literature review
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The document provides an overview of conducting and organizing a literature review. It discusses that a literature review surveys and critically evaluates relevant scholarly sources on a particular topic and provides context for a research study. It outlines the process of formulating a research problem, searching literature, critically analyzing sources, and organizing the review. Key steps include determining if a problem needs further research, narrowing a focus, generating hypotheses, understanding the field, and critiquing sources for their assumptions, methods, findings and implications. The document provides tips for writing the review such as introducing and summarizing subtopics and connecting them to the overall topic.
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literature review
- 1. Review of the Related Literature Organizing & Writing a Literature Review
- 2. The Literature Review is… A discussion of your knowledge about the topic under study A discussion of your knowledge that is supported by the research literature A foundation for the study
- 3. The Literature Review is not … A study-by-study, or article-by-article, description of studies previously done A re-statement of the studies previously done A brief overview of articles
- 4. Reviewing the Literature Begin with a search of the available literature Critically analyze each article (study) you select Organize the review with an outline Write the review Summarize the review Using the literature, present a rationale for your study
- 5. A literature review surveys scholarly articles, books and other sources (e.g. dissertations, conference proceedings) relevant to a particular issue, area of research, or theory. provides a short description and critical evaluation of work critical to the topic. offers an overview of significant literature published on a topic. (Lyons, 2005) Definition of a Literature Review
- 6. For a review paper 2. For the introduction (and discussion) of a research paper, masters thesis or dissertation 3. To embark on a new area of research 4. For a research proposal (Burge, 2005) Literature Reviews are Conducted For Various Reasons:
- 7. Determine if proposed research is actually needed. Even if similar research published, researchers might suggest a need for similar studies or replication . Narrow down a problem. It can be overwhelming getting into the literature of a field of study . A literature review can help you understand where you need to focus your efforts. Generate hypotheses or questions for further studies. (Mauch & Birch, 2003) Conducting a literature review will help you:
- 8. Background knowledge of the field of inquiry Facts Eminent scholars Parameters of the field The most important ideas, theories, questions and hypotheses. Knowledge of the methodologies common to the field and a feeling for their usefulness and appropriateness in various settings. (Mauch & Birch, 2003) Conducting a literature review will give you:
- 9. Formulate a problem - which topic or field is being examined and what are its component issues? Search the literature for materials relevant to the subject being explored. searching the literature involves reading and refining your problem Evaluate the data - determine which literature makes a significant contribution to the understanding of the topic Analyze and interpret - discuss the findings and conclusions of pertinent literature Format and create bibliography (Lyons, 2005) Outline of Review Process
- 10. Tips on Formulating a Problem Select a topic you are interested in You want to be fascinated throughout the process and less likely to lose motivation. Choose a topic with a feasible focus. Keep the focus clear and defined and it will be easier to complete than something huge like "headaches“ Get Help - get it early and often. Solicit opinions before you begin, review drafts once start them You may want to start out with a general idea, review the literature of that area, and then refine your problem based on what you have found. (Green, Johnson, & Adams, 2006)
- 11. Critically Analyzing the Literature Abstract the author’s description of the study related to your area of interest? conclusions relevant? Statement of the Problem restate the topic problem stated clearly? purpose? significance? Hypothesis or Research Question(s) Clearly stated? Relevant? Related to your area of interest? Assumptions Explicit assumptions? Implicit assumptions Similar to yours?
- 12. Critically Analyzing the Literature Delimitations How was the study narrowed? Which considerations are relevant to your study? Definitions Key concepts & terms?
- 13. Critically Analyzing the Literature Method research design? population & sample? measurement? procedures? Findings make sense? what do they say about your area of interest? Discussion Presented clearly? Meaningful interpretations? Implications discussed? Suggestions or recommendations? Limits to practical application? Conclusion What did you learn? Re-state your new knowledge
- 14. Organizing the Literature Search: the Tree Diagram subtopic Topic subtopic subtopic subtopic subtopic subtopic subtopic
- 15. Writing the Literature Review Always begin with an introduction to the review & end with a summary Make the connection for the reader between the subtopics & the topic Use direct quotations infrequently Always cite your sources Present your knowledge on the topics & subtopics Summarize each subtopic Include a transition paragraph from one subtopic to the next
- 16. Writing Use APA style & format Have your work proofread before submitting Follow all format guidelines Must be a thorough review, reflected by the depth of the discussion Should begin prior to the implementation of the study
Editor's Notes
- The Literature Review is a discussion of your knowledge of the research related to your topic of study. It is not a study-by-study, or article-by-article, rendering! The Literature Review should provide the reader with a foundation for the study.