One of the many possible ways to view research is to see it as a process for the production of explicit knowledge. In this view paradigms and theory are brought to, and emerge from, research projects and it is the articulation of these conceptual frameworks that constitute a project's contribution to knowledge. In empirical research phenomena under investigation are explicitly conceptualised within a discourse to create descriptions of the phenomena, give an account of their dynamics, to make predictions about them, to design interventions in them and so on. The nature of conceptual frameworks is the subject of the investigation reported here.

Many texts on research methods have a section on the conceptual framework. Rarely are these sections clear about the various types of conceptual models, the means for their expression or the different roles a conceptual framework may play in a research project. A project is being conducted to investigate these issues. Recent PhD graduates from a wide range of disciplines are participating in in-depth interviews. To date 18 participants from Classics, Social science, Informatics, Science, education, Design, Management, Law and Art have provided data about their understanding of the term 'conceptual framework', how and when it emerged and changed in their research project, what form it took and the various purposes it fulfilled (or didn't).

Analysis so far reveals the conceptual framework as a pivotal component in research whether it be a given at the research initiation phase (as is common in science), or is generated as a means of conceptualising phenomena or reflecting on it throughout (social science and humanities) or as criteria for design (informatics). In most cases it was seen as a significant component of the final thesis and of communicating research results. The forms of expression of conceptual frameworks vary from formal constructs with variables, measurement methods and causal chains through to a textural exegesis accompanying art works. In between are various forms of argument and emergent, interpretative constructs.

Some of the emerging issues concern the lack of accessible theory around conceptual frameworks or the means of deploying them in practice, means of expression of conceptual thinking, faithfulness of the framework to phenomena, utility in communication, internal coherence and conformance to a body of literature among a range of other concerns. It appears, given the apparent importance of conceptual frameworks to research and the wide-ranging intellectual issues they raise, that this is a valuable area for concerted research.