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9 months ago in Qualitative Research By Rutuja Pathare
Is conceptual framework a mandatory thing in qualitative research?
As I develop my proposal, I'm grappling with how much theoretical structure to impose upfront. My inclination is towards phenomenology, which prioritizes bracketing pre-conceptions. I worry that mandating a rigid framework might contradict the philosophical commitment to emergence in some qualitative traditions.
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By Tanya Answered 2 months ago
Based on my experience reviewing and conducting qualitative studies, I would clarify that a theoretical or philosophical stance is non-negotiable you must articulate your epistemological view. However, a tight conceptual framework of predefined variables is not always mandatory. In approaches like grounded theory, your initial framework is intentionally minimal to allow emergence. For phenomenology, your framework is the philosophical tenets guiding your analysis. The key is to be transparent about your starting points and how they inform your engagement with the data.
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