RESEARCH

FRAMEWORK
 Research Framework
illustrates the structure or blueprint of the
research plan and helps the researcher formulate
relevant research questions. The framework
consists of the key concepts and assumed
relationships of the research project. It can be
presented using visual (diagrams, chart, etc.) and
narrative (paragraph stating the concepts and
relationships of the study) forms.
 Theoretical and Conceptual
Framework
• A theoretical framework is commonly
used for studies that anchor on time-
tested theories that relate the findings of
the investigation to the underpinning
relevant theory of knowledge.
• A conceptual framework refers to the
actual ideas, beliefs, and tentative
theories that specifically support the
study. It is primarily a conception or
model of what is out there that the
 Similarities of the
Theoretical and Conceptual Framework
• 1. Provide an overall view of the research study;
• 2. Anchor a theory that supports the study;
• 3. Guide in developing relevant research
questions/objectives;
• 4. Help justify assumptions/hypothesis;
• 5. Aid in choosing appropriate methodology;
• 6. Help in gathering and interpreting data and
• 7. Guide in identifying possible threats to validity.
 Differences between
Theoretical and Conceptual Framework
These are the following guidelines and strategies of
choosing and developing a Research Framework according
to Barrot (2017, p.73).
Theoretical framework
• Understand the variables included in your study as well
as their relationship with one another.
• Review the existing literature related to your research
topic.
• Using the information that you have gathered from the
literature, look for possible theories that may potentially
account for the expected results of your research topic.
• From these theories, select the one that is most relevant
These are the following guidelines and strategies of
choosing and developing a Research Framework
according to Barrot (2017, p.73).
Conceptual framework
• Identify the key concepts in your study by
referring to your research questions or
objectives.
• Search for existing theories that incorporate the
same concept and look into their relationships
with one another.
• Using the existing theories as a guide, plot your
conceptual framework using a concept map.
These are the following guidelines and strategies of
choosing and developing a Research Framework according
to Barrot (2017, p.73).
Conceptual framework
• In case that there are concepts not covered by
the selected theories. Incorporate them into your
framework. However, make sure that you are
incorporating this concept into your framework
because it is necessary for your paper.
• After completing the initial draft of your
conceptual framework, write a narrative
explanation of each concept and how each of
These are the following guidelines and strategies of
choosing and developing a Research Framework according
to Barrot (2017, p.73).
Conceptual framework
• Refer once again to your research questions.
Check if the conceptual framework is aligned
with them.
• Note that the process of creating a conceptual
framework is developmental. This means that it
may still be refined or changed as you read more
literature and look into more theories.
• In some cases, the research hypothesis is
 Concept Map
a visual representation of information
that helps show the relationship between
ideas. Concept maps begin with the main
topic and then branch out into sub-topics,
reflecting the connection of all the
elements in the study. It can also provide
and organize new ideas.
It is composed of different figures such as
lines, circles, boxes, and other marks or
• Independent Variable
is the “presumed cause” of the research
problem. It is the reason for any “change” or
difference in a dependent variable. It can be
purposely manipulated
Dependent Variable by the researcher,
depending on the focus of the study.
is the “presumed effect” of the research
problem. It is usually the problem itself or the
element that is being questioned. This variable
is altered as a result of experimental
manipulation of the independent variable or
variables.
Moderating variable
is an independent variable which
influences the direction and the
strength of the connection between
independent and dependent variables.
The independent variable interacts
with the moderator variable, which
makes the relationship of the
independent and dependent variable
Mediating variable or Intervening
variable
is an element that exists between the
independent to the dependent
variable. A mediator (or mediating)
variable is an integral part of the
cause-effect relationship and helps us
to understand the effects of the
independent variable on the dependent
variable.
Control variable
is a special type of independent
variable that can influence the
dependent variable. It takes an active
role in quantitative studies. Statistical
procedures are used to control this
variable. It is useful to integrate the
control variables into your research
study, but it is not the main focus
 The Input-Process-Output Model
• The Input-Process-Output Model (IPO) is a conceptual
paradigm which indicates the inputs, required process,
and the output. This approach is seated on the premise
of acquiring essential information by converting inputs
into outputs through the required processing steps in
obtaining the result.
• Input is usually the independent variable of the study.
Meanwhile, the Process is the intervention or solution
consist of the instruments and analyses used to
acquire the result.
• Output is the findings or outcome of the interventions
Common Example of Conceptual
Framework
Common Example of Conceptual
Framework
Elements/Factors
1. Health Care Facilities
2. Work Experience of the
Medical Team
3. Medical intervention
4. Social Status of the Patient
5. Number of Patients
Recovered from
Pneumonia
6. Immune System of the
Patient
 Review of Related Literature
• a compilation of studies related to a specific
area of research. It evaluates, classifies and
summarizes all the relevant previous studies
conducted on a specified topic. It is also design
to justify your research by exposing the gaps of
the previous studies. It is vital that your
literature review is centralized. Thus, you should
choose studies that are focused to your topic
rather than collecting a broader scope of studies
 Purpose of a Literature Review
1. To discover the connection of your research to the
existing body of knowledge and to the real-life
situations.
2. To identify more theories or concepts as the
foundation of your research study and learn from
them.
3. To determine the relationship of your research
with previous research studies to prevent
duplication and to acknowledge other researchers.
4. To acquire knowledge on the accuracy and
 Purpose of a Literature Review
5. To acquaint yourself with the technical
terminologies relevant to your study.
6. To determine possible gaps, conflicts, and open
questions left from other researches which might
help you in formulating and justifying your research
ideas.
7. To clarify misconceptions on previous researches
and help refocus, polish, and contribute to the
development of the body of knowledge.
 Structure of Literature Review
1. Introduction
presents the fundamental idea of the particular study of
the literature review.
2. Main Body
consists of the organized discussion of sources. This is
where you summarize and synthesize your literature
review and reflect how they related to your study.
3. Conclusions/Recommendations
emphasized what you have learned from reviewing the
literature and where would your study leads to.
 Type of Sources for a Literature
Review
• General references are sources in which a
researcher refers to tract down other sources.
• Primary sources are publications in which a
researcher accounts the findings of his or her
investigations. Most primary sources are found
in journal articles.
• Secondary sources are publications in which
a researcher considers the work of others.
 Where can you find review of
related literature?
• 1. Books
• 2. Scholarly Journals
• 3. Dissertations Dissertation
• 4. Government Documents
• 5. Policy Reports and Presented Papers Policy
• 6. Periodicals
 Steps in Writing Literature Review
• 1. Find/Search for the Relevant Literature
a. Search engines to facilitate your information
inquiry. Make sure that they are reliable.
b. University online library
c. Snowballing
d. Related dissertations
• 2. Log, Catalogue and Synthesize
• 3. Outlining and Writing Up
 In-text Citation and Referencing
Styles
Citation
is a reference to a literature being used in your
study. It is a way of giving acknowledgement to
the authors whom you have referred their
intellectual works and creativity as a support or
foundation of your research. Typically, citations
include author’s name, date, publisher
information, journal information and/or DOI
(Digital Objective Identifier) if present.
 In-text Citation
is a reference made within the body of text
in the paper. It leads the reader to a source
where a particular information has been
taken of. An in-text citation should be
reflected when you refer, paraphrase,
summarize, or quote from another author.
A corresponding reference list must be
provided at the end of the study as
references or bibliography.
 Reference Citation
A references typically includes only the
sources that you have mentioned or cited
in-text in your paper, while a bibliography,
is generally a list of all the sources you
used to generate your ideas about your
research even if you have not mentioned or
cited them in your paper.