The Medicine Wheel Framework

Framework is the map, outline or plan of a study and can also be regarded as the architectural design of the study which gives a rationale for the development of research questions or hypotheses and consists of various concepts, constructs or variables, and the relations between them that presumably account for a phenomenon. Researchers either use the term conceptual frameworks which as indicated by Green (H. Green, 2014), is used when a concept is the basis of the framework or a theoretical framework which is based on a theory or set of theories. Irrespective of the term used, generally, frameworks assist researchers in making sure that their research is coherent and focused on achieving its intended output. A framework is descriptive and identifies a set of variables and the relations among them that presumably accounts for a set of

For instance, since my research population is Aboriginal peoples, it is imperative that the study is framed by Indigenous teachings in regards to health and well being. As such, my research utilizes the Medicine Wheel which is an Aboriginal culturally appropriate framework of health and well-being (Young et al., 2013) with the underlying belief is that optimum health is holistic. The Medicine wheel is rooted in Aboriginal epistemology and generally assists Aboriginal people in learning methods and practices involved in making decisions, maintaining relationships, handling emotions, learning difficult tasks, and taking responsibility for oneself (Wenger-Nabigon, 2010). The medicine wheel identifies four major variables; mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health and the wheel shows that health and reality is fluid, continuous and holistic. Hence, optimum health in an individual or group of people is possible only when there is a balance of the four