What is the Difference Between Conceptual and Theoretical Framework?

Theoretical and conceptual frameworks are both essential components of research, guiding and structuring the research process. Although they are closely related, they serve distinct purposes and have different functions.

Theoretical Framework:

• Provides a broad and general view of the research problem, rooted in established theories.
• Explains phenomena by applying a particular theoretical lens.
• Introduces and describes the theory/theories underpinning the research.
• Represents a set of concepts, models, principles, and definitions that make sense of a phenomenon by determining relationships among variables.
• Established and validated by experiments and evidence.

Conceptual Framework:

• Offers a more focused view of the specific research problem.
• Explicitly outlines the concrete concepts and variables involved in the study and the relationships between them.
• Provides a roadmap for your study, helping you visualize your research project and put it into action.
• Defines the relevant variables for your study and maps out how they relate to each other.
• Allows you to draw your own conclusions, mapping out the variables you may use in your study and the interplay between them.

In summary, the main differences between a theoretical and conceptual framework are:

• The theoretical framework is based on existing theories and provides a broader view of the research problem.
• The conceptual framework is more specific and focuses on the research problem at hand, outlining the concepts and variables involved and their relationships.
• The theoretical framework explains the relationships explored within the study, while the conceptual framework presents the overall structure of the study.

Comparative Table: Conceptual vs Theoretical Framework

Here is a table highlighting the differences between a conceptual framework and a theoretical framework:

In summary, a conceptual framework is developed specifically for a research study and is derived from the research question, while a theoretical framework is based on existing theories and provides a broader context for the research problem. Both frameworks are essential components of research, guiding and structuring the research process.