Purpose of a Literature Review

Put your salespersons hat and sell your idea!

Use the literature to explain your research.

Show why your research needs to be carried out

(justification).

Show how you choose to work with specific methodologies or theories.

Show how your work adds to the research already carried out.
Components of Chapter 2

Discussion of theoretical or conceptual framework

of study

Synthesis of up-to-date research findings

Discussion of the role of current research

(replication, variation, etc.) and role of

independent variables

Review of strengths and weaknesses of prior

studies

Critique of literature in light of any controversial

methodological decisions to be made

research question

A conceptual framework is an analytical tool with several variations and contexts. It is

used to make conceptual distinctions and organize ideas. Strong conceptual

frameworks capture something real and do this in a way that is easy to remember and

apply.
A theoretical framework consists of concepts and, together with their definitions and
reference to relevant scholarly literature, existing theory that is used for your
particular study. The theoretical framework must demonstrate an understanding of
theories and concepts that are relevant to the topic of your research paper and that relate to
the broader areas of knowledge being considered.

The theoretical framework is most often not something readily found within the
literature. You must review course readings and pertinent research studies for theories and
analytic models that are relevant to the research problem you are investigating. The
selection of a theory should depend on its appropriateness, ease of application, and
explanatory power.