A Conceptual Framework for Operational Definition of Content

Content is a term that has been highly regarded by researchers and practitioners of different fields, to the extent that it has been referred to the King. However, different researchers have approached the definition of content from a specific point of view so that such differences in conceptions and definitions sometimes lead to controversies. So the main question is taken into consideration in this study is: What is really content?. In order to answer this question, in this study after identifying the different definitions of this term in different contexts, based on comparative evaluation method, these definitions are compared. After that, based on analysis of these results, a conceptual framework called (3C) is proposed for describing the process of content creation and integrating content definitions. This framework, through a simple but efficient representation, intends to offer an operational definition of content which can be used in all fields of research and practice. According to this framework, content is a subjective creation in the mind of work creator which has different expressions and manifestations. It is transferred through appropriate conduits to the respective conduitee by being placed in containers of different kinds like product, service, or procedure. The framework indicates that the concept of content is the outcome of multiple processes malfunctioning one of which renders it meaningless. Then, in order to validate the proposed framework, it has been interpreted in five different contexts. The result of this analysis shows that the proposed framework is valid. In the end, as suggestions for the future, questions have been raised that researchers can respond to them in order to develop this framework.