In our study, we conducted a systematic review of the available literature on the essential attributes of educational
games and simulations. To conduct this analysis, we used a triangulation method based on research hypotheses to
first create and validate an analysis grid for articles and research reports about the conceptual foundations of
educational games and simulations. We consulted many bibliographic databases and the Internet in order to create a
corpus for our analysis. We then conducted an audit of bibliographical references to identify the critical attributes
and created a knowledge database in which research assistants entered data as they progressed in their literature
review. Finally, we synthesized this knowledge database in order to identify the occurrences and establish critical
attributes of educational games and simulations. In this section, we will present briefly the first two stages of our
methodology.