What is the Meaning & Definition of Conceptual framework

The term conceptual framework is basically used in the field of research with scientific character. Conceptual framework refers to the general representation of all the information that is handled in the research process.

Different sections in any investigation

To carry to term an investigation into something is necessary to properly handle certain basic concepts. First of all, be part of the approach of the problem being addressed. Then the investigator must expose their working hypothesis, i.e., their proposal, the solution that aims to explain the problem. From this point, presents the methodology (which may be based on the deductive, inductive method, or a combination of both). Then a series of objective data that support the initial hypothesis are handled and the data obtained are tested (the moment of verification of the hypothesis). There are other sections that make up this complex process: the use of literature, history of the problem and the theoretical foundations (laws and theories involved in research), as well as results and final conclusions. In this way, all these elements are intertwined and form a general conceptual framework.
The conceptual framework is a graphical representation that is usually presented in the form of tree or scheme and which provides an overview of a particular study. In other words, is a guide that allows you to understand the sections of a research and how they relate to each other.

Clarification of some terms

There are a number of similar terms to which it analysed here: theoretical map, framework and concept map. It is worth to try to clarify these terms, because they can easily be confused.
Conceptual framework and conceptual map are typically used as synonyms. If we speak of theoretical framework we refer to the scientific paradigm that comprises a series of general laws and theories (e.g., the theory of evolution is the theoretical framework of the majority of scientific explanations in the field of Biology). As for the frame of reference, refers to the set of information used by a researcher to conduct their research in a given area.
The meaning of these terms as such among themselves is relevant because without a definition of each researcher can not order knowledge in a coherent way. In conclusion, the term conceptual framework allows to understand and situate the object of study, similar to a picture frame is what allows that we can understand a picture as a whole.