Final answer:
A conceptual framework aids professionals in solving new and emerging problems quickly. Theories do not become laws over time, and a heuristic is a general problem-solving framework acting as a mental shortcut.
Step-by-step explanation:
A soundly developed conceptual framework within a profession is indeed vital, as it provides a systematic approach to identifying and addressing new challenges. By setting clear guidelines, theories, principles, and research methodologies, a strong framework enables professionals to quickly understand and solve new and emerging problems.
Regarding the statement 'When a theory has been known for a long time, it becomes a law,' this is false. Theories and laws serve different purposes in science. A theory explains why and how a phenomenon occurs, while a law describes the phenomenon under certain conditions, based upon repeated empirical observations. Theories do not become laws, even over time.
The term for a mental shortcut in the form of a general problem-solving framework is known as a heuristic. Unlike an algorithm, which is a step-by-step procedure for solving a problem, a heuristic is more of a rule-of-thumb strategy that may not always guarantee a solution but can simplify complex problems.