what is conceptual analysis in research

A Guide to Conceptual Analysis Research

Understand how to conduct a more accurate and detailed conceptual analysis research to convert it into a more concrete concept.

There are countless researches, theories, studies and concepts on countless subjects. This is the result of years of collecting data and turning it into informative text. 

There are times when it is necessary to investigate existing theories and concepts in order to gain a better understanding or to bring out more nuances. When it comes to concepts, the best way to approach them is through a conceptual analysis research , which will provide and clarify all possible information, coherent or not, that surrounds this specific concept. 

This article will walk you through how to conduct a more accurate and detailed conceptual analysis research to convert an abstract and ambiguous idea into a more concrete concept.

What is conceptual analysis, and how does it work?

Conceptual Analysis Research can be defined as the examination of a concept into simpler elements to promote clarification while having a consistent understanding; analysis can include distinguishing, analyzing, and representing the various aspects to which the concept refers.

The ultimate goal in general is to improve the conceptual clarity and coherence of careful clarifications and definitions of meaning. Or, on occasion, to expose practical inconsistency.

Preparing a conceptual analysis entails conducting a literature review, identifying the key characteristics or attributes of the concept, identifying its antecedents and consequences, and possibly applying them to a model case.  

How to write a conceptual analysis?

Choose a Concept to Study

First and foremost, determine the concept that will guide the research. Examine specific and interesting areas, then select a field of study for the research, which should be based on a theoretical framework.

And remember, the conceptual analysis is supposed to bring clarity and coherence; the subject chosen must allow this. Avoid subjects that do not allow further clarification, do not have enough data, or are not ambiguous enough to warrant in-depth analysis.

Conduct a Literature Review

An initial review of the literature on the chosen concept can provide countless insights into the concept and hence the researcher can find out whatever is known, not known, or confusing about a concept.

Conduct a review of the literature on your chosen concept from a wide range of disciplines. Instead of focusing solely on the chosen field of study, search for nuances in other disciplines and potential collaborations.

Let’s say the chosen field is medicine, for example, look for psychological, sociological, interpersonal, and any other possible aspects of it. While conducting the literature review, begin by identifying surrogate terms, relevant uses, and inconsistencies in the concept.

Select an Appropriate Sample to Collect Data

There will be a large amount of data to understand and use after conducting a thorough literature review. This step is inestimable since it is so important to be critical during this stage of the process to select the best and more assertive data to analyze and include in the analysis.

It might be useful to inquire whether the authors are “describing the concept the same,” “similarly using the concept,” or “were any inconsistencies available in literature?”. 

Identify Characteristics

Determine the key characteristics or features of your concept. The characteristics of a concept are what makes it true. Assume the concept is a pregnancy, and the fetus’s heartbeat is what makes the pregnancy real, therefore this is the main characteristic of the concept.

Making good use of the concept’s characteristics will result in the operationalization of the concept, which will lead to the selection of a measurement tool.

Assess the Concept Antecedents and Consequences

By definition, antecedents are what initiated the concept, what led to it. While consequences are the results and outcomes, what follows the concept.

This is an important step in dissecting the concept and understanding all of its nuances. This step gives the researchers an idea of how tangible the concept is.

Identify Concepts Related to the Concept of Interest

After defining the concept’s characteristics, antecedents and consequences, it is time to determine whether any related concepts in the literature require clarification.

Again, a critical review of the literature will reveal to the researcher what relevant research has been conducted, any conceptual ambiguity, and the implications for future research.

Construct Cases for Analysis

When doing conceptual analysis research , enrich your analysis by adding cases into the research, which will provide the research with a more concrete understanding of the concept and will aid in the clarification of the research’s direction.

Include a model case, a contrary case, a related case, and a borderline case in the analysis. A model case has all of the concept’s key characteristics, all or most of the defining criteria, and at least one of the antecedents and consequences.

A contrary case possesses none of the defining characteristics, while a related case possesses a similar defining characteristic, and a borderline case may be a metaphorical application of the concept.

Understanding the uses of conceptual analysis in research

Before deciding to do a conceptual analysis research, it is critical to consider both the advantages and disadvantages of conducting it. 

Advantages of Conceptual Analysis

• Refining and validating a possibly confusing concept.
• Provides valuable historical and cultural insights over time.
• Clarify any ambiguous concepts that could be used as synonyms
• Possibly developing instruments for better measurement of the concept’s data.

Disadvantages of Conceptual Analysis

• Conceptual analysis can not create a new concept, only validate existing ones. 
• It’s a difficult process that requires a long time and persistence to investigate and validate a concept.
• Dealing with such a large amount of data can be uncertain and overwhelming for the researcher.
• More prone to error, especially when a relational analysis is used to achieve a higher level of interpretation.

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Conceptual Analysis: The Cornerstone of Philosophical Inquiry

Table of Contents

Have you ever wondered how philosophers manage to navigate through the dense forest of complex ideas to find clarity and understanding? The secret lies in a method known as conceptual analysis , a philosophical technique that dissects intricate concepts into their elemental parts. Think of it as a mental toolkit that helps us break down big ideas to understand and evaluate them better.

What is conceptual analysis?

At its core, conceptual analysis is the process of examining and clarifying what we mean when we use particular concepts. The aim is to uncover the underlying structure of a concept by asking what conditions must be met for it to apply. This might sound straightforward, but it’s often anything but. Philosophers like John Locke and Immanuel Kant have shown that the way we analyze concepts can have profound implications for how we understand the world and our place in it.

The process of conceptual analysis

Conceptual analysis typically involves several key steps:

• Identifying the concept: This is the starting point where we define which concept we want to analyze.
• Clarifying the concept: Here, we try to articulate what we mean when we use the concept in question.
• Breaking down the concept: We dissect the concept into its fundamental components or attributes.
• Assessing the concept: Finally, we evaluate the concept’s coherence and utility in philosophical discourse.

Locke and Kant: Analytic vs. Synthetic propositions

Two titans of philosophy, Locke and Kant, approached conceptual analysis in distinct ways, particularly when dealing with analytic and synthetic propositions .

Locke’s take on analytic propositions

Locke’s perspective was that analytic propositions are those where the predicate concept is contained within the subject concept. A classic example is the statement “All bachelors are unmarried men.” The concept of being unmarried is part of what we mean by ‘bachelor,’ so the proposition is true by virtue of the meanings of the words involved.

Kant’s revolution with synthetic propositions

Kant, however, introduced the idea of synthetic propositions, which are statements where the predicate concept is not contained within the subject but is connected to it. An example of a synthetic proposition is “All bachelors are unhappy.” Unhappiness is not a defining characteristic of a bachelor, so we must look beyond definitions and into the world to determine the truth of the proposition.

Applying conceptual analysis: Real-world examples

Conceptual analysis isn’t just for armchair philosophers; it has practical applications in many areas including law, ethics , and artificial intelligence .

In law: Interpreting statutes and precedents

When lawyers argue over the interpretation of a law, they are often engaging in conceptual analysis. They must dissect legal concepts to understand precisely what a statute means and how it should be applied to a specific case.

In ethics: Understanding moral concepts

What do we mean when we say something is ‘good’ or ‘just’? Ethicists use conceptual analysis to unpack these terms, which can help us make clearer ethical decisions.

In artificial intelligence: Programming understanding

For AI to “understand” human commands, it must have a framework for analyzing concepts. This often involves creating algorithms that mimic the way humans use conceptual analysis to parse language and ideas.

Challenges and criticisms of conceptual analysis

While conceptual analysis is a valuable tool, it’s not without its challenges and critics. Some argue that our concepts are too fluid and context-dependent for such analysis to be truly effective. Others suggest that focusing too much on language can distract us from engaging with the real substance of philosophical problems.

Conceptual change and evolution

One of the main challenges is that concepts evolve over time. Consider how the concept of ‘privacy’ has changed with the advent of the internet and social media. This dynamic nature of concepts can make any analysis potentially outdated.

Philosophical skepticism about language

Critics like Ludwig Wittgenstein have questioned whether language can ever truly capture the essence of reality, suggesting that conceptual analysis may be fundamentally limited.

Conceptual analysis remains a cornerstone of philosophical inquiry, despite its challenges. By understanding the nuances of this method, we can better appreciate the work of philosophers and apply their insights to our own lives. By dissecting complex ideas into simpler components, we develop a clearer understanding of the intricate tapestry of concepts that form our worldviews.

What do you think? Is there a concept you’ve struggled to understand that might benefit from this kind of analysis? How might conceptual analysis change with the evolution of language and society?

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Research Methodology

1 Introduction to Research in General

• Research in General
• Research Circle
• Tools of Research
• Methods: Quantitative or Qualitative
• The Product: Research Report or Papers

2 Original Unity of Philosophy and Science

• Myth Philosophy and Science: Original Unity
• The Myth: A Spiritual Metaphor
• Myth Philosophy and Science
• The Greek Quest for Unity
• The Ionian School
• Towards a Grand Unification Theory or Theory of Everything
• Einstein’s Perennial Quest for Unity

3 Evolution of the Distinct Methods of Science

• Definition of Scientific Method
• The Evolution of Scientific Methods
• Theory-Dependence of Observation
• Scope of Science and Scientific Methods
• Prevalent Mistakes in Applying the Scientific Method

4 Relation of Scientific and Philosophical Methods

• Definitions of Scientific and Philosophical method
• Philosophical method
• Scientific method
• The relation
• The Importance of Philosophical and scientific methods

5 Dialectical Method

• Introduction and a Brief Survey of the Method
• Types of Dialectics
• Dialectics in Classical Philosophy
• Dialectics in Modern Philosophy
• Critique of Dialectical Method

6 Rational Method

• Understanding Rationalism
• Rational Method of Investigation
• Descartes’ Rational Method
• Leibniz’ Aim of Philosophy
• Spinoza’ Aim of Philosophy

7 Empirical Method

• Common Features of Philosophical Method
• Empirical Method
• Exposition of Empiricism
• Locke’s Empirical Method
• Berkeley’s Empirical Method
• David Hume’s Empirical Method

8 Critical Method

• Basic Features of Critical Theory
• On Instrumental Reason
• Conception of Society
• Human History as Dialectic of Enlightenment
• Substantive Reason
• Habermasian Critical Theory
• Habermas’ Theory of Society
• Habermas’ Critique of Scientism
• Theory of Communicative Action
• Discourse Ethics of Habermas

9 Phenomenological Method (Western and Indian)

• Phenomenology in Philosophy
• Phenomenology as a Method
• Phenomenological Analysis of Knowledge
• Phenomenological Reduction
• Husserl’s Triad: Ego Cogito Cogitata
• Intentionality
• Understanding ‘Consciousness’
• Phenomenological Method in Indian Tradition
• Phenomenological Method in Religion

10 Analytical Method (Western and Indian)

• Analysis in History of Philosophy
• Conceptual Analysis
• Analysis as a Method
• Analysis in Logical Atomism and Logical Positivism
• Analytic Method in Ethics
• Language Analysis
• Quine’s Analytical Method
• Analysis in Indian Traditions

11 Hermeneutical Method (Western and Indian)

• The Power (Sakti) to Convey Meaning
• Three Meanings
• Pre-understanding
• The Semantic Autonomy of the Text
• Towards a Fusion of Horizons
• The Hermeneutical Circle
• The True Scandal of the Text
• Literary Forms

12 Deconstructive Method

• The Seminal Idea of Deconstruction in Heidegger
• Deconstruction in Derrida
• Structuralism and Post-structuralism
• Sign Signifier and Signified
• Writing and Trace
• Deconstruction as a Strategic Reading
• The Logic of Supplement
• No Outside-text

13 Method of Bibliography

• Preparing to Write
• Writing a Paper
• The Main Divisions of a Paper
• Writing Bibliography in Turabian and APA
• Sample Bibliography

14 Method of Footnotes

• Citations and Notes
• General Hints for Footnotes
• Writing Footnotes
• Examples of Footnote or Endnote
• Example of a Research Article

15 Method of Notes Taking

• Methods of Note-taking
• Note Book Style
• Note taking in a Computer
• Types of Note-taking
• Notes from Field Research
• Errors to be Avoided

16 Method of Thesis Proposal and Presentation

• Preliminary Section
• Presenting the Problem of the Thesis
• Design of the Study
• Main Body of the Thesis
• Conclusion Summary and Recommendations
• Reference Material

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Conceptual Research: Definition, Framework, Example and Advantages

Conceptual Research: Definition

Conceptual research is defined as a methodology wherein research is conducted by observing and analyzing already present information on a given topic. Conceptual research doesn’t involve conducting any practical experiments. It is related to abstract concepts or ideas. Philosophers have long used conceptual research to develop new theories or interpret existing theories in a different light.

For example, Copernicus used conceptual research to come up with the concepts of stellar constellations based on his observations of the universe. Down the line, Galileo simplified Copernicus’s research by making his own conceptual observations which gave rise to more experimental research and confirmed the predictions made at that time.

The most famous example of conceptual research is Sir Issac Newton. He observed his surroundings to conceptualize and develop theories about gravitation and motion.

Einstein is widely known and appreciated for his work on conceptual research. Although his theories were based on conceptual observations, Einstein also proposed experiments to come up with theories to test the conceptual research.

Nowadays, conceptual research is used to answer business questions and solve real-world problems. Researchers use analytical research tools called conceptual frameworks to make conceptual distinctions and organize ideas required for research purposes.

Conceptual Research Framework

Conceptual research framework constitutes of a researcher’s combination of previous research and associated work and explains the occurring phenomenon. It systematically explains the actions needed in the course of the research study based on the knowledge obtained from other ongoing research and other researchers’ points of view on the subject matter.

Here is a stepwise guide on how to create the conceptual research framework:

01. Choose the topic for research

Before you start working on collecting any research material, you should have decided on your topic for research. It is important that the topic is selected beforehand and should be within your field of specialization.

02. Collect relevant literature

Once you have narrowed down a topic, it is time to collect relevant information about it. This is an important step, and much of your research is dependent on this particular step, as conceptual research is mostly based on information obtained from previous research. Here collecting relevant literature and information is the key to successfully completing research.

The material that you should preferably use is scientific journals , research papers published by well-known scientists , and similar material. There is a lot of information available on the internet and in public libraries as well. All the information that you find on the internet may not be relevant or true. So before you use the information, make sure you verify it.  

03. Identify specific variables

Identify the specific variables that are related to the research study you want to conduct. These variables can give your research a new scope and can also help you identify how these can be related to your research design . For example, consider hypothetically you want to conduct research about the occurrence of cancer in married women. Here the two variables that you will be concentrating on are married women and cancer.

While collecting relevant literature, you understand that the spread of cancer is more aggressive in married women who are beyond 40 years of age. Here there is a third variable which is age, and this is a relevant variable that can affect the end result of your research.  

04. Generate the framework

In this step, you start building the required framework using the mix of variables from the scientific articles and other relevant materials. The research problem statement in your research becomes the research framework. Your attempt to start answering the question becomes the basis of your research study. The study is carried out to reduce the knowledge gap and make available more relevant and correct information.

Example of Conceptual Research Framework

Thesis statement/ Purpose of research: Chronic exposure to sunlight can lead to precancerous (actinic keratosis), cancerous (basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma), and even skin lesions (caused by loss of skin’s immune function) in women over 40 years of age.

The study claims that constant exposure to sunlight can cause the precancerous condition and can eventually lead to cancer and other skin abnormalities. Those affected by these experience symptoms like fatigue, fine or coarse wrinkles, discoloration of the skin, freckles, and a burning sensation in the more exposed areas.

Note that in this study, there are two variables associated- cancer and women over 40 years in the African subcontinent. But one is a dependent variable (women over 40 years, in the African subcontinent), and the other is an independent variable (cancer). Cumulative exposure to the sun till the age of 18 years can lead to symptoms similar to skin cancer. If this is not taken care of, there are chances that cancer can spread entirely.

Assuming that the other factors are constant during the research period, it will be possible to correlate the two variables and thus confirm that, indeed, chronic exposure to sunlight causes cancer in women over the age of 40 in the African subcontinent. Further, correlational research can verify this association further.

Advantages of Conceptual Research

1. Conceptual research mainly focuses on the concept of the research or the theory that explains a phenomenon. What causes the phenomenon, what are its building blocks, and so on? It’s research based on pen and paper.

2. This type of research heavily relies on previously conducted studies; no form of experiment is conducted, which saves time, effort, and resources. More relevant information can be generated by conducting conceptual research.

3. Conceptual research is considered the most convenient form of research. In this type of research, if the conceptual framework is ready, only relevant information and literature need to be sorted.

QuestionPro for Conceptual Research

QuestionPro offers readily available conceptual frameworks. These frameworks can be used to research consumer trust, customer satisfaction (CSAT) , product evaluations, etc. You can select from a wide range of templates question types, and examples curated by expert researchers.

We also help you decide which conceptual framework might be best suited for your specific situation.

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Nursing Research Resources: Concept Analysis

• Clinical Practice Guidelines
• Nursing Theories and Models

Concept Analysis

• Thesis & Dissertation Guidelines This link opens in a new window
• Writing Guides
• Avoiding Plagiarism

Concept analysis is a strategy used for examining concepts for their semantic structure. Although there are several methods for conducting concept analysis, all of the methods have the purpose of determining the defining attributes or characteristics of the concept under study. Some uses of a concept analysis are refining and clarifying concepts in theory, practice, and research and arriving at precise theoretical and operational definitions for research or for instrument development. Concept analysis has been used in other disciplines, particularly philosophy and linguistics, for many years. However, the techniques have only recently been “discovered” by nurses interested in semantics and language development in the discipline.

Concept analysis is a useful tool for nurses conducting research. Because the outcome of a concept analysis is a set of defining characteristics that tell the researcher “what counts” as the concept, it allows the researcher to (a) formulate a clear, precise theoretical and/or operational definition to be used in the study; (b) choose measurement instruments that accurately reflect the defining characteristics of the concept to be measured; (c) determine if a new instrument is needed (if no extant measure adequately reflects the defining characteristics); and (d) accurately identify the concept when it arises in clinical practice or in qualitative research data...

Source: Encyclopedia of Nursing Research (2). New York, US: Springer Publishing Company, 2006. ProQuest ebrary . Web. 5 October 2016. Copyright © 2006. Springer Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Recommended reading (Textbooks)

• Additional titles for Nursing Research and Theory

Resources and Guides

• Background Resources
• Locating Articles
• Search Strategy Suggestions
• Google Docs (Staying Organized)

Dictionaries - Nursing Specific titles

• Dictionary of Nursing Theory and Research (4th ed., 2010)

Dictionaries

• 2007 USP Dictionary of USAN and International Drug Names (43rd ed., 2006)
• Dictionary for Clinical Trials (1999)
• Dictionary of Contact Allergens (2007)
• Dictionary of DNA and Genome Technology (2008)
• Dictionary of Epidemiology (5th Edition) (5th ed., 2008)
• Dictionary of Food Science and Nutrition (2006)
• Dictionary of Health Economics and Finance (2007)
• Dictionary of Health Information Technology and Security (2007)
• Dictionary of Health Insurance and Managed Care (2006)
• Dictionary of Microbiology and Molecular Biology (2006 (3rd ed., Revised)
• Dictionary of Neurological Signs : Clinical Neurosemiology (2001)
• Dictionary of Sport and Exercise Science (2006)
• Dictionary of Veterinary Medicine and Biosciences (2nd Student ed., 2000)
• Dorland's Dictionary of Medical Acronyms and Abbreviations (7th ed., 2016)
• Historical Dictionary of Psychiatry (2005)
• Learner`s Dictionary for Student and Professionals : English for European Public Health (2008)
• Quick Reference Dictionary for Orthopedics (2012)
• Stedman's Medical Dictionary (2016)
• Techniques in the Behavioral and Neural Sciences : Experimental Design : A Handbook and Dictionary for Medical and Behavioral Research (1999)
• Webster's New World Medical Dictionary (3rd ed., 2009)

Encyclopedias - Nursing Specific titles

• Encyclopedia of Nursing Research (4th Edition; 2017)
• Nursing Leadership : A Concise Encyclopedia (2008)

Encyclopedias

• Anaesthesia and intensive care A-Z : an encyclopaedia of principles and practice (2019; 6th Edition)
• Biomechanics in Sport: Performance Enhancement and Injury Prevention : Olympic Encyclopaedia of Sports Medicine (2007)
• Brain Tumors : An Encyclopedic Approach (2012; 3rd Edition)
• Encyclopaedia of Sports Medicine An IOC Medical Commission Publication, The Endocrine System in Sports and Exercise (2007)
• Encyclopedia of Aging (4th ed., 2006)
• Encyclopedia of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering (2008; 2nd Edition)
• Encyclopedia of Biopharmaceutical Statistics (2003; 2nd Edition)
• Encyclopedia of Body Sculpting after Massive Weight Loss (2011)
• Encyclopedia of Clinical Pharmacy (2003)
• Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements (2005)
• Encyclopedia of Elder Care : The Comprehensive Resource on Geriatric and Social Care (2nd Edition; 2008)
• Encyclopedia of Farm Animal Nutrition (2004)
• Encyclopedia of Human Nutrition (2005; 2nd Edition)
• Encyclopedia of Infectious Diseases: Modern Methodologies (2007)
• Encyclopedia of Medical Genomics and Proteomics, Volume 1-2 (2005)
• Encyclopedia of Molecular Biology (1994)
• Encyclopedia of pain (2007)
• Encyclopedia of Pharmaceutical Technology, Volumes 1 - 6 (2007; 3rd Edition)
• Encyclopedia of Psychological Trauma (2008)
• Epilepsy A to Z : A Concise Encyclopedia (2nd ed., 2009)
• Library of Health and Living : Encyclopedia of Trauma and Traumatic Stress Disorders (2009)
• MIT Encyclopedia of Communication Disorders (2003)
• Nutrition in Sport : Olympic Encyclopaedia of Sports Medicine Volume VII (2007)
• Rehabilitation of Sports Injuries - Scientific Basis : Olympic Encyclopaedia of Sports Medicine (2007)
• Strength and Power in Sport : Olympic Encyclopedia of Sports Medicine (2007)
• Tendinopathy in Athletes : Encyclopaedia of Sports Medicine an IOC Medical Commission Publication (2007)
• Women in Sport : Olympic Encyclopaedia of Sports Medicine (2007)

Submitting Material Requests

For articles that are not available full-text via the LRC website, you can submit a material request using the link below:

• LRC Material Request

To locate articles discussing the topic for your concept analysis assignment, use the recommended list of term combinations that will help you to retrieve all relevant articles. You will want to AND your concept with the search terms below:

• "concept analysis"
• philosophy OR philosophies
• theory OR theories OR theoretical
• defined OR definition

For example:

"assisted living" AND ("concept analysis" OR philosophy OR theory OR theories OR theoretical OR defined OR definition OR concept*)

Use Google Docs to keep track of the following:

• Your search topic
• Limits/Filters, such as age, date range, language, etc.
• Databases to include, such as PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, PowER Search, etc.
• Concepts and like terms
• Search strategies

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• What Is a Conceptual Framework? | Tips & Examples

What Is a Conceptual Framework? | Tips & Examples

Published on 4 May 2022 by Bas Swaen and Tegan George. Revised on 18 March 2024.

A conceptual framework illustrates the expected relationship between your variables. It defines the relevant objectives for your research process and maps out how they come together to draw coherent conclusions.

Keep reading for a step-by-step guide to help you construct your own conceptual framework.

Table of contents

Developing a conceptual framework in research, step 1: choose your research question, step 2: select your independent and dependent variables, step 3: visualise your cause-and-effect relationship, step 4: identify other influencing variables, frequently asked questions about conceptual models.

A conceptual framework is a representation of the relationship you expect to see between your variables, or the characteristics or properties that you want to study.

Conceptual frameworks can be written or visual and are generally developed based on a literature review of existing studies about your topic.

Your research question guides your work by determining exactly what you want to find out, giving your research process a clear focus.

However, before you start collecting your data, consider constructing a conceptual framework. This will help you map out which variables you will measure and how you expect them to relate to one another.

In order to move forward with your research question and test a cause-and-effect relationship, you must first identify at least two key variables: your independent and dependent variables .

• The expected cause, ‘hours of study’, is the independent variable (the predictor, or explanatory variable)
• The expected effect, ‘exam score’, is the dependent variable (the response, or outcome variable).

Note that causal relationships often involve several independent variables that affect the dependent variable. For the purpose of this example, we’ll work with just one independent variable (‘hours of study’).

Now that you’ve figured out your research question and variables, the first step in designing your conceptual framework is visualising your expected cause-and-effect relationship.

It’s crucial to identify other variables that can influence the relationship between your independent and dependent variables early in your research process.

Some common variables to include are moderating, mediating, and control variables.

Moderating variables

Moderating variable (or moderators) alter the effect that an independent variable has on a dependent variable. In other words, moderators change the ‘effect’ component of the cause-and-effect relationship.

Let’s add the moderator ‘IQ’. Here, a student’s IQ level can change the effect that the variable ‘hours of study’ has on the exam score. The higher the IQ, the fewer hours of study are needed to do well on the exam.

Let’s take a look at how this might work. The graph below shows how the number of hours spent studying affects exam score. As expected, the more hours you study, the better your results. Here, a student who studies for 20 hours will get a perfect score.

But the graph looks different when we add our ‘IQ’ moderator of 120. A student with this IQ will achieve a perfect score after just 15 hours of study.

Below, the value of the ‘IQ’ moderator has been increased to 150. A student with this IQ will only need to invest five hours of study in order to get a perfect score.

Here, we see that a moderating variable does indeed change the cause-and-effect relationship between two variables.

Mediating variables

Now we’ll expand the framework by adding a mediating variable . Mediating variables link the independent and dependent variables, allowing the relationship between them to be better explained.

Here’s how the conceptual framework might look if a mediator variable were involved:

In this case, the mediator helps explain why studying more hours leads to a higher exam score. The more hours a student studies, the more practice problems they will complete; the more practice problems completed, the higher the student’s exam score will be.

Moderator vs mediator

It’s important not to confuse moderating and mediating variables. To remember the difference, you can think of them in relation to the independent variable:

• A moderating variable is not affected by the independent variable, even though it affects the dependent variable. For example, no matter how many hours you study (the independent variable), your IQ will not get higher.
• A mediating variable is affected by the independent variable. In turn, it also affects the dependent variable. Therefore, it links the two variables and helps explain the relationship between them.

Control variables

Lastly,  control variables must also be taken into account. These are variables that are held constant so that they don’t interfere with the results. Even though you aren’t interested in measuring them for your study, it’s crucial to be aware of as many of them as you can be.

A mediator variable explains the process through which two variables are related, while a moderator variable affects the strength and direction of that relationship.

No. The value of a dependent variable depends on an independent variable, so a variable cannot be both independent and dependent at the same time. It must be either the cause or the effect, not both.

Yes, but including more than one of either type requires multiple research questions .

For example, if you are interested in the effect of a diet on health, you can use multiple measures of health: blood sugar, blood pressure, weight, pulse, and many more. Each of these is its own dependent variable with its own research question.

You could also choose to look at the effect of exercise levels as well as diet, or even the additional effect of the two combined. Each of these is a separate independent variable .

To ensure the internal validity of an experiment , you should only change one independent variable at a time.

A control variable is any variable that’s held constant in a research study. It’s not a variable of interest in the study, but it’s controlled because it could influence the outcomes.

A confounding variable , also called a confounder or confounding factor, is a third variable in a study examining a potential cause-and-effect relationship.

A confounding variable is related to both the supposed cause and the supposed effect of the study. It can be difficult to separate the true effect of the independent variable from the effect of the confounding variable.

In your research design , it’s important to identify potential confounding variables and plan how you will reduce their impact.

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• What is Conceptual Research? Definition, Framework, Pros & Cons

Introduction

Conducting research is an important part of human life and for centuries, identifying and evaluating a subject or topic to gain knowledge has been a constant practice. There are different classifications of research based on the approach, methodology, and purpose. 

One such classification is conceptual research, which focuses on exploring and developing abstract ideas or concepts. And in today’s article, we will discuss the definition of conceptual research, its purpose, and its significance in various fields.

What is Conceptual Research?

The process defined as conceptual research focuses on the exploration and development of abstract concepts or theories. It involves the study and analysis of existing concepts to refine or develop a conceptual framework. 

Theoretical research is also known as such because a theoretical approach is used to understand the world. Additionally, it is utilized by both academics and non-academics.

The purpose of conceptual research is to understand how people make sense of their environment, how they make decisions, and what influences them.

Conceptual research can take various forms, including descriptive, explanatory, exploratory, or theoretical research. The research can focus on a broad range of topics, such as cultural differences, political ideologies, social norms, philosophical concepts, and ethical principles. 

For example, a conceptual study can explore the concept of social justice, the impact of globalization on culture, or the implications of artificial intelligence on society.

It allows you to determine whether the results of your experiment are what you want them to be, and it helps to understand why things happened as they did. Through conceptual research, researchers can develop a theoretical framework that can guide future research and practice. 

Conceptual research can generate new insights and challenge existing assumptions or theories. It can contribute to the development of new ideas, theories, or concepts, which advance understanding. In philosophy, social sciences, and humanities, theoretical analysis and critical thinking are essential. Therefore, the use of conceptual research is common in these disciplines.

What is the Purpose of Conceptual Research?

The purpose of conceptual research is to provide a deeper understanding of complex concepts. It clarifies ambiguous terms or definitions and generates new insights or perspectives. These can guide future research and practice. Conceptual research serves as a basis for empirical research. It provides a theoretical framework for hypothesis testing and data analysis.

This is because one of the primary purposes of conceptual research is to develop a theoretical framework. In the paragraph below, we will discuss more on the conceptual research framework and how you can understand it. Another importance of conceptual research is that it helps to clarify vague concepts or terms. For example, in psychology, the concept of intelligence has been a topic of debate for decades. Researchers have used several definitions and measures of intelligence, that led to conflicting findings. 

However, through conceptual research, researchers can identify the underlying assumptions and theories that truly shape the concept of intelligence. This will allow them to develop a clearer and more concise definition of intelligence that can guide future research.

Furthermore, conceptual research also aims to generate new ideas or concepts that can contribute to the development of a more comprehensive understanding of social phenomena.

Understanding the Conceptual Research Framework

The framework for conceptual research is a set of steps that you can follow to ensure that your study meets all necessary requirements for scientific rigor. It is a way for researchers to organize their ideas about a topic and how that topic affects other topics. 

For example, studying people’s thoughts about time can involve a conceptual framework with five categories. These include past, present, future, money, and health. You can then use this framework as a guide to examine how people perceive time with respect to income or health.

What are the Methods of Conceptual Research?

Conceptual research relies on literature review, expert opinions, philosophical analysis, or critical thinking. It provides insights into abstract ideas or concepts. Empirical research collects and analyzes quantitative or qualitative data. Here are the four methods of conceptual research:

• Literature Review:  The literature review is a primary conceptual research method. It involves a systematic search and analysis of existing literature. This is done on a particular subject to identify main concepts, theories, and research findings. It also helps in developing a conceptual framework, identifying research gaps, and generating new ideas. Various sources are used for conducting it, like books, academic journals, and online databases.
• Theory Development: Theory development is a method of conceptual research that involves the construction or refinement of theories that explain a particular concept. To use this method, the researcher may use empirical data, expert opinions, or philosophical analysis. The aim of theory development is to provide a framework that can be used to guide future research or to inform practice.
• Critical Analyses: Critical analyses also involve the evaluation of arguments, ideas, or concepts. The aim of critical analyses is to identify logical fallacies, inconsistencies, and biases in the reasoning. Critical analyses can help to generate new ideas or perspectives that challenge existing assumptions or theories.
• Historical Research : Historical research is a method of conceptual research that involves the study of past events or phenomena to gain insights into the present or future. The researcher may use primary sources, such as diaries, letters, or newspapers. Alternatively, they can use secondary sources, such as historical texts or biographies, to study the past. The aim of historical research is to provide a context for understanding current or future events or phenomena.

Advantages of Conceptual Research

The advantages of conceptual research are:

• This type of research allows exploring ideas freely without worrying about one study’s outcome.
• It may bring new insights by asking questions beyond surveys and traditional methods.
• It allows you to use more complex statistical models that are harder to do with simple experiments.
• Another advantage of conceptual research is that it can be done without having to go through all the steps of a traditional survey.
• Conceptual research helps to reach a goal/objective/ better than other types of research methods like survey research etc. It uses surveys or interviews to collect data from respondents. This is preferable to collecting data from objects or entities. Some cases may not allow the latter due to ethical issues.

Limitations of Conceptual Research

The limitations of conceptual research include:

• Theoretical Gaps : Conceptual researchers may not be aware of all the relevant literature on their topic. They may also lack expertise in a particular field, which can lead them to misinterpret or misinterpret data from their own or other researchers’ studies. You won’t always find an answer when you conduct a conceptual investigation; instead, you may find that the answer comes from another source (e.g., a literature review).
• Difficulties with Data Collection: Conceptual researchers often face difficulties collecting data because they do not have access to the same resources as other types of researchers (e.g., financial support).
• Low Levels of Participation : Because conceptual research involves creating new knowledge through thoughtful analysis rather than empiricism, it often requires more time than other kinds of research.

Example of a Conceptual Research Framework

Thesis Statement/ Purpose of Research: 

The conceptual research project aims to develop a framework for understanding employee engagement. It also proposes interventions to improve employee engagement and organizational outcomes.

Based on this thesis statement, a possible conceptual research framework could involve reviewing existing literature on employee engagement.

It involves examining theories and models and analyzing factors that affect employee engagement. Factors include leadership, organizational culture, and job characteristics.

The framework can explore the effectiveness of different interventions. These include training programs, rewards, and employee involvement initiatives. The goal is to enhance organizational performance.

Ultimately, the framework can guide future research and practice. It can provide a theoretical foundation for understanding employee engagement.

In conclusion, conceptual research is a type of research that focuses on exploring and developing abstract ideas or concepts. The purpose of conceptual research is to provide a deeper understanding of complex concepts. It aims to clarify ambiguous terms or definitions. It also seeks to generate new insights or perspectives. These insights can help guide future research and practice.

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Home » Conceptual Framework – Types, Methodology and Examples

Conceptual Framework – Types, Methodology and Examples

Table of Contents

Conceptual Framework

Definition:

A conceptual framework is a structured approach to organizing and understanding complex ideas, theories, or concepts. It provides a systematic and coherent way of thinking about a problem or topic, and helps to guide research or analysis in a particular field.

A conceptual framework typically includes a set of assumptions, concepts, and propositions that form a theoretical framework for understanding a particular phenomenon. It can be used to develop hypotheses, guide empirical research, or provide a framework for evaluating and interpreting data.

Conceptual Framework in Research

In research, a conceptual framework is a theoretical structure that provides a framework for understanding a particular phenomenon or problem. It is a key component of any research project and helps to guide the research process from start to finish.

A conceptual framework provides a clear understanding of the variables, relationships, and assumptions that underpin a research study. It outlines the key concepts that the study is investigating and how they are related to each other. It also defines the scope of the study and sets out the research questions or hypotheses.

Types of Conceptual Framework

Types of Conceptual Framework are as follows:

Theoretical Framework

A theoretical framework is an overarching set of concepts, ideas, and assumptions that help to explain and interpret a phenomenon. It provides a theoretical perspective on the phenomenon being studied and helps researchers to identify the relationships between different concepts. For example, a theoretical framework for a study on the impact of social media on mental health might draw on theories of communication, social influence, and psychological well-being.

Conceptual Model

A conceptual model is a visual or written representation of a complex system or phenomenon. It helps to identify the main components of the system and the relationships between them. For example, a conceptual model for a study on the factors that influence employee turnover might include factors such as job satisfaction, salary, work-life balance, and job security, and the relationships between them.

Empirical Framework

An empirical framework is based on empirical data and helps to explain a particular phenomenon. It involves collecting data, analyzing it, and developing a framework to explain the results. For example, an empirical framework for a study on the impact of a new health intervention might involve collecting data on the intervention’s effectiveness, cost, and acceptability to patients.

Descriptive Framework

A descriptive framework is used to describe a particular phenomenon. It helps to identify the main characteristics of the phenomenon and to develop a vocabulary to describe it. For example, a descriptive framework for a study on different types of musical genres might include descriptions of the instruments used, the rhythms and beats, the vocal styles, and the cultural contexts of each genre.

Analytical Framework

An analytical framework is used to analyze a particular phenomenon. It involves breaking down the phenomenon into its constituent parts and analyzing them separately. This type of framework is often used in social science research. For example, an analytical framework for a study on the impact of race on police brutality might involve analyzing the historical and cultural factors that contribute to racial bias, the organizational factors that influence police behavior, and the psychological factors that influence individual officers’ behavior.

Conceptual Framework for Policy Analysis

A conceptual framework for policy analysis is used to guide the development of policies or programs. It helps policymakers to identify the key issues and to develop strategies to address them. For example, a conceptual framework for a policy analysis on climate change might involve identifying the key stakeholders, assessing their interests and concerns, and developing policy options to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Logical Frameworks

Logical frameworks are used to plan and evaluate projects and programs. They provide a structured approach to identifying project goals, objectives, and outcomes, and help to ensure that all stakeholders are aligned and working towards the same objectives.

Conceptual Frameworks for Program Evaluation

These frameworks are used to evaluate the effectiveness of programs or interventions. They provide a structure for identifying program goals, objectives, and outcomes, and help to measure the impact of the program on its intended beneficiaries.

Conceptual Frameworks for Organizational Analysis

These frameworks are used to analyze and evaluate organizational structures, processes, and performance. They provide a structured approach to understanding the relationships between different departments, functions, and stakeholders within an organization.

Conceptual Frameworks for Strategic Planning

These frameworks are used to develop and implement strategic plans for organizations or businesses. They help to identify the key factors and stakeholders that will impact the success of the plan, and provide a structure for setting goals, developing strategies, and monitoring progress.

Components of Conceptual Framework

The components of a conceptual framework typically include:

• Research question or problem statement : This component defines the problem or question that the conceptual framework seeks to address. It sets the stage for the development of the framework and guides the selection of the relevant concepts and constructs.
• Concepts : These are the general ideas, principles, or categories that are used to describe and explain the phenomenon or problem under investigation. Concepts provide the building blocks of the framework and help to establish a common language for discussing the issue.
• Constructs : Constructs are the specific variables or concepts that are used to operationalize the general concepts. They are measurable or observable and serve as indicators of the underlying concept.
• Propositions or hypotheses : These are statements that describe the relationships between the concepts or constructs in the framework. They provide a basis for testing the validity of the framework and for generating new insights or theories.
• Assumptions : These are the underlying beliefs or values that shape the framework. They may be explicit or implicit and may influence the selection and interpretation of the concepts and constructs.
• Boundaries : These are the limits or scope of the framework. They define the focus of the investigation and help to clarify what is included and excluded from the analysis.
• Context : This component refers to the broader social, cultural, and historical factors that shape the phenomenon or problem under investigation. It helps to situate the framework within a larger theoretical or empirical context and to identify the relevant variables and factors that may affect the phenomenon.
• Relationships and connections: These are the connections and interrelationships between the different components of the conceptual framework. They describe how the concepts and constructs are linked and how they contribute to the overall understanding of the phenomenon or problem.
• Variables : These are the factors that are being measured or observed in the study. They are often operationalized as constructs and are used to test the propositions or hypotheses.
• Methodology : This component describes the research methods and techniques that will be used to collect and analyze data. It includes the sampling strategy, data collection methods, data analysis techniques, and ethical considerations.
• Literature review : This component provides an overview of the existing research and theories related to the phenomenon or problem under investigation. It helps to identify the gaps in the literature and to situate the framework within the broader theoretical and empirical context.
• Outcomes and implications: These are the expected outcomes or implications of the study. They describe the potential contributions of the study to the theoretical and empirical knowledge in the field and the practical implications for policy and practice.

Conceptual Framework Methodology

Conceptual Framework Methodology is a research method that is commonly used in academic and scientific research to develop a theoretical framework for a study. It is a systematic approach that helps researchers to organize their thoughts and ideas, identify the variables that are relevant to their study, and establish the relationships between these variables.

Here are the steps involved in the conceptual framework methodology:

Identify the Research Problem

The first step is to identify the research problem or question that the study aims to answer. This involves identifying the gaps in the existing literature and determining what specific issue the study aims to address.

Conduct a Literature Review

The second step involves conducting a thorough literature review to identify the existing theories, models, and frameworks that are relevant to the research question. This will help the researcher to identify the key concepts and variables that need to be considered in the study.

Define key Concepts and Variables

The next step is to define the key concepts and variables that are relevant to the study. This involves clearly defining the terms used in the study, and identifying the factors that will be measured or observed in the study.

Develop a Theoretical Framework

Once the key concepts and variables have been identified, the researcher can develop a theoretical framework. This involves establishing the relationships between the key concepts and variables, and creating a visual representation of these relationships.

Test the Framework

The final step is to test the theoretical framework using empirical data. This involves collecting and analyzing data to determine whether the relationships between the key concepts and variables that were identified in the framework are accurate and valid.

Examples of Conceptual Framework

Some realtime Examples of Conceptual Framework are as follows:

• In economics , the concept of supply and demand is a well-known conceptual framework. It provides a structure for understanding how prices are set in a market, based on the interplay of the quantity of goods supplied by producers and the quantity of goods demanded by consumers.
• In psychology , the cognitive-behavioral framework is a widely used conceptual framework for understanding mental health and illness. It emphasizes the role of thoughts and behaviors in shaping emotions and the importance of cognitive restructuring and behavior change in treatment.
• In sociology , the social determinants of health framework provides a way of understanding how social and economic factors such as income, education, and race influence health outcomes. This framework is widely used in public health research and policy.
• In environmental science , the ecosystem services framework is a way of understanding the benefits that humans derive from natural ecosystems, such as clean air and water, pollination, and carbon storage. This framework is used to guide conservation and land-use decisions.
• In education, the constructivist framework is a way of understanding how learners construct knowledge through active engagement with their environment. This framework is used to guide instructional design and teaching strategies.

Applications of Conceptual Framework

Some of the applications of Conceptual Frameworks are as follows:

• Research : Conceptual frameworks are used in research to guide the design, implementation, and interpretation of studies. Researchers use conceptual frameworks to develop hypotheses, identify research questions, and select appropriate methods for collecting and analyzing data.
• Policy: Conceptual frameworks are used in policy-making to guide the development of policies and programs. Policymakers use conceptual frameworks to identify key factors that influence a particular problem or issue, and to develop strategies for addressing them.
• Education : Conceptual frameworks are used in education to guide the design and implementation of instructional strategies and curriculum. Educators use conceptual frameworks to identify learning objectives, select appropriate teaching methods, and assess student learning.
• Management : Conceptual frameworks are used in management to guide decision-making and strategy development. Managers use conceptual frameworks to understand the internal and external factors that influence their organizations, and to develop strategies for achieving their goals.
• Evaluation : Conceptual frameworks are used in evaluation to guide the development of evaluation plans and to interpret evaluation results. Evaluators use conceptual frameworks to identify key outcomes, indicators, and measures, and to develop a logic model for their evaluation.

Purpose of Conceptual Framework

The purpose of a conceptual framework is to provide a theoretical foundation for understanding and analyzing complex phenomena. Conceptual frameworks help to:

• Guide research : Conceptual frameworks provide a framework for researchers to develop hypotheses, identify research questions, and select appropriate methods for collecting and analyzing data. By providing a theoretical foundation for research, conceptual frameworks help to ensure that research is rigorous, systematic, and valid.
• Provide clarity: Conceptual frameworks help to provide clarity and structure to complex phenomena by identifying key concepts, relationships, and processes. By providing a clear and systematic understanding of a phenomenon, conceptual frameworks help to ensure that researchers, policymakers, and practitioners are all on the same page when it comes to understanding the issue at hand.
• Inform decision-making : Conceptual frameworks can be used to inform decision-making and strategy development by identifying key factors that influence a particular problem or issue. By understanding the complex interplay of factors that contribute to a particular issue, decision-makers can develop more effective strategies for addressing the problem.
• Facilitate communication : Conceptual frameworks provide a common language and conceptual framework for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to communicate and collaborate on complex issues. By providing a shared understanding of a phenomenon, conceptual frameworks help to ensure that everyone is working towards the same goal.

When to use Conceptual Framework

There are several situations when it is appropriate to use a conceptual framework:

• To guide the research : A conceptual framework can be used to guide the research process by providing a clear roadmap for the research project. It can help researchers identify key variables and relationships, and develop hypotheses or research questions.
• To clarify concepts : A conceptual framework can be used to clarify and define key concepts and terms used in a research project. It can help ensure that all researchers are using the same language and have a shared understanding of the concepts being studied.
• To provide a theoretical basis: A conceptual framework can provide a theoretical basis for a research project by linking it to existing theories or conceptual models. This can help researchers build on previous research and contribute to the development of a field.
• To identify gaps in knowledge : A conceptual framework can help identify gaps in existing knowledge by highlighting areas that require further research or investigation.
• To communicate findings : A conceptual framework can be used to communicate research findings by providing a clear and concise summary of the key variables, relationships, and assumptions that underpin the research project.

Characteristics of Conceptual Framework

key characteristics of a conceptual framework are:

• Clear definition of key concepts : A conceptual framework should clearly define the key concepts and terms being used in a research project. This ensures that all researchers have a shared understanding of the concepts being studied.
• Identification of key variables: A conceptual framework should identify the key variables that are being studied and how they are related to each other. This helps to organize the research project and provides a clear focus for the study.
• Logical structure: A conceptual framework should have a logical structure that connects the key concepts and variables being studied. This helps to ensure that the research project is coherent and consistent.
• Based on existing theory : A conceptual framework should be based on existing theory or conceptual models. This helps to ensure that the research project is grounded in existing knowledge and builds on previous research.
• Testable hypotheses or research questions: A conceptual framework should include testable hypotheses or research questions that can be answered through empirical research. This helps to ensure that the research project is rigorous and scientifically valid.
• Flexibility : A conceptual framework should be flexible enough to allow for modifications as new information is gathered during the research process. This helps to ensure that the research project is responsive to new findings and is able to adapt to changing circumstances.

Advantages of Conceptual Framework

Advantages of the Conceptual Framework are as follows:

• Clarity : A conceptual framework provides clarity to researchers by outlining the key concepts and variables that are relevant to the research project. This clarity helps researchers to focus on the most important aspects of the research problem and develop a clear plan for investigating it.
• Direction : A conceptual framework provides direction to researchers by helping them to develop hypotheses or research questions that are grounded in existing theory or conceptual models. This direction ensures that the research project is relevant and contributes to the development of the field.
• Efficiency : A conceptual framework can increase efficiency in the research process by providing a structure for organizing ideas and data. This structure can help researchers to avoid redundancies and inconsistencies in their work, saving time and effort.
• Rigor : A conceptual framework can help to ensure the rigor of a research project by providing a theoretical basis for the investigation. This rigor is essential for ensuring that the research project is scientifically valid and produces meaningful results.
• Communication : A conceptual framework can facilitate communication between researchers by providing a shared language and understanding of the key concepts and variables being studied. This communication is essential for collaboration and the advancement of knowledge in the field.
• Generalization : A conceptual framework can help to generalize research findings beyond the specific study by providing a theoretical basis for the investigation. This generalization is essential for the development of knowledge in the field and for informing future research.

Limitations of Conceptual Framework

Limitations of Conceptual Framework are as follows:

• Limited applicability: Conceptual frameworks are often based on existing theory or conceptual models, which may not be applicable to all research problems or contexts. This can limit the usefulness of a conceptual framework in certain situations.
• Lack of empirical support : While a conceptual framework can provide a theoretical basis for a research project, it may not be supported by empirical evidence. This can limit the usefulness of a conceptual framework in guiding empirical research.
• Narrow focus: A conceptual framework can provide a clear focus for a research project, but it may also limit the scope of the investigation. This can make it difficult to address broader research questions or to consider alternative perspectives.
• Over-simplification: A conceptual framework can help to organize and structure research ideas, but it may also over-simplify complex phenomena. This can limit the depth of the investigation and the richness of the data collected.
• Inflexibility : A conceptual framework can provide a structure for organizing research ideas, but it may also be inflexible in the face of new data or unexpected findings. This can limit the ability of researchers to adapt their research project to new information or changing circumstances.
• Difficulty in development : Developing a conceptual framework can be a challenging and time-consuming process. It requires a thorough understanding of existing theory or conceptual models, and may require collaboration with other researchers.

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

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• What is conceptual research: Definition & examples

Defne Çobanoğlu

How did Newton figure out the gravity after seeing an apple fall from a tree? What kind of research did Nicolaus Copernicus conduct to figure out that the planets revolve around the sun and not vice versa? It is certain that they did not conduct practical experiments to figure this stuff out.

The type of research these two scientists do is called conceptual research. They basically observed their surroundings to conceptualize and develop theories about gravitation, motion, and astronomy. That is what some scientists and philosophers do to wrap their heads around existing concepts and new ideas. Now, let us see what exactly conceptual research is and other details.

• What is conceptual research?

Conceptual research is a type of research that does not involve conducting any practical experiments . It is based on observing and analyzing already existing concepts and theories. The researcher can observe their surroundings and develop brand-new theories, or they can build on existing ones.

Conceptual research is widely used in the study of philosophy to develop new ideas. And this type of research is also used to answer business questions and organize ideas, or interpret existing theories differently.

Conceptual research definition

• Conceptual research frameworks

Even if the researcher is not conducting any experiments of their own, they should still work in a systematic manner, to be precise. And a conceptual research framework is built around existing literature and appropriate research studies that can explain the phenomenon. Here is a step-by-step guide to creating a conceptual research framework:

The steps for a conceptual research framework

1 - Define a topic for research:

The first step in creating your research framework is to choose the topic you will be working on. Most researchers define a topic in their area of expertise and go along with it.

2 - Collect relevant literature:

After deciding on the subject, the next and most important step is collecting relevant literature. As this type of research heavily relies on existing literature, it is important to find reliable sources. Successfully collecting relevant information is key to successfully completing this step. The reliable sources one can use are:

• scientific journals
• research papers (published by well-known scientists)
• Public libraries
• Online databases
• Relevant books

3 - Identify specific variables:

In this step, identify specific variables that may affect your research. These variables may give your study a new scope and a new area to cover during your research. For example, let us say you want to conduct research about the occurrence of depression in teenage boys aged 14 to 19. Here, the two variables are teenage boys and depression.

During your research, you figure that substance abuse among teenage boys has a big effect on their mental wellbeings. Therefore, you add substance abuse as a relevant variable and be mindful of that when you are continuing your research. 

4 - Create the framework:

The final step is creating the framework after going through all the relevant data available. The research question in hand becomes the research framework

• Conceptual research examples

When a researcher decides on the subject they want to explore, the next thing they should decide is what kind of methods they want to do. They can choose the experiments and surveys, but sometimes these methods are not possible for different reasons. And when they can not do practical experimenting, they can use existing literature and observation. Here are two examples where conceptual research can be used: 

• Example 1 of conceptual research:

A researcher wants to explore the key factors that influence consumer behavior in the online shopping environment. That is their research question. Once the researcher decides on the subject, they can begin by reviewing the existing literature on consumer behavior and examining different theories and models of consumer behavior. 

Then, they can identify common themes or factors that have emerged. By understanding this phenomenon, the researcher can develop a conceptual framework.

• Example 2 of conceptual research:

A group of researchers wants to see if there is any correlation between chemically dyeing your hair and the risk of cancer in women. They can start collecting data on women that had cancer and usage of hair dye. They can collect research papers on this particular subject. And they can create a conceptual framework with the information they collected and analyzed.

• Advantages and disadvantages of conceptual research

There are multiple research types for researchers to get to the goal they want, and they all offer different advantages. It is up to the researchers to decide on the most suitable one for their study and go along with that. The conceptual study also has its positive and negative aspects one should have in mind. Now, let us go through the list of conceptual research advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages vs. disadvantages of conceptual research

Advantages of conceptual research:

• Requires fewer sources: This type of research does not involve any type of experiment. Therefore it saves money, energy, and manpower. It only involves theorizing and searching through existing literature. 
• Generates new ideas:  Conceptual research can help generate new ideas and hypotheses. Researchers can use data collection to add on top of abstract ideas or concepts
• Helps to identify patterns: Conceptual research can help identify patterns in complex concepts and help develop a conceptual analysis. This can lead to a better understanding of how different factors are related to each other.

Disadvantages of conceptual research:

• Questionable reliability and validity: Conclusions drawn from literature reviews on conceptual research topics are less fact-based and may not essentially be considered dependable. Because they are not backed up by practical experimentation, they may have less credibility.
• May be prone to subjectivity: Because it relies on abstract concepts, conceptual research may be influenced by personal biases and perspectives. Researchers should be mindful of this effect and act on it accordingly.
• Can be time-consuming:  As conceptual research involves extensive research and analyses of relevant literature, it may take a longer time to finalize the study on hand. This can be challenging for researchers who are working within time constraints.
• Conceptual research vs. empirical research

Conceptual research is about creating an idea after looking at existing data or adding on a theory after going through available literature. And the empirical research includes something different than the prior one. Empirical research involves research based on observation, experiments, and verifiable evidence .

The main difference between the two is the fact that empirical research involves doing experiments to develop a conceptual framework. Empirical research studies are observable and measurable as they are verifiable by observations or experience. In order to see if a study is empirical, you can ask yourself this question: Can I create this study and test these results myself?

The difference between conceptual research and empirical research

• Wrapping it up

Once you encounter a problem you want to solve but you are unable to do experiments, you can go with conceptual research. Instead of conducting experiments, you should find appropriate existing literature and analyze them thoroughly. Just then, you can create a conceptual framework.

And you can always use the help of a good online tool for your needs when doing research. The best tool for all your needs, from forms to surveys to questionnaires, is forms.app. forms.app is an online survey maker that offers more than 1000 ready-to-use templates and can be the help you need!

Defne is a content writer at forms.app. She is also a translator specializing in literary translation. Defne loves reading, writing, and translating professionally and as a hobby. Her expertise lies in survey research, research methodologies, content writing, and translation.

• Form Features
• Data Collection

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  International Journal of Educational Research Journal / International Journal of Educational Research / Vol. 12 No. 2 (2023) / Articles (function() { function async_load(){ var s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.async = true; var theUrl = 'https://www.journalquality.info/journalquality/ratings/2405-www-ajol-info-ijer'; s.src = theUrl + ( theUrl.indexOf("?") >= 0 ? "&" : "?") + 'ref=' + encodeURIComponent(window.location.href); var embedder = document.getElementById('jpps-embedder-ajol-ijer'); embedder.parentNode.insertBefore(s, embedder); } if (window.attachEvent) window.attachEvent('onload', async_load); else window.addEventListener('load', async_load, false); })();  

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The Articles published in this Journal are published under a CC BY-NC-SA license and is subject to copyright, reserved by the Department of Educational Foundations (with Educational Psychology), University of Lagos. All works (including texts, images, graphs, tables, diagrams, photographs and statistical data) may be used for non-commercial purpose, citing appropriately the original work.

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Influence of witnessing domestic violence on the self concept of adolescents in lagos mainland, s.o. adeniyi, s.c. anyama, t.o. soriyan.

This study examined the impact of witnessing domestic violence on the self-concept of adolescents in Lagos mainland. This study was  limited to adolescents in public secondary schools in Mainland Local Government Area Lagos State. Descriptive survey research design  was used in the study. The respondents were one hundred and fifty (150) selected from (5) five senior secondary schools in Mainland  Local Government Area of Lagos State. Five (5) schools were selected using stratified sampling technique. Then respondents were  selected from the five schools using stratified random sampling technique based on gender and witnessing of domestic violence. The  opinions of the selected respondents were captured with the use of a researcher-developed questionnaire entitled “Witnessing Domestic  Violence Questionnaire” (WDVQ). T-test and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) statistical tools at 0.05 level of significance were used  in the analysis of the data. The results of the study reveal a significant influence of witnessing domestic violence on adolescents' self- concept, with gender differences playing a role. However, age and socioeconomic status do not show significant impacts. The findings underscore the serious implications of witnessing domestic violence on adolescents' social adjustment and psychological development,  emphasizing potential gender-related variations in these experiences. Implementing school-based counseling programs, community  awareness campaigns, and targeted support for affected adolescents can contribute to mitigating the adverse effects and fostering a  healthier development of their self-concept.

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