Dynamics of the Multiple Streams Framework as Scientific Research Program: Addressing Conceptualizations of Emotions

The Multiple Streams Framework (MSF), which addresses ambiguity in the policy process, has significantly developed in recent years (c.f., Zahariadis 1999, Herweg et al. 2017). However, there is lacking a systematic assessment of its development. Therefore, we propose to use Lakatos' theory of scientific research program to provide us a tool to gauge framework’s dynamics. We aim to apply the criteria of the scientific research program to MSF (a stable “hard core,” a changing “protective belt,” dynamics of a “problem-shift”) with focus on its conceptualization of emotions. For this purpose, we analyse MSF core texts (Zahariadis 1999, 2003, 2014; Herweg et al. 2017) using Qualitative Content Analysis. This approach enables us to see shifts and consolidations in the conceptualization of emotions as well as to hint various factors affecting the MSF development. Thus, considering MSF as a scientific research program may also inspire policy scholars to study development of other frameworks and their concepts in a similar way, and therefore, to enhance our understanding dynamics of the policy process research in general.