Conceptual Framework Builder
Your variables and hypotheses become a conceptual framework figure, laid out automatically: independent variables on the left, dependent variables on the right, mediators and moderators between them. Edit anything, check how it fits your objectives, and export it for your thesis or paper.
Project details
Enter each variable exactly as you name it elsewhere, one per line.
One per line. Relationships are checked against these.
One per line.
One per line.
One per line.
One per line.
One per line.
Who the hypotheses are about.
Hypotheses
Relationships in the figure come from hypotheses. Until the tools share a saved project, draft them here with the Hypothesis Builder's rules; to edit their wording, use the Hypothesis Builder.
Add at least one independent and one dependent variable to draft hypotheses.
Your framework
Select a box, then use the arrow keys to move it (hold Shift to move further), or drag it. Select a connector to see which hypothesis and objective it comes from.
Text description of the figure
An empty conceptual framework with no variables.
Relationship details
Select a connector in the figure, or a relationship below, to see where it comes from.
Variables
Relationships
No relationships yet. Add one below, or add hypotheses above.
Warnings
No warnings. The figure matches your hypotheses and objectives.
Export
SVG and PDF are vector formats that stay sharp at any size. PNG is exported at 300 DPI. “Copy figure” puts the figure on the clipboard as SVG and PNG for pasting into documents.
Your project draft
This tool writes only the Conceptual framework section. Everything else is shown as you entered it.
Next: Research onion
Your philosophy, approach, methodological choice, strategy, time horizon and techniques.
What should I do next?
Next in the research journey: data.
Questionnaire Builder
Assembles a structured questionnaire from your variables and indicators, explains where every question comes from, and exports it to Word, PDF and Markdown.
SPSS Research Lab
Connects a research question and selected analysis to IBM SPSS Statistics procedures, output tables, assumptions and reporting tools.
- New
Research Table Builder
Builds publication-ready research tables in APA, IEEE, Harvard, Chicago or MLA style, from your data, your results or your project, ready to paste into Word.
SPSS: From data preparation to reporting
A connected guide to preparing research data, choosing a supported analysis, running its IBM SPSS Statistics procedure, checking assumptions, reading output and reporting results.
How the builder works
- The builder reads your project draft: variables, hypotheses, research question and objectives. Enter them in the first steps; later versions will bring them across from the other research tools.
- Every variable you list becomes a box. Relationships come only from your hypotheses: nothing is inferred, so a variable without a hypothesis appears unconnected until you connect it.
- You can add, rename, retype and delete variables and relationships, and move boxes with the mouse or the arrow keys. Warnings explain possible problems but never stop you editing.
- The builder writes only the conceptual framework section of your project draft, so later tools can use the same figure.
How the figure is laid out
- Independent variables sit in a column on the left, dependent variables in a column on the right.
- Moderators sit above the connector they moderate, with an arrow pointing at it. Mediators sit below, between the two columns.
- Control and extraneous variables sit in labelled groups at the bottom.
- Relationship labels, such as “H1 (+)”, sit on their connector. Line style shows the type of relationship: solid, dashed or dotted, with one, two or no arrowheads.
What this tool can't do
- The figure shows the relationships in your hypotheses. It can't judge whether your framework is supported by theory or previous research.
- Layout is automatic and always gives the same result for the same project. Complex frameworks can still have crossing lines; move boxes to improve them.
- PDF export uses the standard Helvetica font, which covers Western European characters only. Other characters appear as “?”: use SVG or PNG for other scripts.
- Text is fitted to boxes using Helvetica measurements. An application that substitutes another font may fit text slightly differently.
- Pasting depends on the application and its version, and not every application accepts SVG from the clipboard. If pasting doesn't work, download the SVG or PNG and insert it as a picture.
- The figure doesn't follow any particular journal's requirements. Check your target journal's figure guidelines.
- Nothing is saved unless you start a project in your research workspace, which keeps it in this browser only. Otherwise the framework is lost when you leave the page.
Awaiting review
- Academic review: how each hypothesis form is drawn (difference as a direct effect, relationship as an association, prediction as an influence), the definitions of the relationship types, and the conventions for drawing moderation and mediation.
- Layout review: spacing, arrow sizes, label placement and type captions, by a designer and an academic reader.
- Export verification: pasting and inserting the figure in Microsoft Word (Windows and Mac), Google Docs, PowerPoint and LibreOffice hasn't yet been checked by hand.
Privacy
Everything stays in your browser. Nothing is sent anywhere or saved, and exports are created on your device. If you start a project in your research workspace, your work is also saved in this browser, and only this browser, until you delete the project.