This is a very useful question and an important one for beginning your study. In general research studies will have a conceptual or theoretical framework. Usually you determine which concepts and/or theories relate to your work by reading through other studies. For instance, which studies for instance align with your topic and interest? I am attaching my dissertation which goes into detailed steps of how I developed my theoretical interdisciplinary framework which you can consider for the steps of putting together your conceptual or theoretical framework. Good luck!

My experience is to identify a conceptual framework, which is closely related to the topic of your research. Be careful, you do not "come up" a framework. The framework needs to be fully supported by the existing literature.

If you are using a Grounded Theory approach, you might not need a conceptual framework.

I would recommend, as a starting point, going back though your literature review and seeing what conceptual approaches have been taken to your topic by other researchers.

Are there any dominant theories or models being used? Are there any approaches that haven't been taken, but which you think could add something new to the analysis of your area? Can you combine elements of different approaches to help you to analyse your area?

As Lihong Zhou says above, you do not 'come up with' your framework - it is important that the franmework that you use is based on a thorough understanding of research on your topic.

Finally, I would recommend discussing and presenting your ideas about a conceptual framework with colleagues. It is easy to get lost in theory and talking in through will help you to be more clear about the choices you are making!

Good luck :-)

Sorry to disagree with quite some of the above answers.

Practically speaking and if right now, you are mostly interested in an answer on how to get going and how make some process deciding on the next steps of your research - in that case I would stress another element: Empirical work and familiarity with your subject. Unlike pretended in academic procedure (and most likely in the end by your publication as well ;-) ...), I would recommend you to practically and impirically dwelve in your subject. Get familiar with the terrain - i.e. the issues, how they express and take note of their "smell", how they relate to each other and what they consist (are constructed or assembled) of. In the metaphor of the mountain or forest path by Susan Hunston (www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-1IJJ6qJOg&feature=youtu.be&t=721, start min. 12:00), look for accessible terrain, watch out for crevaces and look out for nice flowers on the way...

(For me as a geologist, the term 'terrain' can be taken quite literally.)

Good luck!

Clemens