EMPIRICAL RESEARCH, QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH, RESEARCH CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK: A STEP BY STEP GUIDE ON HOW TO MAKE ONE JANUARY 5, 2015 460 COMMENTS What is a conceptual framework? How do you prepare one? This article defines the meaning of conceptual framework and lists the steps on how to prepare it. A simplified example is added to strengthen the reader’s understanding. In the course of preparing your research paper as one of the requirements for your course as an undergraduate or graduate student, you will need to write the conceptual framework of your study. The conceptual framework steers the whole research activity. The conceptual framework serves as a “map” or “rudder” that will guide you towards realizing the objectives or intent of your study. What then is a conceptual framework in the context of empirical research? The next section defines and explains the term. Definition of Conceptual Framework A conceptual framework represents the researcher’s synthesis of literature on how to explain a phenomenon. It maps out the actions required in the course of the study given his previous knowledge of other researchers’ point of view and his observations on the subject of research.