A conceptual framework is an analytical tool with several variations and contexts.
It is used to make conceptual distinctions and organize ideas.
Strong conceptual frameworks capture something real and do this in a way that is easy to
remember and apply.
For example, Isaiah Berlin used the metaphor of a “Fox” and a “Hedgehog” to make
conceptual distinctions in how important philosophers and authors view the world.
Berlin describes hedgehogs as those who use a single idea or organizing principle to view
the world.
Foxes, on the other hand, incorporate a type of pluralism and view the world through multiple,
sometimes conflicting, lenses.
Economists use the conceptual framework of “supply” and “demand” to distinguish
between the behavior and incentive systems of firms and consumers.
Like many conceptual frameworks, supply and demand can be presented through visual or
graphical representations.
Overview The use of the term conceptual framework crosses
both scale and contexts.
Its explicit definition and application can therefore vary.
Conceptual frameworks are particularly useful as organizing devices in empirical research.
One set of scholars has applied the notion of conceptual framework to deductive, empirical
research at the micro- or individual study level.
They employ American football plays as a useful metaphor to clarify the meaning of conceptual
framework.
A football play is a “plan of action” that simultaneously connects to a yardage
goal and directs the movement of the players on the ground.
Likewise, conceptual frameworks are abstract representations, connected to the research
project's goal that direct the collection and analysis of data.
Critically, a football play is a “plan of action” tied to a particular, timely, purpose,
usually summarized as long or short yardage.
Shields and Rangarajan argue that it is this tie to “purpose” that make American football
plays such a good metaphor.
They define a conceptual framework as “the way ideas are organized to achieve a research
project’s purpose.”
Like football plays conceptual frameworks are connected to a research purpose.
Explanation is the most common type of research purpose employed in empirical research.
The formal hypothesis is the framework associated with explanation.
Explanatory research usually focuses on “why” or “what caused” a phenomena to occur.
Formal hypotheses posit possible explanations that are tested by collecting data and assessing
the evidence.
For example Kai Huang wanted to determine what factors contributed to residential fires
in U.S. cities.
Three factors were posited to influence residential fires.
These factors became the hypotheses or conceptual framework he used to achieve his purpose – explain
factors that influenced home fires in U.S. cities.
Types of conceptual frameworks Several types of conceptual frameworks have
been identified, and line up with a research purpose in the following ways:
Working hypothesis -- Exploration or Exploratory research
Descriptive Categories -- Description or Descriptive research
Practical ideal type -- Gauging Models of operations research -- Decision
making Formal hypothesis -- Explanation and Prediction
Note that Shields and Rangarajan do not claim that the above are the only framework-purpose
pairing.
Nor do they claim the system is applicable to inductive forms of empirical research.
Rather, the conceptual framework-research purpose pairings they propose are useful and
provide new scholars a point of departure to develop their own research design.
Frameworks have also been used to explain conflict theory and the balance necessary
to reach what amounts to resolution.
Within these conflict frameworks, visible and invisible variables function under concepts
of relevance.
Boundaries form and within these boundaries, tensions regarding laws and chaos are mitigated.
These frameworks often function like cells, with sub-frameworks, stasis, evolution and
revolution.
Anomalies may exist without adequate "lenses" or "filters" to see them and may become visible
only when the tools exist to define them.
See also Action research
Analogy Concept
Conceptual object Conceptual system
Inquiry Model
Ontology Theory
Paradigm Mindset
Uses References
Further reading Kaplan, Abraham..
The Conduct of Inquiry: Methodology for Behavioral Science.
Scranton, PA: Chandler Publishing Co.
Botha, M.E., "Theory Development in Perspective: The Role of Conceptual Frameworks and Models
in Theory Development", Journal of Advanced Nursing 14(1), 49–55.
Dewey, John..
Logic: The Theory of Inquiry.
New York: Hold Rinehart and Winston.
Shields, Patricia and Nandhini Rangarjan. 2013.
A Playbook for Research Methods: Integrating Conceptual Frameworks and Project Management.
Stillwater, OK: New Forums Press.