DEFINITION OF CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

1. A conceptual framework represents the researcher’s synthesis of literature on

how to explain a phenomenon. It maps out the actions required in the course of
the study given his previous knowledge of other researchers’ point of view and
his observations on the subject of research.

In other words, the conceptual framework is the researcher’s understanding of how the
particular variables in his study connect with each other. Thus, it identifies the variables
required in the research investigation. It is the researcher’s “map” in pursuing the
investigation.

2. A conceptual framework is a bit like a recipe or a blueprint. It provides an outline of

how you plan to conduct the research for your thesis, but it goes further than that by
also positioning your work within the larger field of research. Writing a conceptual
framework can not only help to guide your thesis to ensure that your research stays
on track, but it also helps to guide fellow researchers or advisers who are analyzing
your thesis.

DATA FLOW DIAGRAM

1. A data flow diagram (DFD) illustrates how data is processed by a system in terms of
inputs and outputs. As its name indicates its focus is on the flow of information, where
data comes from, where it goes and how it gets stored.

2. A data flow diagram (DFD) is a graphical representation of the "flow" of data

through an information system, modelling its process aspects. A DFD is often
used as a preliminary step to create an overview of the system without going into
great detail, which can later be elaborated.[2] DFDs can also be used for
the visualization of data processing (structured design).

WHAT IS CONTEXT DIAGRAM?

The Context Diagram shows the system under consideration as a single high-level process and
then shows the relationship that the system has with other external entities (systems,
organizational groups, external data stores, etc.).

Another name for a Context Diagram is a Context-Level Data-Flow Diagram or a Level-0 Data
Flow Diagram. Since a Context Diagram is a specialized version of Data-Flow Diagram,
understanding a bit about Data-Flow Diagrams can be helpful.
A Data-Flow Diagram (DFD) is a graphical visualization of the movement of data through an
information system. DFDs are one of the three essential components of the structured-systems
analysis and design method (SSADM). A DFD is process centric and depicts 4 main
components.

 Processes (circle)
 External Entities (rectangle)
 Data Stores (two horizontal, parallel lines or sometimes and ellipse)
 Data Flows (curved or straight line with arrowhead indicating flow direction)
Each DFD may show a number of processes with data flowing into and out of each process. If
there is a need to show more detail within a particular process, the process is decomposed into
a number of smaller processes in a lower level DFD. In this way, the Content Diagram or
Context-Level DFD is labeled a “Level-0 DFD” while the next level of decomposition is labeled a
“Level-1 DFD”, the next is labeled a “Level-2 DFD”, and so on.

Context Diagrams and Data-Flow Diagrams were created for systems analysis and design. But
like many analysis tools they have been leveraged for other purposes. For example, they can
also be leveraged to capture and communicate the interactions and flow of data between
business processes. So, they don’t have to be restricted to systems analysis.

USE CASE DIAGRAM (UML USE CASE DIAGRAM)

A use case diagram is a graphic depiction of the interactions among the elements of a
system.

A use case is a methodology used in system analysis to identify, clarify, and organize system
requirements. In this context, the term "system" refers to something being developed or
operated, such as a mail-order product sales and service Web site. Use case diagrams are
employed in UML (Unified Modeling Language), a standard notation for the modeling of
real-world objects and systems.

System objectives can include planning overall requirements, validating a hardware design,
testing and debugging a software product under development, creating an online help
reference, or performing a consumer-service-oriented task. For example, use cases in a
product sales environment would include item ordering, catalog updating, payment
processing, and customer relations. A use case diagram contains four components.

 The boundary, which defines the system of interest in relation to the world around it.
 The actors, usually individuals involved with the system defined according to their roles.
 The use cases, which are the specific roles played by the actors within and around the
system.
 The relationships between and among the actors and the use cases.

Table of contents
1. A table of contents, usually headed simply Contents and abbreviated
informally as TOC, is a list, usually found on a page before the start of a
written work, of its chapter or section titles or brief descriptions with their
commencing page numbers.

Form
A table of contents usually includes the titles or descriptions of the first-
level headers, such as chapter titles in longer works, and often includes
second-level or section titles (A-heads) within the chapters as well, and
occasionally even third-level titles (subsections or B-heads). The depth of
detail in tables of contents depends on the length of the work, with longer
works having less. Formal reports (ten or more pages and being too long to
put into a memo or letter) also have a table of contents. Within an English-
language book, the table of contents usually appears after the title
page, copyright notices, and, in technical journals, the abstract; and before
any lists of tables or figures, the foreword, and the preface.

2. Table of Contents
The Table of Contents (TOC) is an organized listing of the chapters and major sections
of your document. Readers will immediately be able to see how your manuscript is
organized and then skip down to sections that are most relevant to them. A clear,
concise, and well formatted TOC is the first indicator of a good research paper.
CHECKLIST FOR TABLE OF CONTENTS

 Appropriately formatted
 Lists all main sections of the document starting with the Dedication page. If the
Dedication page is not used, then starts with the Abstract page.
 Lists the titles of each chapter, plus all Heading Level 2's -- these are the main
sections within each chapter. Do not list any subsections.
 All titles and headings match what appears in the text exactly.
 All page numbers are correct.