Reference no: EM13375144

Two theoretical frameworks that might be used in a research problem and why

Research can be viewed as a journey to an endpoint that contributes to practise, through the development of new knowledge (Sinclair, 2007). For example in Bank of Uganda the regulatory authority of financial institutions and where I work, there are a number of researches that are continuously carried out to determine the vulnerability of the banking system. Previously known theoretical risks to financial institutions are then used as a basis to investigate whether these exist, for instance the level of nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans. This example can be used to describe a ‘Theoretical framework' that is visualized as a travel or road map as noted by Sinclair, (2007).

It is worth noting though, that through the understanding and knowledge of personal traits and the environmental stressors, assumptions can be developed, and aspects that could affect the results of a research Identified in initial preparatory work (Sinclair, 2007). This author further states that, the information collected in such a process can then be used to form some diagrammatic representations of inter-relatedness through the visualizing and mapping out of theoretical threads. In the example above, for instance if the NPL's against the Total loans are above a certain threshold for instance in the case of Uganda 5%, then one could elude to a possible development of systematic risk emerging.

However caution has to be exercised in Research to avoid circular or linear diagrams, through the promotion of the aspect of imagination (Sinclair, 2007). Both the theoretical Frameworks of Maslow's pyramidal hierarchy of needs, and Bruner's spiral theory of learning, largely based their development on previous theory and knowledge development and have inspired mental images of frameworks (Sinclair, 2007).

Maslow's pyramid hierarchy of needs (Allan Chapman (2001) and cited by Business balls.com) is formed by five segments. Starting from the base of the pyramid is the Physiological (Allan Chapman (2001) and cited by Business balls.com) segment that relates to the element of physical survival and entails among other aspects water and food which are physical in nature but could create discomfort both physically and emotionally. In the example given above in the Loans example, it would cater for the segment that is borrowing for survival or what is referred to as ‘Hand to month'.

The Safety (Allan Chapman (2001) and cited by Business balls.com) aspect is the second and is comprised of among other elements such as economic security (social safety net) and physical security (shelter) which provide a given level of stability or consistency. Again using the example of the loans, then this would entail those who are borrowing to own a house.

The third segment is the Social (Allan Chapman (2001) and cited by Business balls.com) segment which can also be referred to as ‘a belonging' and tends to carry elements of acceptance and appreciation. This in the example of the loans would relate to those in the middle class who need to borrow and upgrade their houses or apartment for the sake of fitting into a given category of persons.

Esteem or Ego is the forth segment and has the element of seeking recognition from others in form of status and prestige in other words it's a desire for power. The last and fifth segment is the self actualization that entails creating a higher level through learning and is an avenue for innovation and creativity in other words the element of aiming to maximize one's potential.

Bruner's spiral theory of learning (Bruner, 1960) is a cognitive theory that occurs in three stages of; Enactive, Iconic and symbolic. It alludes to the possibility of a child being taught a subject matter through an intellectual unbiased manner at any age (Bruner, 1960). In the first stage of Enactive there is the manipulation of objects for instance matching a problem to a learner's capacity (Bruner, 1960). While in the second stage of Iconic, there is the manipulation of phenomenon or rather images of objects and can be equated to a version of a contrastive pair (Bruner, 1960). At the stage of symbolic, representations of the phenomena or actual objects are manipulated

Choice(s) of theoretical framework and manner affects my conduction of research

My proposed Research which centres on how Uganda's use of energy sources is going to change with the discovery of Oil would better be made using the framework of Maslow's pyramid hierarchy of needs. Energy Sources use affects all aspects of the pyramid and as such information can be gathered across these segments which then are used to carry our analysis that would provide knowledge on possible behavioural patterns and possible projections.

The manner of collection of information and kind of research question would vary as each would have to specifically be related to that given segment and the level of communication and personal and institution experiences and interaction would also vary.