Developing a Conceptual Framework for Assessing Community-Based Thrifts for Self-Help Housing Projects in Bauchi State, North East Nigeria

Abstract

The development of conceptual framework has become a necessary component of postgraduate studies especially in the built environment and allied disciplines. However, the development of such frameworks is highly challenging to postgraduate students, upcoming researchers and supervisors. This paper attempts at presenting a generic process for developing a conceptual framework for postgraduate studies in the built environment using thrift associations for self-help housing. The study therefore presents a conceptual framework for assessing the suitability of community-based thrifts for self-help housing. Being ongoing doctoral research, the purpose of the conceptual framework is to use it for the study and to serve as a guide to upcoming researchers. The conceptual framework is based on extensive review of related literature in the area of thrift associations. It begins with exploring related theories and identified essential variables of thrift associations. The paper described some forms of thrift associations, major factors influencing thrifts as well as the basic elements that influence the effectiveness of thrift associations in the execution of self-help housing projects. The study concludes that, when necessary, questions are asked and the answers obtained are in the affirmative, such thrift associations would be suitable for self-help housing.