Theoretical Foundation: What Is it and How do You Write it?

One of the biggest decisions that you’ll make when researching and writing your dissertation is about the theoretical foundation of your research project (also sometimes referred to as the “theoretical framework”).

In the context of your dissertation, the theoretical foundation is just as important as it sounds. In order to have a clear purpose and a viable research proposal, you must first have a well-constructed and soundly built theoretical foundation to serve as the basis of your research. 

Before you begin your research, it’s a good idea to make sure you understand your department’s expectations for how you will determine the theoretical foundation of your dissertation.

Before you get too far into the process, consult your dissertation advisor and relevant faculty members to get their thoughts and make sure you’re on the right path.

You may also find it helpful to look at successful dissertations written by graduates in your department and see how they approached the theoretical foundations of their dissertations. 

Theoretical Foundation Questions

These are a few commonly asked questions about the theoretical foundation of a dissertation: 

• What is a theoretical foundation?
• How do I determine the theoretical foundation of my dissertation?
• Where does it go in my dissertation?
• How do I write about theory? 

What Is a Theoretical Foundation? 

A theoretical foundation is a formal, peer-reviewed theoretical model (or models) that can be used to explain the issue that is driving your research. We often begin dissertations with a nagging question, or an observation that something has been overlooked.

A dissertation is our pursuit of using existing theory to refine that question and determine a way to answer it. Determining the theoretical foundation that will help us find a solution or greater clarity about the problem is the first step towards doing that. 

The theoretical foundation of your dissertation will consist of one or more existing theories. In most–if not all–critical papers and works of academic scholarship, the argument being made is grounded in theory. Whether it’s scientific or humanistic, theory is the intellectual cornerstone upon which all academic research is built. A quick search of the reference section of any work of scholarship will show which theorists guided the author’s research. 

When I began my dissertation, which was about the commodification of literary tourist sites in the South, I was faced with mountains of research as well as pages of my own observations to sift through. I knew what I wanted to study–at least vaguely–and the challenge was to find sufficient gaps wherein I could insert my own ideas and questions into the conversation. The first step to doing this was to make note of the myriad theories driving the scholarship that I was reading. 

How Do I Determine the Theoretical Foundation of My Dissertation?

Read. Read every work of scholarship and piece of background material related to your topic that you can get your hands on. Take note of the theories being used in every article and book that you find relevant to your topic.

Once you’ve read the secondary research, trace the theory back to its original publication, paying attention to pertinent historical context. Determine the theory’s significance to your work moving forward. 

For me, the process of determining the theoretical foundation of any project is one of the most exciting parts. I love it because it gives me an opportunity to immerse myself in research and to read for the purpose of discovery. It’s an interesting exercise to open up an article and examine the theories that wind the gears of the narrative to make the clock tick. Doing this has also taught me to be prepared for the unexpected. 

When doing background reading for my dissertation and subsequent scholarship on my topic, one of the biggest surprises for me was how far afield I had to research in order to construct a sound theoretical foundation. While my topic was firmly rooted in my home field of Southern authors in American literature, I found myself needing theories created by economists and travel scholars to articulate my research question and inform much of my analysis. 

Where Does the Theoretical Foundation Go in My Dissertation? 

The short answer? Everywhere. The theoretical foundation is the guiding light of your dissertation, and it informs every aspect of it. Rather than thinking of it as just another box to check in your table of contents, know that your theoretical foundation is pervasive throughout your dissertation. In this way, the theoretical foundation is found in both the text and the subtext of your research, determining the shape and scope of your entire project. 

For a slightly longer answer, check with your dissertation advisor. Some academic departments may mandate a specific section of your dissertation wherein you explicitly state your theoretical framework in a few paragraphs (typically as part of the introduction and/or the literature review). Otherwise, the expectation is that you will refer to your theoretical foundation throughout. Whether it’s in a specific section or not, the theoretical framework of your dissertation will shape everything from your introduction and research question to your literature review, methods section, and your final analysis. 

How Do I Write About Theory?

After you’ve determined which theory or theories are most relevant to your topic, start building your case for how they can be applied to form your research question and shed light on the next steps. Be open to learning about theories used predominantly in fields beyond your own; you never know when you’ll strike gold and find a new way of looking at a major issue in your discipline. 

It’s not easy to write about theory, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Effectively communicating the nuts and bolts that hold a theory together and make it applicable to multiple research questions is some of the hardest work that we do as scholars. The good news is that if you’ve made it this far, you possess the knowledge and skills you need to be equal to the task. While the learning curve may feel a bit steep as you hurtle into the unknown, buckle up and try to enjoy the ride.