Conducting a Literature Review

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Learning ObjectivesToday, you will learn...

the definition and purpose of a literature review

its role in science research

the difference between a literature review and other research assignments

sources to use for the literature review

So, you’ve got your assignment

Have you:

decided on an area of study to investigate, following discussions with you instructor?

figured out how to find and use recent articles found in peer reviewed journals from within the respective disciplines?

given into the idea that you’re going to have to use the library for this?

Let’s look at the pieces:Who

Where

When

What

Why

How

You!

In the library, or off-campus using our remote resources

Topic 2/2. Rough Draft 3/31. Final 4/15.

What is a Literature Review?A literature review is...

a summary and evaluation of the significant research published on a topic

organized in a way that shows the relationship between research studies, as well as the way each has contributed to an understanding of the topic

a secondary source because it is an overview of existing research on the topic

What is a Lit Review?

A Literature review is not...

an annotated bibliography of all sources on the topic.

an encyclopedic essay, an exposition of background information, or an argument for your research.

primary or original research

A book review

A Literature Review is ...

... more than an Annotated Bibliography or a summary, because you are organizing and presenting your sources in terms of their overall relationship to your own project.

What is a Lit Review?

A Literature review is not...

an annotated bibliography of all sources on the topic.

primary or original research

an encyclopedic essay, an exposition of background information, or an argument for your research.

A book review

A Literature Review is ...

... different from a Research Paper because the focus is on the literature itself and involves the critical analysis of previously conducted research, not presenting new findings

Examples Aspergillosis Case‐Fatality Rate: Systematic Review of the

Literature. Swu‐Jane Lin, Jennifer Schranz, and Steven M. Teutsch. Clinical Infectious Diseases 2001 32:3, 358-366 

MiniReviews

Nitrogen Cycling in the Ocean: New Perspectives on Processes and Paradigms. Zehr, Jonathan P., Ward, Bess B. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 2002 68: 1015-1024

Amoebae as Training Grounds for Intracellular Bacterial Pathogens. Molmeret, Maelle, Horn, Matthias, Wagner, Michael, Santic, Marina, Abu Kwaik, Yousef. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 2005 71: 20-28

Microbial Genomics and the Periodic Table. Wackett, Lawrence P., Dodge, Anthony G., Ellis, Lynda B. M.. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 2004 70: 647-655

To see what has and has not been investigated.

To develop general explanation for observed variations in a behavior or phenomenon.

To identify potential relationships between concepts and to identify researchable hypotheses.

To learn how others have defined and measured key concepts.

To identify data sources that other researches have used.

To develop alternative research projects.

To discover how a research project is related to the work of others.

To familiarize the reader with relevant literature and research in an area of study

To demonstrate relationships among the prior research

To inform the reader what has already been discovered to avoid duplication

To identify gaps and discrepancies in the literature

The purpose of a literature review is to convey to the reader what knowledge and ideas have been established on a topic and what are the strengths and weaknesses. The literature review allows the reader to be brought up to date regarding the state of research in the field and familiarizes the reader with any contrasting perspectives and viewpoints on the topic. There are good reasons for beginning a literature review before starting a research paper. These reasons include:

Questions to consider as you begin your own lit review:

Who are the principal commentators and theorists in the subject you are researching?

How was the previous research conducted and how does it differ from other studies?

What were the findings and how do they differ from other studies?

How relevant are these conclusions today generally and for your own research?

What were the limitations and weaknesses of these previous studies?

What are the major issues and debates about the research topic?