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.
