Flexibility and Interactivity in Constructing the Theoretical Framework for Two Qualitative Studies

This article reflects on the flexibility that characterizes development of the conceptual perspective in qualitative research. Based on two studies conducted by the authors, it shows how the conceptual perspective at the beginning of a study constitutes a sensitizing framework that is refined throughout the research process. Building from Blumer's (1969) methods of exploration and inspection and from grounded theory methodology, examples are given of how some sensitizing concepts were specified, how emerging concepts were incorporated and how the authors attempted to reach conceptual density through integration of the main analytical categories and concepts. Adapted from the source document.