CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK IN RESEARCH Presentation Transcript

1. INTRODUCTION

Meaning:

A Conceptual framework is used in research to outline possible courses of action.

It is the researcher’s own position on the problem and gives direction to the study.

2. DEFINITION

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 among
them”.

It may be an adaptation of a model used in a previous study, with modifications to suit the inquiry.

3. NATURE OF FRAMEWORKS

All theoretical & conceptual frameworks are:

Abstractions

Mental images

Conceptions

Ways of looking at reality

4. HOW MIGHT A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK BE DEVELOPED?

The pieces of the conceptual framework are borrowed but the researcher provides the structure. To
develop the structure you could:

Identify the key words used in the subject area of your study.

Draw out the key things.

Take one key concept, idea or term at a time and brainstorm all the other things that might be
related and select those that seem most relevant.

Focus is both on the content and the inter-relationships.

Started early in the development of the framework but refinement is the last step

To develop a map arrange the concepts on the page in sequence of occurrence from left to right
with outcome concepts located on the far right

Link concepts using arrows indicating path of relationship

5. INSTRUCTIONS TO WRITE A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Decide what sort of medical research you want to conduct. Experiments requiring drug tests or other
scientific investigation are best done with the quantitative method. If your nursing research involves
people, opt for the qualitative approach.

Identify the thesis statement of your research and write it in a circle in the middle of a piece of
paper. Draw lines away from the center and make circles to record your secondary ideas. Use
colored pencils if they help you articulate your thoughts .

Create a different diagram---a spider or a hierarchy---.The shape is of secondary concern; it is

generating the ideas for the conceptual framework that counts.

Highlight the gaps, connections and contradictions in your conceptual framework. Leave it alone for
a while and then revisit the design to see if it suits your nursing research project or it you need to
add additional material

Review the ethical regulations of nursing research and make sure your conceptual framework fits
within the guidelines. The conceptual framework of your nursing research will be reviewed by a
board to examine the privacy and involvement of others.

Meet with your supervisor to review your conceptual framework. An experienced medical
researcher may be able to identify points you missed in your conceptual framework and make
suggestions on how you could improve it.

6.CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORKS PROVIDE RESEARCHERS WITH:

The ability to move beyond descriptions to explanations means ‘what’ to ‘why’ and ‘how’.

A means of setting out an explanation set that might be used to define and make sense of the data
that flow from the research question

A filtering tool for selecting appropriate research questions and related data collection methods

A reference point for the discussion of the literature, methodology and results

Provide boundaries of the work

7. LIMITATIONS/DEMERITS OF CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORKS

Influenced by the experience and knowledge of the individual – initial bias

Once developed will influence the researcher’s thinking and may result in some things being given
prominence and others being ignored – ongoing bias

The solution is to revisit the conceptual framework, particularly at the end when evaluating your
work
8. CONCEPTUAL MODELS AND THEORIES USED IN NURSING RESEARCH

Orem’s self care model (1985)

Orem’s (1995)

Imogene King’s General System’s framework (1971)

Imogene King’s Open System Model(1981)

Roy’s Adaptation Model

Pender’s Health Model

Margret Newman’s theory

Betty Neuman theory etc.

9. FOR MORE INFORMATION REFER TO PPT.

10. THANK YOU