Conceptual

Framework
 Intended Learning Outcome

1. Explain the meaning of conceptual framework;

2. Clarify the difference between a conceptual framework
and a theoretical framework;
3. Justify the essence of a conceptual framework;
4. Write a conceptual framework applying the guidelines on
doing this important aspect of the research.
Definition of Conceptual Framework
Research is an academic activity that requires a great deal of abstraction or
information of concepts or ideas in your mind about things in your
surroundings. This activity, in all its stages, immerses you into performing
varied higher-order thinking strategies of interpreting, criticizing, applying,
and creating. As a result of mental conceptions and holistic viewing,
research has to appear understandable to people who are enthusiastic to
read the research findings. Owing to the cognitive-based nature of this
scholarly academic work called research, you need a certain scheme or
detailed plan or system to explain the components of the research including
the relationships of these research including the relationships of these
research features.
Wanting to make clear the ins and outs of your research in a
nutshell, you resort to making a conceptual framework of your
study. 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. It is a graph or non-prose material, specifically, a
schematic diagram that shows a well-ordered elements of the
research. As a carefully constructed arrangement of the
components of your study, conceptual framework is a broad
outline or plan to give shape to your research (Shields &
Rangarajan,2013)
Purposes of Conceptual Framework
Conceptual framework shows the organization, order, and
direction of your research study. It is an essential initial activity
of your research because by means of a schematic diagram,
explained verbally as well, it enables the readers to obtain a
general understanding of the research. It gives people a notion
on the research activities you want to perform, on the manner
you want to carry these activities out, and on the knowledge you
have to prove your familiarity with your research topic or
research problem. It also clarifies concepts and their
relationships with one another in a research study.
 Concept map
Made up of varied figures: lines, circles, boxes, and other marks
or symbols representing your concepts on these varied features
of your research-research question, review or related literature,
research methodology, and variables, among others-a conceptual
framework looks like a map showing the main features of a plan
or project plus the relationship between or among the features of
variables in the research. Through the proper connection of lines
and pointing of arrows to boxes and other codes symbolizing
your concepts about the research, the readers can visualize a
comprehensive picture of your study.
 Ideational Function

Interpersonal Function Systematic Textual Function

Functional
Grammar
Research Problem or Topic:

“Improving Critical Thinking

Trough systematic Functional
Grammar” Critical Thinking
Systematic Functional Grammar or SFG is a modern language
theory which states that man’s critical thinking increases
whenever he uses language for these reasons: first, for ideational
function or for knowledge acquisition; second, for interpersonal
function or creating human relationships; and third, for textual
function or for strategic and coherent expression of ideas. In this
case, the independent variables are the SFG components
(ideational, interpersonal, and textual functions) and the
dependent variable is critical thinking. The foregoing conceptual
framework presents the concepts underlying this study (Ravich
& Riggan, 2012).
 Conceptual Framework vs. Theoretical
Framework
All your plans, concepts, or ideas about the many aspects of your
research are shown and clarified and verbally in the conceptual
framework. However, looking so broad or numerous, all
components of the study, concrete and abstract, are not
extensively and thoroughly explained by the conceptual
framework. Hence, there is this other part of your research paper
called theoretical framework that gives and explains the theories,
principles, generalizations, and research findings which have
some connection to your research study.
Conceptual framework enables the readers to
clearly see in their minds the basic structure of the
research and the relationships of variables and other
factual things involved in the study. Theoretical
framework, on the other hand, makes people know
and understand evidence-based truths, concepts,
speculations, and assumptions underlying each
aspect of the research and the relationships of these
research features with one another.
An in-depth knowledge of the theoretical principles governing
or controlling the things involved in the research makes you
think well and accurately of the varied aspects of your study,
thereby giving you the chance to have a better view of not only
the main problem of your research but also of its other
components. You get to read in the theoretical framework the
basis of or foundation of the research; in the conceptual
framework, the broad outline plan to carry out the research on
the basis of the theories, principles, or generalizations proven
true by facts and logical reasoning (Shields & Rangarajan, 2013;
Walliman, 2014)
 Pointers in Writing a Conceptual Framework

1. Familiarize yourself with the objective of the conceptual

framework.
2. Base the contents of the conceptual framework on your
understanding of the elements and the relationships of the
research features.
3. See to it that all aspects of the conceptual framework for
comments of feedback for improvement purposes.
 Neoza Jane T. Copez
Catherine Y. Longakit
PREPARED BY; Stephanie Florido
Brylle Louie Amoroto
Jerald Guiruela
Stephen Isanan