Issues pertaining to the theoretical framework of a study: Reflections from some Universities in three African Countries

Abstract

This paper derives from the review of some postgraduate theses completed in the Faculties of Education of some selected universities in three African countries. The review casts doubts over the understanding of the place of theory in the conduct of educational research amongst researchers within the African research tradition. In this paper, the meanings and relevance of theories within the context of educational research with a primary focus on the self-evidenced misconceptions regarding the application of theories by research-students and their supervisors were examined. The paper, while noting that the application of theory to research within African research tradition is far from being established, highlights the implications of such epistemological neglect on the growth and relevance of educational research within the continent. Consequently, an attempt is made to set out the framework within which students and researchers alike may conduct theory-guided educational research.