When creating the backdrop of a study, two types of frameworks are used: theoretical and conceptual. A theoretical framework is a large and well-established set of rules, facts, or ideas that serve as the foundation for the research. For example, scientists use the laws of physics when studying objects at a microscopic level. The concepts in a theoretical framework help guide what data to collect and how to analyze it once collected. A conceptual framework is a list of ideas that guide the researcher on what topics to explore and how to organize his or her findings. For example, a scientist might use her understanding of human behavior to come up with a list of concepts - such as trust, loyalty, and prejudice - and then search for evidence that each concept influences scientific research. The conceptual framework helps the researcher focus her efforts and avoid exploring topics that are not relevant to the big picture she is trying to paint. Frameworks are important tools for any researcher to use because they provide a structure that allows him or her to understand what has been done before and what can be done next. Without frameworks, researchers would need to spend an inordinate amount of time developing strong opinions about what data should be collected and how it should be analyzed, which could seriously inhibit progress in their fields of interest.