theories to constitute a consolidated and tailor-made theoretical framework to inform the dissertation investigation."
The reply: "Synthesizing 3-4 academic theories into a consolidated theoretical framework strengthens a Housing Studies dissertation by providing a robust lens for analysis. This process requires careful selection and integration to ensure relevance to housing policy, markets, or urban dynamics.
Theory Selection
Prioritize theories with direct applicability to your research problem, such as institutional theory for housing policy structures or human capital theory for affordability issues. Assess each for explanatory power, empirical support in housing contexts, and complementarity rather than overlap. Limit to 3-4 to maintain focus and depth.
Thematic Organization
Group theories by shared themes, like market dynamics or social equity, using synthesis matrices to map relationships visually—rows for theories, columns for key constructs. Identify convergences (e.g., how neoclassical economics aligns with rational choice in tenure decisions) and divergences (e.g., contrasting Marxist critiques of commodification). This reveals patterns beyond individual summaries.
Relationship Mapping
Trace causal links, extensions, or critiques between theories; for instance, integrate structuration theory with path dependency to explain persistent housing inequalities. Employ critical verbs like "extends," "challenges," or "complements" in writing to articulate integrations. Visualize via concept maps to highlight how they collectively address gaps in housing studies literature.
Framework Tailoring
Adapt the synthesized theories to your dissertation's context, such as Hong Kong's public housing system, by proposing hybrid constructs (e.g., a "policy-institutional nexus"). Justify consolidation through logical progression toward your research questions, ensuring the framework informs methodology and hypotheses. Test its coherence by applying it to sample data or cases.
Critical Validation
Critique limitations, such as Western biases in theories applied to Asian contexts, and seek rival interpretations to refine the framework. Use integrative writing with topic sentences framing themes, citing multiple sources per claim. End by explicitly linking the framework to your investigation's novelty in housing studies."
My question 2: "Similarly, please offer advices on five major considerations and techniques, when trying to synthesize about 7-10 academic concepts/ variables to constitute a consolidated and tailor-made conceptual framework to inform a Housing Studies dissertation investigation."
The reply: "Synthesizing 7-10 academic concepts or variables into a consolidated conceptual framework provides a precise operational structure for a Housing Studies dissertation, linking theory to empirical investigation on topics like affordability or policy impacts. This process emphasizes integration over mere listing to guide data collection and analysis effectively.
Concept Selection
Choose concepts with strong empirical backing in housing literature, such as affordability ratios, tenure security, spatial accessibility, social capital, and policy incentives, ensuring they align with your research questions. Prioritize relevance to your Hong Kong or Singapore context, like public housing eligibility or market volatility, while balancing breadth and depth to avoid dilution.
Variable Mapping
Create a synthesis matrix with rows for each concept/variable and columns for definitions, measurements, relationships, and housing-specific examples; this visual tool reveals overlaps (e.g., how overcrowding links to health outcomes) and gaps. Cluster related variables thematically, such as economic (income-to-price) and social (neighborhood stigma), to build hierarchical connections.
Relationship Articulation
Identify directional links, moderators, and mediators among variables—e.g., affordability moderates the tenure-mobility relationship—using path diagrams or causal chain matrices drawn from prior studies. Employ verbs like "influences," "mediates," or "conditions" to describe hypothesized interactions, tested later via regressions or qualitative coding.
Contextual Tailoring
Adapt the framework to your dissertation's scope by incorporating local variables, such as HOS subsidy effects in Hong Kong, and refine through iterative feedback against research objectives. Propose novel composites, like a "socio-spatial vulnerability index," ensuring measurability for mixed-methods designs common in housing studies.
Framework Validation
Critically assess internal coherence by applying the framework to pilot data or case vignettes, checking for comprehensiveness and falsifiability. Link explicitly to methodology, such as survey items or variables in structural equation modeling, and highlight its contribution to filling housing policy gaps."
My question 3: "Recommend 2 YouTube videos on how to construct a theoretical framework and 2 YouTube videos on how to construct a conceptual framework. Also highlight the main ideas on each of these 4 YouTube videos."
The reply: "Recommended YouTube videos provide clear, step-by-step guidance on constructing theoretical and conceptual frameworks for dissertations like those in Housing Studies. These selections focus on academic research contexts, emphasizing synthesis and application.
Theoretical Framework Videos
How to Build a Theoretical Framework (Build Theoretical Framework | Ep. 7) (Updated 2025)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcEWeR5we-o
Outlines a nine-step process including extensive reading, challenging assumptions, defining constructs, clarifying boundaries, exploring mechanisms, situating against existing theories, ensuring coherence, visualizing the framework, and aligning with methods for robust empirical research.
Develop a Theoretical Framework in 3 Steps | Scribbr 🎓
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4y1BAqOnhMM
Covers identifying key concepts from the research problem, evaluating and selecting relevant theories, and showing how the study fits into or extends them, with emphasis on structure and grounding in established ideas.
Conceptual Framework Videos
Theoretical and Conceptual Frameworks: A step-by-step guide
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-5u-g340ng
Explains theoretical frameworks as foundational theory reviews guiding research design, then details conceptual frameworks as visual maps of key variables and relationships, highlighting steps like literature review and connections for analysis.
Theoretical Framework vs Conceptual Framework In Research: Simple Explainer (With Examples)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hilKsiLYRJs
Contrasts theoretical frameworks (borrowing established theories) with conceptual frameworks (researcher-defined models of variables), using examples to illustrate differences, overlaps, and their roles in linking theory to study specifics."
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