Substantive Framework

Table of Contents

A substantive framework is a set of concepts, assumptions, and principles that are used to analyze and understand a particular phenomenon or issue. It provides a theoretical foundation for research, guiding the researcher in selecting relevant variables, determining the relationships between them, and interpreting the data that is collected.

Substantive Framework Methods

Substantive Framework Methods are as follows:

Literature review

A literature review involves a systematic search and analysis of existing research studies and publications related to the research topic. This helps to identify key concepts, variables, and theories that can be used to develop a substantive framework.

Concept mapping

Concept mapping involves identifying key concepts and their relationships to one another, often in the form of a visual diagram or chart. This can help to identify patterns and connections between variables, leading to the development of a substantive framework.

Grounded theory

Grounded theory is a qualitative research method that involves generating theory from data. Researchers collect data through interviews, observations, or other methods, and use the data to develop a substantive framework that is grounded in the data itself.

Delphi method

The Delphi method involves a structured process of gathering and synthesizing expert opinions and feedback. This can be used to develop a substantive framework by identifying key concepts and relationships that are widely accepted and agreed upon by experts in the field.

How to Develop Substantive Framework

To develop a substantive framework for research, you can follow these general steps:

Identify the research question: The first step in developing a substantive framework is to clearly define the research question. This will help to guide the selection of relevant concepts and variables.
Conduct a literature review: Conduct a comprehensive review of the relevant literature to identify the key concepts, theories, and research findings related to the research question.
Identify and define key concepts: Based on the literature review, identify the key concepts and variables that are relevant to the research question. Define these concepts clearly and operationally, so that they can be measured and analyzed.
Develop a conceptual or theoretical framework: Develop a conceptual or theoretical framework that outlines the relationships between the key concepts and variables. This may involve identifying causal relationships, moderating or mediating factors, or other relevant connections.
Refine the framework: Refine the framework based on feedback from experts, further analysis of data, or other factors that may arise during the research process.
Apply the framework: Apply the framework to the research question by selecting appropriate research methods and data collection techniques. Analyze the data using the framework to draw conclusions and make recommendations.

Applications of Substantive Framework

Substantive frameworks have many applications in research, some of which include:

Guiding research design: A substantive framework can provide a clear and structured approach to designing research studies, helping researchers to identify the relevant variables, relationships, and data collection methods.
Focusing research questions: A substantive framework can help to clarify the research question and ensure that it is focused on the key concepts and variables that are most relevant to the topic of study.
Analyzing and interpreting data: A substantive framework can guide the analysis and interpretation of data by providing a theoretical basis for understanding the relationships between variables and identifying patterns or trends in the data.
Facilitating communication and collaboration: A substantive framework can help to facilitate communication and collaboration among researchers and stakeholders by providing a shared understanding of the key concepts and variables related to the research topic.
Informing policy and practice: A substantive framework can provide a basis for informing policy and practice by identifying the key factors that influence a particular phenomenon and guiding the development of evidence-based interventions or solutions.

Examples of Substantive Framework

Here are a few examples of substantive frameworks:

Social ecological framework: This framework is used in public health research to understand the complex interplay between individual behavior, social factors, and environmental factors that influence health outcomes. It identifies multiple levels of influence, including individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and policy factors, and emphasizes the importance of considering the interactions between these levels.
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: This framework is used in psychology and human development to understand the stages of human motivation and behavior. It identifies five levels of human needs, ranging from basic physiological needs (such as food and shelter) to self-actualization needs (such as creativity and personal growth).
Theory of planned behavior: This framework is used in social psychology to understand the factors that influence human behavior. It proposes that behavior is influenced by attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control.
Cognitive-behavioral framework: This framework is used in psychotherapy to understand and treat mental health disorders. It emphasizes the interplay between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and proposes that changing negative thought patterns can lead to positive changes in behavior and emotions.
Sustainable development goals: This framework is used in international development to guide efforts to promote sustainable economic, social, and environmental development. It identifies 17 goals, including poverty reduction, gender equality, climate action, and sustainable cities and communities, and emphasizes the importance of a holistic and integrated approach to development.

When to use Substantive Framework

Substantive frameworks can be useful in many research contexts. Here are a few situations where a substantive framework may be particularly helpful:

Complex research questions: When the research question is complex and involves multiple factors or variables, a substantive framework can provide a structured approach to identifying and analyzing the relevant factors.
Interdisciplinary research: When conducting interdisciplinary research, a substantive framework can help to facilitate communication and collaboration among researchers from different fields by providing a shared theoretical foundation.
Policy or program development: When developing policies or programs aimed at addressing complex social or environmental issues, a substantive framework can help to identify the key factors that influence the issue and guide the development of evidence-based interventions.
Longitudinal studies: When conducting longitudinal studies, a substantive framework can provide a theoretical basis for understanding how factors change over time and how they interact with one another.
Comparative research: When conducting comparative research across different regions or countries, a substantive framework can help to identify the similarities and differences between the factors that influence the research question.

Purpose of Substantive Framework

The purpose of a substantive framework is to provide a theoretical foundation for understanding a particular phenomenon or research question. It helps to identify the key variables, concepts, and relationships that are relevant to the topic of study, and provides a structured approach to selecting appropriate research methods and data collection techniques.

A substantive framework serves several purposes in research, including:

Providing a theoretical foundation: A substantive framework provides a theoretical foundation for understanding the research question or phenomenon being studied. It helps to identify the key concepts, variables, and relationships that are relevant to the topic and provides a framework for organizing and interpreting the data.
Guiding research design: A substantive framework can guide the selection of appropriate research methods and data collection techniques. It can help to identify the most relevant variables to measure and the best methods for measuring them.
Facilitating communication: A substantive framework can help to facilitate communication among researchers and stakeholders by providing a shared understanding of the key concepts and variables related to the research topic. This can help to ensure that all parties involved in the research are on the same page and working toward a common goal.
Informing policy and practice: A substantive framework can inform policy and practice by identifying the key factors that influence a particular phenomenon and guiding the development of evidence-based interventions or solutions.

Advantages of Substantive Framework

There are several advantages of using a substantive framework in research, including:

Provides a theoretical foundation: A substantive framework provides a theoretical foundation for understanding the research question or phenomenon being studied. It helps to identify the key concepts, variables, and relationships that are relevant to the topic and provides a framework for organizing and interpreting the data.
Facilitates communication: A substantive framework can help to facilitate communication among researchers and stakeholders by providing a shared understanding of the key concepts and variables related to the research topic. This can help to ensure that all parties involved in the research are on the same page and working toward a common goal.
Guides research design: A substantive framework can guide the selection of appropriate research methods and data collection techniques. It can help to identify the most relevant variables to measure and the best methods for measuring them.
Promotes rigor: A substantive framework can help to promote rigor in research by ensuring that the research is focused and relevant to the topic at hand. It can help to prevent researchers from collecting irrelevant data or pursuing irrelevant research questions.
Improves generalizability: A substantive framework can improve the generalizability of research findings by providing a theoretical foundation for understanding the research topic. This can help to ensure that the research findings are relevant to other contexts or populations beyond the specific sample being studied.

Limitations of Substantive Framework

While a substantive framework can be a valuable tool in research, there are some limitations to consider, including:

Limited flexibility: A substantive framework can be constraining and limit the researcher’s ability to explore new concepts or factors that may be relevant to the research question. Researchers may feel compelled to fit their research into the framework, even if it may not be the best fit.
Potential for oversimplification: A substantive framework may oversimplify the complexity of the research question by reducing it to a set of pre-determined concepts or variables. This can lead to a lack of nuance in the analysis and interpretation of the data.
Limited generalizability: A substantive framework may be too specific to a particular context or population, limiting the generalizability of the research findings to other contexts or populations.
Potential for bias: A substantive framework may be influenced by the researcher’s own biases and assumptions about the research question, leading to the exclusion of relevant concepts or variables.
Difficulty in development: Developing a substantive framework can be time-consuming and requires expertise in the relevant field of study. It may also require input from multiple stakeholders and disciplines, which can be challenging to coordinate.