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Research proposals and theses are routinely required to present a theoretical framework, a conceptual framework or both, yet the two terms are frequently used interchangeably, and a section written to the wrong definition does the wrong job. This article distinguishes them: a theoretical framework is an established theory adopted as a lens, whereas a conceptual framework is the researcher's own model of the concepts or variables in a study and their expected relationships. Thesis extracts illustrate both, and a worked research model shows how a theory is translated into variables and testable hypotheses.

The article also considers whether a study requires both frameworks, where each belongs, how qualitative research uses frameworks, and five recurring errors in student work. It is suited to research-design and thesis-writing courses at master's and doctoral level. The article is the formal edition of a piece first published by Grad Coach and is released under CC BY 4.0.

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