Research Framework

Conceptual Overview and Discussion

After having defined the research objective, and before formulating the set of research questions, the researcher clearly delineates the steps that must been taken during each phase of the research project. These steps sketch in broad outlines the set of subsequent research activities needed to achieve the research objective. In general, three phases can be distinguished.

• The construction of the theoretical framework. This framework consists of the key concepts of the research project and of the assumed relationships between these concepts. In a deductive case study project the theoretical framework takes the form of a conceptual model. In an inductive case study, the researcher develops a set of sensitizing concepts.
• The gathering of the empirical data. To provide the information needed for completing the case study project successfully, the researcher gathers different sets of empirical data, such as people's opinions, the characteristics of the research objects, and additional background information. In deductive case study research data gathering is highly structured by operationalizing the conceptual model. In an inductive case study project the researcher often makes use of open and rather unstructured data gathering techniques.
• The data analysis. In a deductive case study project the data analysis techniques are strictly in accordance with the operationalized conceptual framework. Inductive case study research often makes use of coding techniques. In an inductive case study project the research project will not always be conducted in a linear way. This means that the phases of theory construction, data gathering, and data analysis will often be carried out simultaneously.

In both a deductive and an inductive case study project drafting a neatly arranged research framework can prove to be helpful in defining the exact sets of activities conducted during each phase. Such a research framework is a schematic and highly visualized representation of the subsequent research steps. What is characteristic of the visualization of the research framework is the principle of confrontation, which is fundamentally necessary for drawing conclusions. In Phase (a), the researcher relates different theories in order to be able to construct a conceptual model. During the second phase, Phase (b), this conceptual model is related to the research objects. In Phase (c) the results of analysis are confronted with each other so the researcher can see their similarities and differences. The interpretation of these similarities and differences helps the researcher formulate the conclusions of the research project. Please note that the confrontation and the conclusions drawn from this confrontation are represented by the symbol as visualized in Figure 1, [Page 814]in which the vertical arrow stands for the “confrontation” and the horizontal one stands for “from this can be concluded.”

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