The concept of doctrine has existed for over a century and is still up for debate and research. A confusion about the meaning and the use of doctrine as a concept was identified. Several different definitions of the concept have been observed and some of them presents that doctrine is a belief system, institutionalized beliefs, principles how to fight or an instruction this has therefore created a conceptual confusion.
By examining the three foremost doctrinal researchers who examine the concept of doctrine in the modern time, the aim of the essay is to through Gerring's conceptual theory Good Concepts increase the understanding and meaning of the concept in the present and see which definition is the most sustainable.
The result of the study showed that one of the perspectives on doctrine increased the definition and the meaning of it. This perspective is clearly described and well defined. It does also give the concept different tools to form a doctrine for special actions and uses. Gerring’s theory as a model contributed with a wider understanding and presented the most sustainable of the concept. The outcome also shows disputations around the concept and contributes to increased existing research debate.