Research Guides: EDL 995: Literature Review

Sources of Information

Literature Reviews within a Scholarly Work
Includes review of what it is, along with video tutorials on writing them. Instructions on how to search for them also included.

Focus on collections of individual sources, arranged alphabetically by citation.
Each one has a brief descriptive and evaluative paragraph.
These are summaries of readings to clarify why the literature fits your research.
They can include personal reactions and opinions, and may use the 1st person.

Are multiple sources organized thematically or chronologically to show connections, trends and / or gaps in existing research.
These provide a summary + critical analysis + synthesis + overview of prior work done on a subject + reveal gaps in research.
Written in 3rd person.

Conceptual and Theoretical Frameworks

Conceptual "is often described as a system of concepts, assumptions, expectations, beliefs and theories that support and inform one’s research" (Hughes, 2019, p. 28).
Theoretical "consists of the selected theory (or theories) that undergirds your thinking with regards to how you understand and plan to research your topic, as well as the concepts and definitions from that theory that are relevant to your topic" (Grant & Osanloo, 2014, p. 13). You can think of the theoretical framework as the structure that supports your research.
According to Kivunja (2018), while "the conceptual framework could be the product of your own thinking about your research study, the theoretical framework comprises other people’s theoretical perspectives that you interpret as relevant to your research, and in particular, helpful in your data analysis and interpretation" (p. 47)

Suggested articles on Theoretical and Conceptual Frameworks: