PRACTICAL RESEARCH 2

MODULE 4
Conceptual Framework & Review of Related Literature

What is a Conceptual Framework?

A conceptual framework is a structure which the researcher believes can best explain the flow of the natural progression of the
phenomenon to be studied (Camp, 2001). It is the organization of research variables wherein research problem would be explored. It is
arranged in a logical structure toaid provide a picture or visual display of how ideas in a study relate to one another (Grant & Osanloo, 2014).
Interestingly, conceptual framework shows the series of action the researcher intends carrying out in a research study (Dixon,
Gulliver & Gibbon, 2001). The framework makes it easier for the researcher to easily specify and define the concepts within the problem of
the study (Luse, Mennecke & Townsend, 2012). Miles and Huberman (1994) opine that conceptual frameworks can be graphical or in a
narrative form showing the key variables or constructs to be studied and the presumed relationships between them.

The Importance of Conceptual Framework in Research

The conceptual framework guides the researcher in his investigation to achieve the objectives of the study. It offers many benefits to
a research. For instance, it assists the researcher in identifying and constructing his/her worldview on the phenomenon to be investigated
(Grant & Osanloo, 2014). It is the simplest way through which a researcher presents his/her asserted remedies to the problem s/he has
defined (Akintoye, 2015). It accentuates the reasons why a research topic is worth studying, the assumptions of aresearcher, the scholars s/he
agrees with and disagrees with and how s/he conceptually grounds his/her approach (Evans, 2007). Akintoye (2015) posits that the
conceptual framework is mostly used by researchers when existing theories are not applicable or sufficient in creating a firm structure for
thestudy.
The following is an example of a conceptual framework of the study on Student’s Motivation and Academic Performance of Senior
High Students of Bolocboloc High School, SY 2017-2018 (Deguit, Salinas, Catherine, Samson, Don, 2018). The study posited that that
academic performance of senior high school students is affected by the profile (age, sex, family income) and Motivation (intrinsic, extrinsic).

Paradigm

Profile of Respondents
a. Age
b. Sex Academic
c. Family Income Performance in
Student’s Motivation SHS
a. Intrinsic
b. Extrinsic
Figure 1. Conceptual Framework on Student’s Motivation and Academic Performance of Senior High Students of Bolocboloc High School,
SY 2017- 2018

What is a research hypothesis?

A research hypothesis is a statement of assumption or prediction that will be tested by research.
Before formulating your research hypothesis, read about the topic of interest to you. From your reading, which may include articles, books
and/or cases, you should gain sufficient information about your topic that will enable you to narrow or limit it and express it as a research
question. The research question flows from the topic that you are considering. The research question, when stated as one sentence, is your
Research Hypothesis. In some disciplines, the hypothesis is called a “thesis statement.” Other words for “hypothesized” are “posited,”
“theorized” or “proposed”. Remember, your hypothesis must REQUIRE two or more disciplines, one of which is law. This is essential, since
your paper is interdisciplinary and a demonstration of the interdisciplinary process.
In your hypothesis, you are predicting the relationship between variables. Through the disciplinary insights gained in the research
process throughout the year, you “prove” your hypothesis. This is a process of discovery to create greater understandings or conclusions. It is
not a strict proof as in logic or mathematics.

Example Research Question:

Is there a significant relationship between profile (age, sex, family income) and academic performance of senior high students?

Statement of Research Null hypothesis (Prediction is not true).

There is no significant relationship between profile (age, sex, family income) and academic performance of senior high students.
What is a Literature Review?
A literature review is an objective, thorough summary and critical analysis of the relevant available research and non-research
literature on the topic being studied (Hart, 1998; Cronin, et al., 2008). Its goal is to bring the reader up to date with current literature on a
topic and form the basis for another goal, such as the justification for future research in the area. A good literature review gathers information
about a particular subject from many sources. It is well written and contains few if any personal biases. It should contain a clear search and
selection strategy (Carnwell and Daly, 2001; Cronin, et al., 2008). Good structuring is essential to enhance the flow and readability of the
review (Colling, 2003).

Systematic Literature Review

The purpose of a systematic literature review is to provide as complete a list as possible of all the published and unpublished studies
relating to a particular subject area. It is different with traditional reviews that attempt to summarize results of a number of studies,
systematic reviews use explicit and rigorous criteria to identify, critically evaluate and synthesize all the literature on a particular topic
(Cronin, et al, 2008). Primary purpose of this article is to provide the reader with a comprehensive background for understanding current
knowledge and highlighting the significance of new research. It can inspire research ideas by identifying gaps or inconsistencies in a body of
knowledge, thus helping the researcher to determine or define research questions or hypotheses. Equally, however, it can help refine or focus
a broad research question and is useful for both topic selection and topic refinement. It can also be helpful in developing conceptual or
theoretical frameworks (Coughlan, et al, 2007; Cronnin, et al, 2008). A systematic review should feature the time frame within which the
literature was selected, as well as the methods used to evaluate and synthesize findings of the studies in question. In order for the reader to
assess the reliability and validity of the review (see figure 1), the reviewer needs to present the precise criteria used to:
(a) Formulate the research question;
(b) Set inclusion or exclusion criteria;
(c) Select and access the literature;
(d) Asses the quality of the literature includes in the review;
(e) Analyze, synthesize, and disseminate the findings.

Searching and selecting appropriate articles

The next step after selected a topic is to identify, in a structured way, the appropriate and related information. A systematic approach
is considered most likely to produce a review that will be advantageous in notifying practice. The comprehensiveness and relevance are what
reviewers need to considerand add that the more specific the topic or question being searched is, the more focused the result will be (Cronin
et al, 2008). The types of articles that are selected for a good review of literature are theoretical presentations, review articles, and empirical
research articles. Choosing the work of a single researcher may be one method for starting a literature review. Your presentation will be more
powerful if conflicting theoretical positions and findings are presented along with the position or prediction that you supportin your paper.
You should choose several researchers' works that have addedto the knowledge base in a specific area. Strive to eliminate (or explain away)
articles that have faulty methods or that use faulty reasoning to support their findings.
Analyzing and synthesizing the literature
After you have collected the articles, you intend to use in your literature review, you are ready to analyze each one (break it down
and identify the important information in it) and then synthesize the collection of articles (integrate them and identify the conclusions that
can be drawn from the articles as a group). Initially, it is advisable to undertake a first read of the articles that have been collected to get a
sense of what they are about. Most published articles contain a summary or abstract at the beginning of the paper, which will assist with this
process and enable the decision as to whether it is worthy of further reading or inclusion. At this point, it may also be of benefit to undertake
an initial classification and grouping of the articles by type of source (Cronin, et al, 2008).

PERFORMANCE TASK
Write a conceptual framework of your chosen topic. Provide a paradigm and textual explanation.
ACTIVITY
Directions. Read each item carefully. Write the letter that corresponds to your answers.
1. A structure which the researcher believes can best explain the natural progression of the phenomenon to be studied .
a. hypothetical b. conceptual
c. theoretical d. assumed theory
2. A prediction of the outcome of a study is .
a. hypothesis b. scope
c. concept d. summary
3. It is arranged in a logical structure to aid provide a picture or visual display of how ideas in a study relate to one another is
a. Conceptual framework b. theoretical framework
c. hypothetical framework d. conjectural framework
4. It is well written and contains few if any personal biases is .
a. theories b. hypothesis
c. assumption d. literature
5. The reviewer/researcher needs to present the precise criteria except:
a. Formulate the research question
b. Set inclusion or exclusion criteria
c. Select and access the literature
d. provides opportunity to jump into conclusion
6. a_____is considered most likely to produce a review that will be advantageous in notifying practice.
a. simplified approach b. systematic approach
c. Basic approach c. organized approach
7. The following are main purposes of systematic review of literature except:
a. To provide the reader with a comprehensive background for understanding current knowledge.
b. Highlighting the significance of new research.
c. It can inspire research ideas by identifying gaps or inconsistencies in a body of knowledge.
d. To providing the common blunders in identifying the solution of the problem
8. The key to a good research paper is the ability to present the findings in such a way that it demonstrates your knowledge in a clear
and consistent way.
a. literature review b. conceptual framework
c. Theoretical framework d. hypothesis
9. The following are overall aims of theoretical and conceptual framework except:
a. Explains the path of a research
b. Grounds it firmly in theoretical constructs.
c. To make research findings more meaningful
d. summarizes the findings and conclusions of the study
10.The following are components of hypothesis except:
a. The variables c. The relationship between the variables
b. The population d. The significance of the stud