Conceptual frameworks and Theoretical frameworks get confused all the time. It’s not just students who get them mixed up -- supervisors seem to use these labels interchangeably too.
Here’s my take on it, and I’m happy to discuss…
First, a concept is just a $10 word for an idea. Yes, I know that Philosophy majors and Linguists will be lining up to argue with me, but I’m speaking about how the word concept is used in a thesis. I think of concepts as all those exciting ideas buzzing around in your head in the early stages of your studies. And when you’ve settled on the particular focus of your study, we hear less about concepts and more about theories.
The theoretical framework you choose has a function in relation to your thesis. I helps you to discuss your Findings at the end of the study. For example Maslow developed a Hierarchy of Basic Needs back in 1943 that has served as a theoretical framework for many dissertations since then. You'll choose your own theoretical framework and then you can show how your results are similar to the particular theory you’re using as a framework – or not.
I treat conceptual and theoretical frameworks as two different thesis bookends. That works for me and the students I coach.