چارچوب مفهومی

استفاده از اصطلاح چارچوب مفهومی عبور هر دو مقیاس (بزرگ و کوچک تئوری) و زمینه‌های (علوم اجتماعی بازاریابی applied science هنر و غیره) رایج است.

برای روش چارچوب مفهومی روشهایی ارائه شده است:

• Working hypothesis – Exploration or Exploratory research
• Descriptive categories – Description or Descriptive research
• Practical ideal type – Analysis (Gauging)
• Models of operations research – Decision making
• Formal hypothesis – Explanation and Prediction

• Analogy
• Concept
• Conceptual system
• Ontology
• Theory
• Paradigm

• Kaplan, Abraham. (1964). The Conduct of Inquiry: Methodology for Behavioral Science. Scranton, PA: Chandler Publishing Co. ISBN 978-0-352-11700-7
• Botha, M.E. (1989), "Theory Development in Perspective: The Role of Conceptual Frameworks and Models in Theory Development", Journal of Advanced Nursing 14(1), 49–55. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.1989.tb03404.x
• Dewey, John. (1938). Logic: The Theory of Inquiry. New York: Hold Rinehart and Winston. ISBN 978-0-03-005250-7
• Shields, Patricia, Jed and Nandhini Rangarjan. 2013. A Playbook for Research Methods: Integrating Conceptual Frameworks and Project Management. Stillwater, OK: New Forums Press. ISBN 978-1-58107-247-1