Reason and Rigor : How Conceptual Frameworks Guide Research

by Sharon M. Ravitch

• ISBN13: 9781412981255
• ISBN10: 1412981255
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-09-15
• Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc

Summary

Reason and Rigor aims to help students and other researchers understand the functional, comprehensive role of conceptual frameworks in organizing and guiding their empirical research. We view the development of conceptual frameworks as a process through which researchers identify the questions and lines of inquiry that matter most to them, develop appropriate strategies for pursuing those questions, and monitor and reflect on their own learning and thinking as the research unfolds. As a result, readers of this book will learn how to use existing knowledge (theory, methods, and empirical research) in conjunction with your own interests and observations to ask better questions, develop robust and justifiable strategies for exploring those questions, and explain both the importance and limitations of your findings.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. xi
Preface	p. xiii
About the Authors	p. xxi
Introduction	p. 1
Conceptual Frameworks Explored and Defined	p. 6
Defining and Situating Conceptual Frameworks: Concluding Thoughts	p. 14
Why Conceptual Frameworks?	p. 15
What (and Where) Is Theory?	p. 16
The Many Levels of Theory: A Thought Experiment	p. 17
Whose Theory Is It, and Where Does It Come From?	p. 19
What Is a Literature Review, and What Is It for?	p. 21
The Case for Conceptual Frameworks: Concluding Thoughts	p. 26
Excavating Questions: Conceptual Frameworks and Research Design	p. 29
"Excavating" Research Questions	p. 29
About the Author	p. 30
Background and Context: An Overview of the Work in Focus	p. 31
Spillane, J. E (2002). "Local Theories of Teacher Change: The Pedagogy of District Policies and Programs"	p. 34
The Argument	p. 39
Conceptual Frameworks and Research Design	p. 42
The Coevolution of Conceptual Frameworks and Research Design	p. 46
Conceptual Frameworks and Research Design: Concluding Thoughts	p. 48
The Role of the Conceptual Framework in Data Collection and Fieldwork	p. 51
Who You Are, How You Think, and What You Study	p. 52
About the Author	p. 53
Background and Context: An Overview of the Work in Focus	p. 54
Fine, M., & Sirin, S. R. (2007). "Theorizing Hyphenated Selves: Researching Youth Development in and Across Contentious Political Contexts"	p. 60
The Argument	p. 65
Hyphenated Selves as a Theoretical Framework	p. 67
The Hyphen as Method: Positionality and Practice	p. 69
Conceptual Frameworks and Fieldwork: Concluding Thoughts	p. 76
Conceptual Frameworks and the Analysis of Data	p. 81
Examining the Influence of an Ever-Emerging Conceptual Framework	p. 82
About the Author	p. 82
Background and Context: An Overview of the Work in Focus	p. 83
Erickson, F. (1996). "Going for the Zone: The Social and Cognitive Ecology of Teacher-Student Interaction in Classroom Conversations"	p. 86
The Argument	p. 95
From Argument to Analysis	p. 97
Transcription as Data Analysis	p. 98
Evolving and Shifting Frameworks of Analysis	p. 101
Conceptual Frameworks and Data Analysis: Concluding Thoughts	p. 105
Expanding the Conversation, Extending the Argument: The Role of Conceptual Frameworks in Presenting, Explaining, and Contextualizing Findings	p. 107
About the Author	p. 109
Background and Context: An Overview of the Work in Focus	p. 109
Being in Conversation With Theory: Influences on Thought and Action	p. 111
Spencer, M., Dupree, D., & Hartmann, T. (1997). 'A Phenomenological Variant of Ecological Systems Theory (PVEST): A Self-Organizational Perspective in Context"	p. 113
The Argument	p. 124
Presenting and Discussing Findings	p. 126
Using Findings to Contextualize and Extend the Argument	p. 127
Learning From Surprises: How Findings	p. 126
Reshape Conceptual Frameworks	p. 129
Conclusion	p. 132
The Conceptual Framework as Guide and Ballast	p. 135
Developing a Conceptual Framework	p. 142
Starting Points: Self and Audience	p. 143
Making-and Breaking-Your Plans	p. 145
The Conversation: From Listening to Speaking	p. 146
Strategies and Exercises for Developing Conceptual Frameworks	p. 147
Identifying Your Interests, Beliefs, and Motivations for Doing Research	p. 148
Examination of the "Conversations Already Happening"	p. 148
Ongoing Questions and Concerns About the Research	p. 149
Concept Maps	p. 151
Research Memos	p. 153
Research Journal	p. 156
Reason & Rigor	p. 158
References	p. 161
Author Index	p. 167
Subject Index	p. 171
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