The Link between Social Capital and Learning Outcomes: A literature review

Abstract

There is comprehensive body of evidence linking social capital to academic success and other learning outcomes. The array of evidence discovered in various studies suggests that social capital impinges positively on student learning outcomes. The literature review was carried out to identify research needs of the social capital theory. The review sought to identify key issues that if well addressed would aid educationists to unravel the full benefits of the social capital concept. To that end, a number of empirical studies that have been conducted in different countries across the globe were reviewed. On the grounds of the evidence of the review, it could be concluded that social capital positively and significantly influences student educational outcomes. Nonetheless, the studies have shown only adequate quantitative evidence on the benefits of social capital on student learning outcomes without much qualitative evidence. It is, therefore, recommended that studies be done to ascertain the impact of social capital on children learning outcomes using the qualitative and mixed method paradigms