This document discusses the key differences between concepts and variables, and conceptual frameworks versus theoretical frameworks in research. A concept is an idea expressed through symbols or words, while a variable can be observed and measured. A conceptual framework is based on qualitative research like interviews and is non-empirical, while a theoretical framework specifies dependent, independent, moderating and intervening variables and can be tested empirically. The document provides examples and briefly outlines research design purposes like exploration, description and hypothesis testing. It concludes with an exercise to develop frameworks for two research questions.