FROM CHOICE OF CONCEPTS TO DESIGNING STATISTICALLY TESTABLE MODELS: ON THE CENTRALITY OF DEVELOPING CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORKS IN RESEARCH

Abstract

The divergence in the application of nomological network of concepts, constructs or variables in
the report of conceptual frameworks at different levels of research is a concern to intellectual,
skilled, and experienced research scholars. Sometimes, conceptual framework is erroneously
reported as a collection of operational definition of concepts or even as a research design. This
study is, therefore, in two folds: to x-ray the practical examples of more realistic and statistically
testable conceptual models to foster less experienced researchers’ knowledge in developing and
reporting conceptual framework in research; and to investigate students’ abilities in reporting
conceptual framework in their research. The study adopted literature review approach with a
mixed method design. This study sampled postgraduate (PG) students (N = 21), drawn from a
faculty in Nnamdi Azikiwe University from 2019 to 2021, as well as PG students’ certified and
approved theses/dissertations (N = 125). Observation checklist was used for the quantitative
data collection, while a semi-structured interview was used for the qualitative data collection.
Percentage was employed to analyze the quantitative data, while thematic analysis was applied
for the qualitative data. Reviews demonstrated practical guides and examples of conceptual
models. Findings revealed poor students’ skills in designing and reporting acceptable
conceptual frameworks. Hence, recommendations were made for improvement.