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National American University Online Library: Dissertation Resources

(The new library site includes APA 7 guidance, a getting-started video, and slides describing the library resources and how to use the online library.)

Resources for Literature Review

A literature review is “a summary of what the scientific literature says about your specific topic or question and is, therefore, exploratory and must pull together the information that is presented in many disparate sources to form one, cohesive picture of the research field. 

How do you pull these resources you need to write a literature review together? Library databases are a great place to start. You may also use Google Scholar to conduct your search and email the NAU librarian for additional help. 

For additional information about conducting literature reviews, see the sources below:

Theoretical vs. Conceptual Framework

Understanding the Difference

While both conceptual and theoretical frameworks are crucial for guiding your dissertation research, they serve distinct purposes and have different characteristics:

  • Theoretical Framework:

    • Focus: Provides a broad, overarching lens through which you view your research problem. It's based on existing, well-established theories in your field.
    • Purpose: Explains the phenomena you're studying by applying a particular theoretical perspective. It helps you understand the underlying mechanisms and assumptions that shape your research.
    • Characteristics:
      • Often draws on multiple theories.
      • Provides a strong foundation for your research.
      • Guides your research questions and methodology.

  • Conceptual Framework:

    • Focus: More specific to your particular research problem. It outlines the key concepts and variables involved in your study and how they relate to each other.
    • Purpose: Helps you organize your thoughts and visualize the relationships between different aspects of your research. It serves as a roadmap for your study.
    • Characteristics:
      • Often represented visually (e.g., diagrams, models).
      • May be based on a specific theory or a combination of theories.
      • Guides data collection and analysis.

In simpler terms:

  • Theoretical Framework: The "why" behind your research. It explains the underlying principles and theories that inform your study.
  • Conceptual Framework: The "how" of your research. It outlines the specific concepts and relationships you'll be investigating.

Example:

Let's say you're researching the impact of social media on adolescent mental health.

  • Theoretical Framework: You might draw on theories of social comparison, self-esteem, and the psychosocial development of adolescents. These theories provide a broad understanding of the factors that influence mental well-being.
  • Conceptual Framework: You might create a model that illustrates the relationships between social media use, social comparison, self-esteem, and mental health outcomes. This model would guide your data collection and analysis.

Open AI. (2024)Gemini. (December 26 version) [Large language model] https://gemini.google.com/app/def468db9ef946c5

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