Darko M. Markovic, Ph.D* CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH Abstract Conceptual framework is the foundation of scientifc research, and it is formed from previous knowledge about the researched phenomenon. It is an integral part of theoretical framework, made with the aim to include key terms, presented within the bibliography, and create a suitable plat- form to develop the research correctly. More often with students prepar- ing their fnal papers, and not so rarely with established researchers, the problem arises when it comes to conceptualizing research. A common unknown is how to divide conceptual from theoretical framework, and what conceptual framework of scientifc research actually is. The aim of this paper is to clarify conceptualization of scientifc research, and, by clarifying it, to point out the signifcance of diferentiation between con- ceptual and theoretical framework, going on to give basic guidelines on how to form one, and therefore ease the understanding of it and applica- tion in scientifc research. Key words: research, conceptualization, conceptual framework, method- ology, science, theoretical framework. “The knowledge we have gained should not look like a big shop in a mess and no inventory. We need to know what all we have and to use them as needed.” Seneca Pregledni rad UDC: 001.81 Primljeno: 21.09.2019. Odobreno: 20.10.2019. * Assistant Professor Darko M. Markovic, Ph.D Faculty of European Legal and Political Studies, Educons University, Novi Sad. Email: darko.bg.ns@gmail.com.