Conceptual Framework in Qualitative Research

It gives a brief introduction on what CF is, how CF should be, how easily it can be done.

1. Conceptual Framework in Qualitative Research Mr. Saroj G. C. Course Facilitator (Qualitative Research) Nepal Open University Mr. Saroj G. C. 1

2. In this presentation What is it? How it should be? Purposes Difference between Theoretical Framework and Conceptual Framework How to Draw it? Steps Example Mr. Saroj G. C. 2

3. What is it? A written or visual presentation that: Explains either graphically or in narrative form, the main things to be studied, the key factors, concepts or variables. And the presumed relationship between and among the factors A Conceptual Framework represents way of thinking about a problem or a study or way of representing about a problem or a study or way of representing how complex things are ( Bordage , 2009) Mr. Saroj G. C. 3

4. Conceptual framework is a structure which the researcher believes could best explain the natural progression of the phenomenon to be studied (Camp, 2001). It offers a logical structure of connected concepts that help provide a picture or visual display of how ideas in a study relate to one another (Grant & Osanloo , 2014). Emanates from theories that influence a research or underpin a construct under study It is like a lighthouse. Mr. Saroj G. C. 4

5. Theories could be from a singular influence (discipline) or from a multidisciplinary vantage point Could comprise of : several constructs (diplomacy, emotional intelligence, nonverbal communication, language, culture) or ideas about particular participants (young adults, elderly, preschool children, migrants) or could even be around different outcomes (psychopathy, HIV + status, reduction in psy -symptom). Mr. Saroj G. C. 5

6. Model Continuum Mr. Saroj G. C. 6 Ngulube , Mathipa and Gumbo, 2015, p, 4 .

7. How it should be? Establishment of the tentative relationships between the concepts/assumptions/variables included in the study. Visualizing conceptual causal threads to form a representation of inter-relatedness among the identified issues or variables. Identification of possible answers to the research questions? How are the possible answers to the question explained and defended? Mr. Saroj G. C. 7

8. a motivation for selecting concepts and linking them to a research problem; a set of concepts and aspects of theories that assist in establishing coherence in research; less developed than theories; giving direction to research, just as the theoretical framework does; a diagrammatic representation of concepts and their relationship in a specific research context; and linking abstractions to empirical data. ( Ngulube , Mathipa and Gumbo, 2015, p, 6 .) Mr. Saroj G. C. 8

9. Purpose Identify Relevant Variables Define Variables/Concepts Have an Idea of Analysis Outline from Input to Output Mr. Saroj G. C. 9

10. Theory or Concept A Theory is used in the broad sense to refer to an abstraction which summarizes and explains phenomena Concepts are mental images or ideas relating to phenomena or objects that share common properties A conceptual framework is the researcher’s idea on how the research problem will have to be explored. This is founded on the theoretical framework, which lies on a much broader scale of resolution. The theoretical framework dwells on time tested theories that embody the findings of numerous investigations on how phenomena occur. Mr. Saroj G. C. 10

11. Different Between Theory Big Ideas Informs the diverse concepts related to the larger theme or idea curled from an existing theory or theories in the literature that has already been tested and validated by others is considered as an acceptable theory in the scholarly literature general representation of relationships between things in a given phenomenon. Concept Small ideas a set of specific ideas that can be used within the larger theoretical framework the researcher’s understanding of how the research problem will be explored the specific direction the research will have to take, and the relationship between the different variables in the study outlines the input, process and output of the whole investigation. Mr. Saroj G. C. 11

12. theory may serve as one’s theoretical framework is a structure that can hold or support a theory of a research work presents the theory which explains why the problem under study exists is carefully put together in the form of a conceptual model and immediately applied to a particular study is like a process that involves mapping out or visualizing these theoretical threads to form some diagrammatic representation of inter-relatedness Mr. Saroj G. C. 12

13. How to draw it? If you drew a picture of your research, this would be a conceptual framework because it visualizes the variables and how they are related Steps: Identifying the relevant concepts Defining those concepts Operationalizing the concepts Identifying any moderating or intervening variables/concepts Identifying the relationship between variables/concepts Mr. Saroj G. C. 13

14. For example Mr. Saroj G. C. 14

15. Research Questions What is the demographic profile of the participants? What are the group formation factors in the development of IPM farmers’ associations? To what extent does knowledge acquisition impact group formation? What demographic characteristics are related to group formation? Mr. Saroj G. C. 15

16. Research Questions What is the socio-economic condition of women? What is the degree of women’s autonomy in decision-making? What the areas of household decision making for women? What are the factors that influence women’s decision making? What are the aspects that can empower women’s decision making power? Mr. Saroj G. C. 16

17. Mr. Saroj G. C. 17 Women’s Autonomy in Household Decision Making