n d r e l e v a nt

a r i g o ro u s a
A gu i d e to

RESEARCH PROCESS
(or in search of coherence)

REALITY THEORY CONCEPTUAL

FRAMEWORK*
Our view of reality is "An explanation of why "Is an argument about
based on ontological things work the way why the topic to study
assumptions about its they do, usually matters,
nature. identifying and and why the means
examining relationships proposed to study it are
Spiritual among things." appropriate and rigorous."

Social Co-created Maps of reality *Constructed by researcher,

through striving for (not found)
Physical intersubjective verisimilitude Integrative and evolving
agreements

Personal interest and goals

Identity and positionality

Literature review

Research questions

Research design

Data collection

Data analysis

Reporting and explaining ndings

[1]THE CONCEPT

GUIDE BALLAST LENSES

"... conceptual framework is both a guide "... is a lens, or
and a ballast for empirical research, better, a set of
situating specific questions and strategies lenses, for making
for exploring within the wider universe of sense of these
what is already known about a given topic things..." p. 114
or question..." p. xv

PATH LOOM ECOSYSTEM

"At the end of the "Like the loom on "... a
path is what you which fabric is methodological
want to show them woven, general ecosystem in which
-your empirical assumptions and the creative work
study, as defined interpretative of research takes
and framed by your frameworks hold place." p. 18
research qualitative research
questions." p. 70 together." p. 41

ARGUMENT
"A series of
sequenced, logical
propositions the
purpose of which
is to ground the
study and convince
readers of the
study's importance
and rigor." p. 5

[2]THE PROCESS
Research to practice

WHY?
NOW WHAT?
1. Personal goals +
interests

9. Communication
Co Academic + others
2. Identity & positionality m
Critically conceptualized m
n un
and carefully articulated ti o ic
personal connection to i z a at
a l io
the work. p tu n
c e
on
C

8. Findings
Extension
3. Lit review* of the
Decision and argument
meaning making. and
*Not a product, rather an feedback
iterative process.
loop to
strength
and
improve it.
Collaboration

4. Research Design & 7. Data analysis

questions Fieldwork A series of choices of
how to interact with
data.
5. Research design
Sets goals, identies
context and denes
methodological approach.
Transparent. 6. Data collection
HOW?

AT IV E
L T E R N I O N
A N TA T
R E S E
RE P

Interests
Lit review Design Fieldwork Research
document
Positionality

[3]THE EXAMPLE
What would be the
most relevant What could be the role
theoretical of youth and/or
frameworks? How to teacher research
balance international collaboration?
and national
literature?

Wichi, Argentinian,
South American,
American, women,
mother, bah', What are some of the key elements for
educadora, researcher. effective and transformative educational
Need to further experiences in/by indigenous communities?
conceptualize identity.

[4]THE END
"Reason without rigor is editorializing;
rigor without reason is irrelevant." p. 218
Based on personal reading and collaborative discussion of Ravitch, S. & Riggan, M. (2017). Reason & Rigor. How Conceptuals
Frameworks Guide Research, 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. All quotes by them, except loom by Creswell, J. & Poth, C.
(2017). Qualitative Inquiry & Research Design. Choosing Among Five Approaches, 4th ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Earth
picture by Nasa Goddard Space Flight Center, NC. Argument map picture from Whately (1852) Elements of Logic, PDM.
Prepared for the EDS 296 RAC Course, UCSD, Fall 2017.