4the literature review

8/22/2019 4The Literature Review

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Literature Review

Prepared by: xxx First Prepared on: xx-xx-xx Last Modified on: xx-xx-xxQuality checked by: xxx

Copyright 2004 Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology

Research Methods for

Degree Study


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Module Code and Module Title Title of SlidesResearch Methods for Degree Study

Topic & Structure of the lesson

What is a literature review?

The purpose of a literature review

Components of the Literature Review Elements of the Literature Review


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Learning Outcomes

Understand the importance of writing a

concise and complete literature review.

Comprehension and application ofeffective compilation of usable literature

reviews.

Application of literature reviews in usablesecondary research in tertiary education


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Main Teaching Points

What is a literature review?

The purpose of a literature review

Components of the Literature Review

Elements of the Literature Review


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What is a Literature Review?

A literature review is a body of text that

aims to review the critical points ofcurrent

know ledge on a part icu lar top ic .


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Literature Review

A literature review may constitute an essentialchapter of a thesis or dissertation, or may be a

self-contained review of writings on a subject. In

either case, its purpose is to:

Place each work in the context of its contribution

to the understanding of the subject under review.

Describe the relationship of each work to the

others under consideration.


7/17Module Code and Module Title Title of SlidesResearch Methods for Degree Study

Literature Review

Identify new ways to interpret, and shed light onany gaps in, previous research.

Most often associated with science-oriented

literature, such as a thesis, the literature review

usually precedes a research proposal,

methodology and results section.



Importance of Literature Review

To learn what one knows and do not know

To understand the subject matter better

To identify and highlight the important variables

To document significant findings from earlier

research that will serve as the foundation of the

new research

To resolve conflicts amongst seemingly

contradictory previous studies



Importance of Literature Review (cont.)

To Identify areas of prior scholarship to prevent

duplication of effort

To develop hypotheses

To point the way forward for further research

To convince the reader that the researcher is

knowledgeable about the problem area



Components of the Lit. Review

Components: development of the literaturereview requires four stages: Problem formulationwhich topic or field is being

examined and what are its component issues?

Literature searchfinding materials relevant to thesubject being explored

Data evaluationdetermining which literature makes

a significant contribution to the understanding of thetopic

Analysis and interpretationdiscussing the findingsand conclusions of pertinent literature



Guidelines for a Good Lit. Review

An overview of the subject, issue or theory underconsideration, along with the objectives of the

literature review

Division of works under review into categories (e.g.

those in support of a particular position, those

against, and those offering alternative theses entirely)

Explanation of how each work is similar to and how it

varies from the others.

Conclusions as to which pieces are best considered

in their argument, are most convincing of their

opinions, and make the greatest contribution to the

understanding and development of their area of

research



Conclusion

Its' ultimate goal of literature review is to bring

the reader up to date with current literature on a

topic and forms the basis for another goal, such

as the justification for future research in thearea.

It is a vital chapter in a thesis/report


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Research Methods for Degree Study

Useful Links for Lit. Review

Macauley, P. (2001). The Literature

Review.

http://www.deakin.edu.au/library/findout/resea

rch/litrev.php
http://www.deakin.edu.au/library/findout/research/litrev.phphttp://www.deakin.edu.au/library/findout/research/litrev.phphttp://www.deakin.edu.au/library/findout/research/litrev.phphttp://www.deakin.edu.au/library/findout/research/litrev.php




Tutorial

Students are required to write-up a

literature review (one page) using three

relevant academic articles of a particular

topic.

Topic and articles can be provided by the

tutor or identified by the students

themselves.




Review Questions

1. Define the term Literature review.

2. Discuss in detail the importance of literature review.

3. What are the disadvantages if a research thesis has no

literature review chapter or a poorly done literaturereview?

4. What are the factors that need to be taken into

consideration in order to produce a good literature

review write-up?5. Discuss the four components of literature review.




Q & A

Question and Answer Session



Next Session

Concepts and Data Collection

4the literature review

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