Practical Research 2

Module No. 6

Conceptual Framework and Defining the Key

Terminologies

Introduction

The conceptual framework as a researcher’s blueprint on the activities to be carried out

It is about time to plot the activities that you, as a researcher, will carry out upon
conducting a study. Anything we desire to discover is easily uncovered through proposing
possible plans and organizing the things we need. Additionally, if we tend to put a clear picture
of our plans before we begin in attaining our goal, everything will just go smoothly because we
already know our target.

In this module we will be acquainted regarding the use of conceptual frameworks in

conducting a study. We will be able to know what does it mean, how important it is, how does it
differ from the usually linked concept, and what are the things to consider in order for you to
construct a clear conceptual framework. At the end of the module, you will be able to construct
your own study paradigm (following your approved topic) and explain the components that you
reflected on your own generated framework.
Objectives
After this module, you should be able to:

 Define conceptual framework

 Illustrate the importance of

 Differentiate theoretical from conceptual framework

 Familiarize the tips in writing conceptual framework

 Construct the research conceptual framework

Learn About It
A. The Conceptual Framework Definition

In conducting research, it is inevitable to encounter a huge amount of

concepts and ideas for you to organize. These ideas, must turn out to be easily
understood by those people who are enthusiastic to witness the findings in your
paper. Having the complexity of your plans for your research which include all the
underlying aspects of it, the need of organizing the components as well as how
you make connections to them arises.
As cited by Baraceros (2016), “A conceptual framework is a graphical
presentation of your concepts or ideas on the basic structure or components
of your research as well as on the relationships of these elements with one
another.”

Take a look at the sample Conceptual Framework used in the study “The
Use of SMDRR Strategy for Reading Comprehension in Philippine
Literature” by Macapagal et. al. (2019)

Looking at the framework above, the researchers indicated the most

important components of their research. As seen, they wanted to check the use
of SMDRR (yellow box) by conducting pretest and post-test (blue boxes). There
are two arrows connecting both the tests which shows their relationship between
each other. The data gathered through the tests will be analyzed and the
researchers would come up with the implications of the said strategy (green box).
 Essential Questions:
1. What is conceptual framework?
2. What are the essential components that need to be included in your conceptual
framework?
B. The Significance of Using Conceptual Framework

Clarity on research
proceedings

Conceptual Framework Graphically and verbally

Overview about the plans

that will be carried out

What is the importance of having a conceptual framework in a study? As

mentioned, a conceptual framework reflects the clarity of your research proceedings
or the direction of your study. A conceptual framework is also explained verbally
in order for the readers to obtain full understanding of what the steps will be or how will
the outcome be extracted by the steps included in your conceptual framework.
Furthermore, having a conceptual framework is giving the readers a clear
perspective on the plans you want to carry out. Given the example on the first part of
the discussion, you have seen that the sample conceptual framework conducted a
pretest and post-test. By showing that on the paradigm of their study, readers easily
understood that they executed those activities to have the results they wanted.
According to Martiskova (n.d.), having a conceptual framework does not only
bring out the ‘what’ of the research but also the ‘why.’ Basically, a conceptual framework
reflects what a research will be needing along the progress. Additionally, it will also be
able to make a researcher why does he need to perform the activities he conceptualized
in his framework. This will give him a realization of why does he need to do all those;
thus, he will think of the importance of the study concerning his target/s.
 What is a Concept Map?
A concept map is made up of lines or arrows to show connections within the
components of a research. Moreover, it contains shapes. For example, if there are three
variables connected with each other, a triangle may be used to illustrate their
relationship. By effectively using arrows and connecting the shapes (with label/s), the
readers would be able to create an overall picture of how a research would be
conducted.

Essential Questions:
 1. Why is there a need to put a conceptual framework?
2. What could possibly happen if there is no provided conceptual framework in a
study?
3. Is a concept map different from a graphical presentation in a conceptual
framework?
C. Theoretical Framework vs. Conceptual Framework

Theoretical Framework Conceptual Framework

Theoretical Framework Conceptual Framework

makes the readers gives a clear insight on the
understand the truth minds of the readers
presented with evidences, about the factual things
assumptions, that will be seen
speculations, and throughout the study. It
Biohjldhs
concepts that are also reflects the basic
underlying the aspects of structure of the research
a study and how these as well as how the
things relate with each variables are connected
other. with each other.

Essential Questions:
1. How do you define Theoretical Framework in your own words?
2. How do you define Conceptual Framework in your own words?
3. What is/are the difference/s of conceptual framework from theoretical
framework?

D. Four Major Tips in Writing a Conceptual Framework

As a researcher, you have to familiarize the goals set in your

1 conceptual framework. Ask yourself, what is/are my objective/s in
 having this conceptual framework?

You have to consider the way you understand your research

2 components and how they are connected with each other upon
constructing your conceptual framework.

Make it sure that all the aspects of the conceptual framework falls on
3 the objective of your study.

Seek for a professional help and let it be checked for comments and
4 further improvements.

Essential Questions:
1. Why is there a need to consider the objectives of the study when constructing a
conceptual framework?
2. Is it possible to have a conceptual framework that does not reflect the research
objective/s?

Wrapping Up
 A conceptual framework is a graphical representation of the research structure that
reflects the research components and how they are related to each other.
 It is important to have a conceptual framework because it gives a clear picture to the
Let’s Practice
PART A

Directions: Construct a Conceptual Framework by using the key components in your research.
Use the space below.
PART B

Directions: Formulate a written explanation of your research conceptual framework. Make it

sure that you will explain each of the component present in your framework. Use the blanks
provided below.

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Photo Credits
Fig. 1: Sample conceptual framework by Yahoo Images. Accessed July 27, 2020.

https://images.search.yahoo.com/search/
images;_ylt=AwrgDaPbux1f9xQAI09XNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE0OHZ2Yzk0BGNvbG8DZ3E
xBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDQzAxNTZfMQRzZWMDcGl2cw--?
p=what+is+conceptual+framework&fr2=piv-web&fr=mcafee

Bibliography
Baraceros, Esther. Practical Research 2 (1st Edition). Manila, Philippines: REX Book Store,
2016.

Martiskova, Jana (n.d). Purpose Conceptual Framework. Accessed July 26, 2020.
https://www.dissertation-help.co.uk/purpose-conceptual-framework/

Northcentral University (2017). The Conceptual Framework. Accessed July 27, 2020.
https://commons.ncu.edu/sites/default/files/entity/paragraph/2019/
the_conceptual_framework.pdf