🧠 How to Build a Conceptual Framework – From Literature to Visual Model

#ConceptualFramework | #ResearchDesign | #ResearchMitraDay8

---

📌 Why You Need a Conceptual Framework

 

Have you ever tried solving a puzzle without the picture on the box?

That’s exactly what doing research without a conceptual framework feels like.

A conceptual framework is a visual or narrative representation that shows the relationship between key variables or concepts in your research. It’s a roadmap that guides your study.

---

🧱 What Is a Conceptual Framework?

A conceptual framework is developed from existing theories and previous research findings. It explains what you plan to study, why, and how the variables are expected to interact.

It typically includes:

Independent variables (causes or influencers)

Dependent variables (effects or outcomes)

Mediators/moderators (influencers of the relationship)

Arrows to indicate hypothesized relationships

 

---

🎯 Key Objectives of a Conceptual Framework

Goal	Description
🔍 Clarify your research scope	Define exactly what you’re examining
🧩 Link theory with practice	Show how your ideas connect to existing knowledge
🧭 Guide methodology	Help decide your tools, variables, and data collection strategy
🧪 Form hypotheses	Visually represent your assumptions or testable statements

---

🔄 Steps to Build a Conceptual Framework

🧩 Step 1: Identify Key Concepts

From your literature review (Day 7), extract the main variables or constructs.

Example: Customer Satisfaction, Brand Trust, Purchase Intention

📚 Step 2: Review Relevant Theories

Link your variables with theoretical models (e.g., Theory of Planned Behavior, Maslow’s Hierarchy).

🧠 Step 3: Define Relationships

Think:

👉 Which variable affects which?

👉 Are there moderating or mediating variables?

Example: "Customer satisfaction leads to brand trust, which increases purchase intention."

🖼️ Step 4: Draw the Model

Use arrows to show hypothesized relationships among variables.

Label everything clearly. This becomes your visual conceptual framework.

---

🧪 Example: Business Research (Customer Loyalty Study)

Variables:

Service Quality (IV)

Customer Satisfaction (Mediator)

Customer Loyalty (DV)

📌 Hypothesis:

Service Quality → Customer Satisfaction → Customer Loyalty

🎨 Framework Diagram:

          Service Quality → Customer Satisfaction → Customer Loyalty

---

🌍 Example: Social Science Research (Gender Equality in Education)

Variables:

Parental Attitudes (IV)

School Infrastructure (Moderator)

Girl Child Enrollment (DV)

📌 Hypothesis:

Parental Attitudes → Girl Child Enrollment

(Moderated by School Infrastructure)

---

💡 Conceptual vs Theoretical Framework

Feature	Conceptual Framework	Theoretical Framework
Basis	Specific to study context	Rooted in existing theory
Focus	Shows relationships among variables	Explains why those relationships exist
Visual?	Yes, often a diagram	Not necessarily visual

---

🧰 Tools to Create Your Framework

Lucidchart / Canva – Great for visual diagrams

Draw.io – Free and user-friendly

Microsoft PowerPoint / Word – Simple and flexible

SmartArt in MS Office – Quick and structured

---

🧠 Reflect & Apply

📌 Take 3–4 variables from your topic.

Draw arrows between them showing expected relationships.

Ask:

What influences what?

Are there any mediators/moderators?

Share your draft framework or doubts in the comments!

---

🔔 Coming Next:

👉 “Understanding Variables in Research: Types and Role in Hypotheses”