Editing Conceptual framework (section)

== Types ==
Several types of conceptual frameworks have been identified,<ref name="ShieldsRangarajan2013"/><ref name="Shields1998"/><ref name="ShieldsTravis2017">{{citation |last1=Shields |first1=Patricia |author1-link=Patricia M. Shields |last2=Whetsell |first2=Travis |year=2017 |chapter=Public Administration Methodology: A Pragmatic Perspective |editor-last1=Raadshelders |editor-first1=Jos |editor-last2=Stillman |editor-first2=Richard |title=Foundations of Public Administration |pages=75–92 |publisher=Melvin and Leigh |isbn=978-0-9973-0842-6 |chapter-url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/311511761}}</ref> and line up with a research purpose in the following ways:
* [[Working hypothesis]] – [[exploration]] or [[exploratory research]]<ref>Casula, M., Rangarajan, N. & Shields, P. The potential of working hypotheses for deductive exploratory research. ''Qual Quant'' (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-020-01072-9</ref>
* Pillar questions – [[exploration]] or [[exploratory research]]
* Descriptive categories – [[description]] or [[descriptive research]]
* Practical ideal type –  gauging<ref>Shields, P. M., Casula, M., & Rangarajan, N. (2025). The Case for Gauging as a Research Purpose in Public Administration: Connecting Purpose, Frameworks, Design, and Norms in Applied Research. Administration & Society, 57(2), 281-309. (https://www.academia.edu/127152003/The_Case_for_Gauging_as_a_Research_Purpose_in_Public_Administration_Connecting_Purpose_Frameworks_Design_and_Norms_in_Applied_Research)</ref>
* Models of [[operations research]] – [[decision making]]
* Formal hypothesis – [[explanation]]  and [[prediction]]

Note that Shields and Rangarajan (2013) do not claim that the above is the only framework-purpose pairing. Nor do they claim the system is applicable to [[Inductive reasoning|inductive]] forms of empirical research. Rather, the conceptual framework-research purpose pairings they propose are useful and provide new scholars a point of departure to develop their own [[research design]].<ref name="ShieldsRangarajan2013"/>

Frameworks have also been used to explain [[conflict theory]] and the balance necessary to reach what amounts to a resolution. Within these conflict frameworks, visible and invisible variables function under concepts of relevance. Boundaries form and within these boundaries, tensions regarding laws and chaos (or freedom) are mitigated. These frameworks often function like cells, with sub-frameworks, stasis, evolution and revolution.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Moorstein |first1=Mark |title=Frameworks, Conflict in Balance |date=June 2004 |publisher=[[iUniverse]] |isbn=978-0-5953-1824-7}}</ref> [[Anomalistics|Anomalies]] may exist without adequate "lenses" or "filters" to see them and may become visible only when the tools exist to define them.<ref>[[Thomas Kuhn]]. (1996) ''[[The Structure of Scientific Revolutions]]''</ref>