Definition of Conceptual Framework

A conceptual framework represents the researchers synthesis of literature on how to

explain a phenomenon. It maps out the actions required in the course of the study given
his previous knowledge of other researchers point of view and his observations on the
subject of research.
In other words, the conceptual framework is the researchers understanding of how the
particular variables in his study connect with each other. Thus, it identifies the
variables required in the research investigation. It is the researchers map in pursuing
the investigation.
As McGaghie et al. (2001) put it: The conceptual framework sets the stage for the
presentation of the particular research question that drives the investigation being
reported based on the problem statement. The problem statement of a thesis presents
the context and the issues that caused the researcher to conduct the study.
The conceptual framework lies within a much broader framework called theoretical
framework. The latter draws support from time-tested theories that embody the findings
of many researchers on why and how a particular phenomenon occurs.

Step by Step Guide on How to Make the Conceptual

Framework
Before you prepare your conceptual framework, you need to do the following things:
1.

Choose your topic. Decide on what will be your research topic. The
topic should be within your field of specialization.
2.
Do a literature review. Review relevant and updated research on the
theme that you decide to work on after scrutiny of the issue at hand.
Preferably use peer-reviewed and well-known scientific journals as these
are reliable sources of information.
3.
Isolate the important variables. Identify the specific variables
described in the literature and figure out how these are related. Some
abstracts contain the variables and the salient findings thus may serve the
purpose. If these are not available, find the research papers summary. If
the variables are not explicit in the summary, get back to the methodology
or the results and discussion section and quickly identify the variables of
the study and the significant findings. Read the TSPU Technique on how to
skim efficiently articles and get to the important points without much fuss.
4.
Generate the conceptual framework. Build your conceptual
framework using your mix of the variables from the scientific articles you
have read. Your problem statement serves as a reference in constructing
the conceptual framework. In effect, your study will attempt to answer a

question that other researchers have not explained yet. Your research
should address a knowledge gap.

Example of a Conceptual Framework

Statement number 5 introduced in an earlier post titled How to Write a Thesis
Statement will serve as the basis of the illustrated conceptual framework in the
following examples.
Thesis statement: Chronic exposure to blue light from LED screens (of computer
monitors and television) deplete melatonin levels thus reduce the number of sleeping
hours among middle-aged adults.
The study claims that blue light from the light emitting diodes (LED) inhibit the
production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep and wake cycles. Those
affected experience insomnia; they sleep less than required (usually less than six
hours), and this happens when they spend too much time working on their laptops or
viewing the television at night.

Fig
. 1 The research paradigm illustrating the researchers conceptual framework.
Notice that the variables of the study are explicit in the paradigm presented in Figure 1.
In the illustration, the two variables are 1) number of hours devoted in front of the
computer, and 2) number of hours slept at night. The former is the independent variable
while the latter is the dependent variable. Both of these variables are easy to measure.
It is just counting the number of hours spent in front of the computer and the number of
hours slept by the subjects of the study.
Assuming that other things are constant during the performance of the study, it will be
possible to relate these two variables and confirm that indeed, blue light emanated from
computer screens can affect ones sleeping patterns. (Please read the article titled Do

you know that the computer can disturb your sleeping patterns? to find out
more about this phenomenon) A correlation analysis will show whether the relationship
is significant or not.

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Regoniel, Patrick A.

MARCH 17, 2016 AT 4:01 AM

Dear Amirah, thats a good study. Job satisfaction has many dimensions. Just
focus on some variables which you can measure in your study and put them
in your conceptual framework as your independent variables that influence
job satisfaction as dependent variable. You may then use job satisfaction as
the independent variable to predict work performance as dependent variable
(as Dole rates it). For example, company wage rates >job satisfaction >
job performance
I hope that helps.
REPLY

http://simplyeducate.me/2015/01/05/conceptual-framework-guide/

Write a Narrative
Not all conceptual frameworks have to include a diagram or graphic. You can
present the same information by writing a narrative. Your narrative should
summarize the variables influencing your research and explore how they may
change your hypothesis. The narrative should also explain the basic
methodology for your research. Even if you include a diagram in your conceptual
framework, a narrative should also be included explaining these details for those
who prefer more in-depth information. Use bolded headers to separate the
sections of your narrative and to create a visual hierarchy of information.

Return and Revise

As you begin your research, you may find that certain elements of your
conceptual framework no longer work. You may discover new variables, or you
may learn that your hypothesis is incorrect. You may find additional research
that challenges your own theory. You should return to your framework and revise
it as necessary. The document is not fixed in stone. It should be considered an
adaptable guide as you work through your thesis. It should be seen as a partner
to your thesis and should be updated as necessary.

Sponsored links
http://education.seattlepi.com/make-conceptual-framework-thesis-7029.html

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The theoretical framework of a thesis: what and

how?
Date published October 14, 2015 by Sarah Vinz Date updated: February 8, 2016

Table of contents
1.
The goal of a theoretical framework
2.
How to determine the contents of a theoretical framework
3.
What kinds of research questions can you answer within a theoretical
framework?
4.
The structure of the theoretical framework
5.
How long should the theoretical framework be?
6.
Sample theoretical framework
7.
Checklist theoretical framework
8.
Additional checklist points if you are analyzing existing knowledge within your
field of research

The theoretical framework is one of the more infamous components of a

thesis. A good theoretical framework gives you a strong scientific research
base and provides support for the rest of your thesis. But what exactly is a
theoretical framework? And how do you write one?

The goal of a theoretical framework

After you have identified your problem statement and research question(s),
it is important to determine what theories and ideas exist in relation to your
chosen subject.
By presenting this information, you frame your research and show that you
are knowledgeable about the key concepts, theories, and models that relate
to your topic.
The definitions and models you select also give your research direction, as
you will continue to build on these choices in different stages of your project.
The theoretical framework also provides scientific justification for your
investigation: it shows that your research is not just coming out of the
blue, but that it is both grounded in and based on scientific theory.

How to determine the contents of a theoretical framework

As noted above, it is important that you cite existing theories and ideas that
are relevant to your chosen topic within the theoretical framework. This
includes defining key terms from your problem statement and research
questions/hypotheses. An important first step is therefore to identify these
concepts.
1. Select key concepts
Sample problem statement and research questions: Company X is
struggling with the problem that many online customers do not return to
make subsequent purchases. Management wants to increase customer
loyalty and believes that improved customer satisfaction will play a major
role in achieving this goal. To investigate this problem, you have identified
and plan to focus on the following problem statement, objective, and
research questions:
Problem: Many online customers do not return to make subsequent
purchases.
Objective: To increase customer loyalty and thereby generate more
revenue.
Research question: How can the satisfaction of company Xs online
customers be improved in order to increase customer loyalty?
Sub-questions:
1.

What is the relationship between customer loyalty and costumer

satisfaction?
2. How satisfied and loyal are company Xs online costumers currently?
3. What factors affect the satisfaction and loyalty of company Xs online
costumers?

The concepts of customer loyalty and customer satisfaction are critical to

this study and will be measured as part of the research. As such they are
key concepts to define within the theoretical framework.
2. Define and evaluate relevant concepts, theories, and models

A literature review is first used to determine how other researchers have

defined these key concepts. You should then critically compare the
definitions that different authors have proposed. The last step is to choose
the definition that best fits your research and justify why this is the case.
It is also important to indicate if there are any notable links between these
concepts.
Apart from that, you should describe any relevant theories and models that
relate to your key concepts and argue why you are or are not applying them
to your own research.
3. Consider adding other elements to your theoretical framework
Depending on your topic or discipline, a comprehensive review of the state
of affairs in relation to your research topic may also be helpful to include in
your theoretical framework.
Here its important to understand the expectations of your supervisor or
program in advance. Theoretical problems are more likely to require a state
of affairs overview than more practical problems.
Analyzing the research field will give you an idea of what similar studies
have looked at and found regarding the problem. This will clarify the position
of your research in relation to existing knowledge in the field.
Following these steps will help to ensure that you are presenting a solid
overview:

Describe what discussions on the subject exist within the literature.

Explain what methods, theories, and models other authors have applied. In
doing so, always argue why a particular theory or model is or is not
appropriate for your own research.
Analyze the similarities and differences between your own research and
earlier studies.
Explain how your study adds to knowledge that already exists on the subject.

What kinds of research questions can you answer within a

theoretical framework?
The theoretical framework can be used to answer descriptive research
questions that only require literature (or desk) research. For example,

theory alone is sufficient to answer the research question: What is the

relationship between customer loyalty and customer satisfaction?.
In contrast, sub-questions such as How satisfied are company Xs online
customers currently? cannot be answered in the theoretical framework,
given that field research is needed.
The theoretical framework (and the literature review that serves as its
backbone) can also be used to further analyze existing findings and
hypotheses. It may also be used to formulate and evaluate hypotheses of
your own, which you can later test during the qualitative or quantitative
research of your study.

The structure of the theoretical framework

There are no fixed rules for structuring a theoretical framework. The
important thing is to create a structure that is logical. One way to do this is
to draw on your research questions/hypotheses and some of your key terms.
For example, you could create a section or paragraph that looks at each
question, hypothesis, or key concept. Within that text, you could then
explore the theories and models that are relevant to that particular item.

How long should the theoretical framework be?

The rules about length are not clear either, but a theoretical framework is on
average three to five pages long.
To makes things clearer, you might find it useful to include models or other
graphics within the theoretical framework. However, if you are concerned
about space, you can place these illustrations in an appendix (which you can
then refer to in the main text).

Sample theoretical framework

We have prepared a sample theoretical framework that will give you a sense
of what this important part of a thesis may look like.