RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES

Lecture 04.2

WRITING A LITERATURE REVIEW

IMSE Level: 04
Dr. Mokhtar Ali Amrani
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Definition
A literature review is both a summary and explanation of the complete and current state
of knowledge on a limited topic as found in academic books and journal articles.

There are two kinds of literature reviews you might write at university:
1. Students are asked to write as a stand-alone assignment in a course, often as part
of their training in the research processes in their field.
2. Written as part of an introduction to, or preparation for, a longer work, usually a
thesis or research report.

An exploration of the strengths, weaknesses and

future remarks of a particular subject
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Definition
A RESEARCH PAPER/THESIS REQUIRES SEARCHING FOR
INFORMATION RELEVANT TO A GIVEN SUBJECT, ORGANIZING IT, AND
PRESENTING IT EFFECTIVELY IN WRITTEN FORM.

A literature review synthesizes the key theories and results in a field of study. It

describes, evaluates and evaluates a large number of resources, then demonstrates

how work in that area evolved and discusses the influences that made a difference.

As you start collecting articles, books and reports, it’s helpful to categorize them by

the methods they use, the arguments they make or any other classification that

works for you.

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Purpose of the Literature Review
 It gives readers easy access to research on a particular topic by selecting high quality
articles or studies that are relevant, meaningful, important and valid and
summarizing them into one complete report.
 It provides an excellent starting point for researchers beginning to do research in a
new area by forcing them to summarize, evaluate, and compare original research in
that specific area.
 It ensures that researchers do not duplicate work that has already been done.
 It can provide clues as to where future research is heading or recommend areas on
which to focus.
 It highlights key findings.
 It identifies inconsistencies ‫ت‬
( ‫)ا>>لتناق>ضا‬, gaps ‫ت‬
( >‫ )ا>>لفجوا‬and contradictions (‫ا>>لكالم> ا>>لمناق>>ض‬
>‫ )ل>>نفسه‬in the literature.
 It provides a constructive analysis of the methodologies and approaches of other
researchers.
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 Content of the Review
1. Introduction

 The introduction explains the importance of the subject.

 It discusses what kind of work has been done on the topic and identifies any
controversies within the field or any recent research which has raised questions about
earlier assumptions.
 It may provide background or history.
 It concludes with a purpose or thesis statement.

In a stand-alone literature review, this statement will sum up and evaluate the state of
the art in this field of research; in a review that is an introduction or preparatory to a
thesis or research report, it will suggest how the review findings will lead to the research
the writer proposes to undertake.
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 Content of the Review
2. Body

Often divided by headings/subheadings, the body summarizes and evaluates the

current state of knowledge in the field. It notes major themes or topics, the most

important trends, and any findings about which researchers agree or disagree.

If the review is preliminary to your own thesis or research project, its purpose is to

make an argument that will justify your proposed research. Therefore, it will

discuss only that research which leads directly to your own project.

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 Content of the Review
3. Conclusion

The conclusion summarizes all the evidence presented and shows its significance.

If the review is an introduction to your own research, it highlights gaps and indicates
how previous research leads to your own research project and chosen methodology.

If the review is a stand-alone assignment for a course, it should suggest any practical
applications of the research as well as the implications and possibilities for future
research

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 Steps To Writing A Literature Review

1. Find a Working Topic

Look at your specific area of study. Think about what interests you, and what is fertile
ground (‫لخصبة‬//‫الرضا‬//‫ )ا‬for study. Talk to your professor, brainstorm, and read lecture notes
and recent issues of periodicals in the field.

2. Review the Literature

Using keywords, search a computer database. It is best to use at least two databases
relevant to your discipline
Remember that the reference lists of recent articles and reviews can lead to valuable
papers
Make certain that you also include any studies contrary (‫ )مناقض‬to your point of view

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Steps To Writing A Literature Review

3. Focus Your Topic Narrowly and Select Papers Accordingly

Consider the following:

 What interests you?

 What interests others?

 What time span of research will you consider?

Choose an area of research that is due for a review.

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Steps To Writing A Literature Review

4. Read the Selected Articles Thoroughly and Evaluate them

 What assumptions do most/some researchers seem to be making?

 What methodologies do they use? what testing procedures, subjects, material tested?

 Evaluate and synthesize the research findings and conclusions drawn.

 Note experts in the field: names/labs that are frequently referenced.

 Note conflicting theories, results, methodologies.

 Watch for popularity of theories and how this has/has not changed over time.

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Steps To Writing A Literature Review
5. Organize the Selected Papers By Looking For Patterns and By
Developing Subtopics

Note things such as:

Findings that are common/contested
Two or three important trends in the research
The most influential theories

6. Develop a Working Thesis

Write a one or two sentence statement summarizing the conclusion you have reached
about the major trends and developments you see in the research that has been done on
your subject. 12
 Steps To Writing A Literature Review
7. Organize Your Own Paper Based on the Findings From Steps 4 & 5

Develop headings/subheadings. If your literature review is extensive, find a large table

surface, and on it place post-it notes or filing cards to organize all your findings into
categories. Move them around if you decide that (a) they fit better under different headings,
or (b) you need to establish new topic headings.

8. Write the Body of the Paper

Follow the plan you have developed above, making certain that each section links logically
to the one before and after, and that you have divided your sections by themes or subtopics,
not by reporting the work of individual theorists or researchers.
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 Steps To Writing A Literature Review
9. Look At What You Have Written; Focus On Analysis, Not Description

Look at the topic sentences of each paragraph. If you were to read only these sentences,
would you find that your paper presented a clear position, logically developed, from
beginning to end?
If, for example, you find that each paragraph begins with a researcher's name, it might
indicate that, instead of evaluating and comparing the research literature from an
analytical point of view, you have simply described what research has been done. This is
one of the most common problems with student literature reviews.
So if your paper still does not appear to be defined by a central, guiding concept, or if it
does not critically analyze the literature selected, then you should make a new outline
based on what you have said in each section and paragraph of the paper, and decide
whether you need to add information, to delete off-topic information, or to restructure the
paper entirely. 14
 Types of Literature Reviews

 Argumentative Review

 Integrative Review

 Historical Review

 Methodological Review

 Systematic Review

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 Points to consider
Keep your own voice
While the literature review presents others’ ideas, your voice (the writer’s) should remain front and
center. maintain your own voice by starting and ending the paragraph with their own ideas and your own
words.

Use caution when paraphrasing

When paraphrasing a source that is not your own, be sure to represent the author’s information or
opinions accurately and in your own words.

Revise, revise, revise

Draft in hand? Now you’re ready to revise. Spending a lot of time revising is a wise idea, because your
main objective is to present the material, not the argument. So check over your review again to make sure
it follows the assignment and/or your outline. Then, just as you would for most other academic forms of
writing, rewrite or rework the language of your review so that you’ve presented your information in
the most concise manner possible.
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 Common things while writing
1) Identify the broad problem area, but avoid global statements
2) Early in the review, indicate why the topic being reviewed is important
3) Distinguish between research finding and other sources of information
4) Indicate why certain studies are important
5) If a landmark ‫ل‬/‫ستدال‬
( ‫ال‬//‫ة ا‬/‫قط‬//‫ )ن‬study was replicate , (‫ )مكررة‬mention that and indicate the results of the
replication.
6) Discuss other literature reviews on your topic
7) Refer the reader to other reviews on issues that you will not be discussing in details
8) Justify comments such as, "no studies were found."
9) Avoid long lists of nonspecific references.
10) If the results of previous studies are inconsistent or widely varying, cite them separately
11) Cite all relevant references in the review section of thesis, dissertation, or journal article

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1. Maher is planning to take a project on the impact of hydroxyl addition to diesel engine on the performance and
fuel consumption.
2. Ahmed has synthesized biodiesel from waste vegetable oil and is planning to mix with diesel and test the
performance and fuel consumption.
3. Sameer want to conduct a feasibility study on the effect of changing his petrol car gasoline fuel to natural gas
on the performance and fuel consumption.
Journal Name Title of the Review Author References
01 Renewable and Sustainable A comprehensive review on combustion and stability India 240 Ref.
Energy Reviews 70 (2017) aspects of metal nanoparticles and its additive effect 26 pages
563–588 [IF=8.05] on diesel and biodiesel fuelled C.I. engine

02 Progress in Energy and Impacts of additives on performance and emission Iran & 520 Ref.
Combustion Science 59 characteristics of diesel engines during steady state Saudi 47 pages
(2017) 3278 [IF=17.4] operation Arabia

03 Renewable and Sustainable Effects of alternative fuels on the combustion China 173 Ref.
Energy Reviews (2016) characteristics and emission products from diesel 12 Pages
xxxx–xxxx [IF=8.05] engines: A review

04 Renewable and Sustainable Comprehensive overview on diesel additives to Iran 190 Ref.
Energy Reviews 74 (2017) reduce emissions, enhance fuel properties and 11 pages
891–901 [IF=8.05] improve engine performance

05 Renewable and Sustainable Screening of antioxidant additives for biodiesel fuels India 137 Ref.
Energy Reviews, (2017) 12 pages
[IF=8.05]

06 Int. journal of hydrogen Emission and engine performance analysis of a Turkey 32 Ref.
energy xxx (2017) 1-6 diesel engine using hydrogen enriched pomegranate 06 pages
[IF=8.05] seed oil biodiesel.
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1. Hani is planning to take a project on the use of PET bottle wastes for improving mechanical properties of
concrete composite.

2. Ayman is planning to take a project on the use of waste tyres as fibers to reinforce concrete composites.

3. Sameer want to predict a method to reuse plastic carry bags for reinforcement of cement blocks.

Journal Name Title of the Review Author References

01 Renewable and Sustainable Energy Waste tyre pyrolysis – A review Spain 209 Ref.
Reviews 23 (2013) 179–213[IF= 8.05] Colombia
36 pages
02 Procedia Manufacturing 21 (2017) 329– Reuse scenarios of tires textile fibers: Italy 26 Ref.
336 [IF= 0.73] an environmental evaluation 08 pages
03 Construction and Building Materials 156 Green concrete: Prospects and China 450 Ref.
(2017) 1063–1095[IF= 3.17] challenges 33 Pages
04 Renewable and Sustainable Energy A comprehensive review on the India 50 Ref.
Reviews 54 (2016) 1323–1333 [IF=8.05] applications of waste tire rubber in 11 pages
cement concrete

05 Construction and Building Materials 84 A review on mixture design methods China 57 Ref.
(2015) 387–39 [IF=3.17] for self-compacting concrete 12 pages
06 2nd Int. Conf. on Sustainable Civil Eng. Toward green concrete for better Turkey 35 Ref.
Structures and Construction Materials sustainable environment 16 pages
2014 [ IF = ******]
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Safe Environment
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 Does previous works indicated the feasibility of recycling
Tyres for Concrete ??
Al-Akhras and Smadi [ 34] studied on the properties of mortar containing tire rubber ash. Increase in
compressive strength was observed when the tire rubber ash was replaced for fine aggregates up to
10%. The increase in compressive strength of mortar specimens at 90 days were 14%, 21%, 29%, and
45% at tire rubber ash content of 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10%, respectively.

Gesoglu et al. [30, 31] have observed negative effect on the compressive strength of pervious
concrete due to the action of tire rubber. The rate of reduction in compressive strength increased with
increase in the rubber content. Maximum loss in compressive strength was observed in the concrete
specimens containing a mixture of crumb rubber and tire chips.

Holmes et al. [24] mentioned that the significant reductions in compressive strength could be
avoided if the replacement of crumb rubber does not exceed 20% of the total aggregate content.

[34] Al-Akhras N. M., Smadi M. M. Properties of tire rubber ash mortar, Cem. Concr. Compos, 2004 ; 26: 821– 6. IF =
4.3
[30] Gesoğlu M, et al. Investigating properties of pervious concretes containing waste tire rubbers. Constr Build Mater
2014; 63 : 206–13. IF = 3.17
[31] Gesoğlu M, et al., Abrasion and freezing thawing resistance of pervious concretes containing waste rubbers.
Constr Build Mater 2014; 73 : 19–24. IF = 3.17
[24] Holmes N, Browne A, Montague C. Acoustic properties of concrete panels with crumb rubber as a fine aggregate
replacement. Constr Build Mater 2014; 73 : 195–204. . IF = 3.17
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 Does previous works indicated the feasibility of recycling
Tyres for Concrete ??
Ganjian et al. [23] have mentioned the reasons for the decrease in compressive strength of the
rubberized concrete.

a. The aggregates would be surrounded by the cement paste containing rubber particles. This cement
paste would be much softer than that without rubber. This results in rapid development of cracks
around the rubber particles while loading and this leads to quick failure of specimens.
b. There would be lack of proper bonding between rubber particles and cement paste, as compared to
cement paste and natural aggregates. This can lead to cracks due to non uniform distribution of
applied stresses.
c. The compressive strength depends on the physical and mechanical properties of the constituent
materials. If part of the materials is replaced by rubber, reduction in strength will occur.
d. Due to low specific gravity of rubber and lack of bonding of rubber with other concrete materials,
there is a tendency for the rubber to move up wards during vibration leading to higher rubber
concentration at the at top layer. Such a non-homogeneous concrete sample leads to reduced
strengths.

[23] Ganjian E, Khorami M, Maghsoudi A A, Scrap-tyre-rubber replacement for aggregate and filler in
concrete. Constr Build Mater 2009 ; 23 : 1828–36. IF = 3.17

23 ‫) الكالم المذكور اعاله تم اعادة صياغته من قبل المؤلف الجديد بحيث قام باختصار نتائج الباحث رقم‬1 : ‫مالحظات‬
‫واعادة صياغته بلغة جديدة تتناسب مع سياق البحث‬.
2)‫ل‬//‫ عند ارسا‬/‫نه‬/‫ث‬
‫حي ا‬///‫حثكب‬///‫بولب‬//‫مكانية ق‬/‫زيد منا‬//‫لمجلة وهذا ي‬//‫فسا‬//‫درتمنن‬//‫بحاثص‬/‫ علىا‬/‫ختياره‬/‫يا‬///‫لباحثركز ف‬//‫نا‬/‫حظ ا‬/‫ال‬
‫لمجلة‬//‫فسا‬//‫درتمنن‬//‫لتيص‬//‫موضوعكوا‬///‫لعالقة ب‬//‫تا‬/‫البحاثذا‬//‫ ا‬/‫ جميع‬/‫ضع‬///‫نت‬/‫ب‬ ‫ج ا‬//‫يمجلة ي‬/‫ثال‬23‫ح‬///‫ب‬.
1. Ayman is planning to take a project on the use
of waste tyres as fibers to reinforce concrete
composites.

What is Ayman
Decision after reading
this review??

Continue working in
the same area?

Or

change his topic

area?

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