Conceptual Framework QUALITATIVE

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
Miles and Huberman (1994) defined a conceptual

framework as a visual or written product, one that
“explains, either graphically or in narrative form, the
main things to be studied—the key factors,
concepts, or variables—and the presumed
relationships among them” (p. 18).
A variable is any entity that can take
on different values. OK, so what does
that mean? Anything that can vary can
be considered a variable. For instance,
age can be considered a variable
because age can take different values
for different people or for the same
person at different times.
Similarly, country can be considered a
variable because a person's country
can be assigned a value. Because
quantitative research is rooted in the
scientific method, specific terminology
for that process must be
used. Qualitative research, although
very different in its logic and
methodology, it also uses the term
variable, but in slightly different ways.
Qualitative studies often explore variables other
than one specific intervention or influence that
might have affected a subject or sample
group outcome. Similarly, in deep studies of
variables, qualitative methods allow the researcher
to focus on the process of “how something
happens” rather than on just the “outcomes or
results” that would be more characteristic of
quantitative designs.
Since qualitative analysis considers
the multiple realities and perspectives
of individuals, it looks at multiple
variables, often in the same study. It
emphasizes the importance of looking
at variables in the natural setting in
which they are found. Interaction
between variables is important in the
conclusions of qualitative studies.
Variables are defined in qualitative
studies as:
An independent variable is
manipulated in a study by you, nature,
society, etc. It can be any aspect of
the environment that is investigated
for the purpose of examining its
influence on the dependent variable.
•A dependent variable is measured
in a study. This variable is not
manipulated by the researcher, but
is affected by the independent
variable.
•An experimental or treatment group is the
group that receives the influence
of the independent variable, and differs
from the control group in the
dependent variable.
https://www.bcps.org/offices/lis/researchcou
rse/develop_writing_method_qualitative_var
iables.html
A concept map of a theory is a visual display of
that theory—a picture of what the theory says is
going on with the phenomenon you’re studying.
These maps do not depict the study itself, nor
are they a specific part of either a research
design or a proposal. However, concept maps
can be used to visually present the design or
operation of a study—my model of research
design (Figure 1.1) is just such a map.
Rather, concept mapping is a tool for developing
and presenting the conceptual framework for
your design. And like a theory, a concept map
consists of two things: concepts and the
relationships among these. These are usually
represented, respectively, as labeled circles or
boxes and as arrows or lines connecting these.
RATIONALE FOR CONCEPT MAPS
1.To pull together, and make visible,
what your implicit theory is, or to
clarify an existing theory. This can
allow you to see the implications
of the theory, its limitations, and
its relevance for your study.
RATIONALE FOR CONCEPT MAPS
2. To develop theory. Like memos,
concept maps are a way of
“thinking on paper”; they can
help you see unexpected
connections, or to identify holes
or contradictions in your theory
and figure out ways to resolve
these.
DRAWING CONCEPT MAPS
There are also different kinds of concept
maps, with different purposes;
these include the following:
a. An abstract framework mapping the

relationship among concepts
b. A flowchart-like account of events and
how you think these are connected
c. A causal network of variables or
influences
d. A treelike diagram of the meanings
of words (e.g., Miles & Huberman,
1994, p. 133)
e. A Venn diagram, representing
concepts as overlapping circles (e.g.,
Miles & Huberman,
1994, p. 249)
VENN DIAGRAM
First
Wave
Third Second
Wave Wave

Conceptual Framework QUALITATIVE

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What are variables and how are they defined in qualitative research?

What is the difference between independent and dependent variables?

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Miles and Huberman (1994) defined a conceptual

a. An abstract framework mapping the

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