Graduate Education: Theory

Having trouble choosing a theoretical framework for your project? Here are three approaches:

1. Find dissertations related to your topic. Skim the abstract or introduction to see what theory or model they used. Look up the theories online or in your textbooks to get a basic understanding of the theory, then reflect on whether it fits your idea of your project.
2. Look at class notes, textbooks, or education theory books to get a general overview of common educational theories. Reflect on which one seems most fitting for your project.
3. Bring your project idea, plus anything you found from Steps 1 and 2, to your dissertation chair. Ask for their input.

Looking for information on your theorist / theoretical framework?

Basically there are two routes:

1) find a book that covers a bunch of educational theories and look up the chapter on your theorist (example:  Bandura chapter from an ed psych theory ebook ) or

2) look up your theorist in Wikipedia, see what their most important books are, and get them from the library (example: ebook or print book).

There are other routes but these are the fastest. 

In the beginning stages of your dissertation process, you may not know which theory you want to use. These books have brief overviews of different theories. Skimming these can help you understand the big picture of different theories before committing to one. Click the links and look at the Table of Contents or the index to see which theorists they cover.