Conceptual frameworks and operationalising your research
14 important questions on Conceptual frameworks and operationalising your research
What is conceptual framework?
- Part of problem solving (answering a question) is the ability to reframe a complex and chaotic reality in a model/framework that clarifies the mechanisms, and thus points to the solutions
Frameworks are:
- The description of concepts
- The relation between concepts
- form a simplified representation of complex reality
- Express relationships between concepts from a certain perspective
- are instruments that we use to make sense of reality
What are the concepts in everyday life when it comes to what to wear?
- What is the weather forecast?
- The image of the look?
- Which clothes are available? (what is clean, what can I buy?)
What is a concept?
- Something conceived in the mind
- An abstract notion or idea that we use to apply general terms to things/ persons, events, etc.
- The building blocks of thought, that we relate to context
- We all see different things
Concepts are:
- observable
- distinguishable
- variable
- Higher grades + faster learning
- Never study anything twice
- 100% sure, 100% understanding
For my 1st exam I got a C. Then, I started looking for ways to learn better and I came across Study Smart. Since then I have scored a A+, A, A- and another A. I highly recommend it to everyone who wants to hear it. I am so happy with it!!
I was struggling to finish all my first-year subjects for 3 years. Then I discovered Study Smart, which helped me to finish all of them within 3 months.
Because of StudySmart, things are going well in many ways. Before, I always had study stress and no time for anything. Now I feel calm and confident (because of the program). I used to score a B, now I usually score an A or A+.
Hey Chris, I really want to thank you very much for developing the platform, I usually got around C for my exams, now I scored an A+, an A and a A- !!
Since using Study Smart, my average has increased significantly. I even completed a statistics course with a A+ while I'm bad at statistics. I took on extra courses this year, because of Study Smart. Thanks so much!
Ever since I started studying with StudySmart I passed all my exams !!! No more re-sits!! At first, I was happy with a pass and now I only get good grades. Many thanks!
I aced all the courses I studied with Study Smart. For law, I first scored a D, and now an A! I’m 100% sure that I’ll pass all the courses I study with Study Smart.
I always thought I studied well. My grades were fine. I could never have imagined that applying these study skills would have such a huge and direct impact on my grades, my speed and the pleasure I have in learning.
For the first time, I finally feel totally confident about the way I learn. I have the perfect overview and make great progress in terms of speed and the grades I get. Thanks, Chris!
I immediately started to enjoy learning again, and my grades soared. All of a sudden, everything went better. I highly recommend Study Smart to all students..
Being able to create my materials online made the process of studying so much smoother and quicker. I no longer have to spend a huge amount of my time on creating my summaries.
At first, my notes were a mess. Now I use Study Smart to take my notes in a perfectly structured way. It helps me to save a lot of time and do other things I enjoy.
Students that study with Study Smart get better grades. The system applies all the learning methods in such a way that both well-performing students and students who struggle perform much better.
Hi Chris, I would like to thank you very much. Last year I scored C on a course, and this year I got an A+ thanks to your method! Thank you very much!
The largest effect is that my child is more enthusiastic about school! Every parent wants their children to be happy at school, Study Smart made it happen.
In high school, I failed several exams, and that has really changed now. I actually needed this tool very much back then. Since I started studying with StudySmart, I haven't had any D's. My average score is now an A and those are results I would have never had in the past
With my old method, I passed only 3 out of 8 courses. Since I started taking my notes digitally in Study Smart, I have passed all my courses on the first try. For me, StudySmart takes away the stress of wondering if I will pass or not.
Thanks to StudySmart, I passed all my exams, and with better grades than before! On top of that, I have mastered a very good study method now, which I am confident will help me earn my degree.
Why should we use conceptual frameworks
- They allow us to think
- Structure our research
- Avoid misunderstanding
Why we should not use conceptual frameworks
- Might also stop thinking
- Don't look at other aspects anymore (very deductive)
- Create selective views / bias
- Make research less open and flexible to data and world around you (deductive)
Why is a conceptual framework crucial?
- Understand your main RQ/ objective
- Formulate empirical/ subquestion
- Help develop/ select tools for data collection
- Analyse results
- Make your research understandable
What are the steps to create conceptual framework?
- Ask theoretical questions -> mind map concepts in relation to your RQ -> starting point for literature explorations delineation, operationalisation -> then link up to theory
- theory/framework already exist in literature
- multiple theories from literature need to be combined
- Several relevant concepts can be derived from the literature, a model needs to be created
- there is no available framework or it has to emerge from the data
-> more structure -> makes it easier
What is a domain in regards to a RQ
How do you unravel key concepts
The difference between definite concepts and sensitising concepts
- Definite concepts: Clear definitions in terms of attributes, providing a description of what to see
- Sensitising concepts: interpretive devices, suggests directions along which to look
- You use these when you don't want to impose a framework on the situation
What do sensitising concepts help you with?
- Show you in what direction to look
- Are effective in providing an analytical framework
- Help you to a deep understanding of phenomena
Work that they work the same as inductive qualitative analysis
What should conceptual frameworks be:
- Should be considered as a process, rather than a thing
- Evaluated and revised continuously
- Integrated throughout the study
- Knowledge-based
How to link the research objective (RO) and the research question (RQ)
- Use literature
- go back and forth between brainstorming and literature research
- You can not just copy definitions from the literature
What are common pitfalls when it comes to conceptual framework
- Conceptual framework as a summary of theory, rather than integrated throughout
- Unfitting framework
- Conceptual framework = visualisation
Try our study magic for free
a PDF, study it super fast
- No sign up, email or credit card needed!
- AI makes unlimited flashcards
- Get unlimited quizzes and tests
- Ask AI anything
- No sign up, email or credit card needed!
- Have and keep perfect overview
- Make flashcards, notes and mind maps
- Review, test and score!
The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:
- A unique study and practice tool
- Never study anything twice again
- Get the grades you hope for
- 100% sure, 100% understanding
