Literature ReviewLiterature Review

From description to analysisFrom description to analysis

What is the purpose of a literature What is the purpose of a literature review in a research proposal?review in a research proposal?

1.1. To introduce the topic area(s)To introduce the topic area(s)

1.1. Define the terms (words) that Define the terms (words) that are being used are being used

2.2. To summarise existing To summarise existing knowledge of the topic area(s)knowledge of the topic area(s)

3.3. To draw from the experiences To draw from the experiences and results of other researchers and results of other researchers some possible some possible answers/solutions/causes that answers/solutions/causes that could be investigatedcould be investigated

4.4. To be able to conclude with a To be able to conclude with a model/hypothesis which will be model/hypothesis which will be tested in your organisationtested in your organisation

• DescriptiveDescriptive

• DescriptiveDescriptive

• SynthesisingSynthesising

• AnalysingAnalysing

• This is where you identify very This is where you identify very specifically what specifically what aspects/questions you will be aspects/questions you will be researchingresearching

What is synthesis?What is synthesis?

• Identifying several Identifying several authors/sources who authors/sources who have researched the topic have researched the topic area(s)area(s)

• Compare what they are Compare what they are sayingsaying

• Contrast what they are Contrast what they are sayingsaying

• Now apply your Now apply your knowledge to your knowledge to your organisation’s situationorganisation’s situation

• Use textbooks e-Use textbooks e-resourcesresources

• What are the similarities?What are the similarities?

• What are the differences?What are the differences?

• This is where the analysis This is where the analysis happenshappens

What is a model or hypothesis?What is a model or hypothesis?

• A model is a A model is a picture of what the picture of what the researcher is researcher is proposing to proposing to research. Models research. Models tend to be used in tend to be used in social science and social science and humanities humanities researchresearch

What is a model or hypothesis?What is a model or hypothesis?

• A hypothesis is a A hypothesis is a series of questions series of questions the researcher is the researcher is trying to answer. trying to answer. Hypotheses are often Hypotheses are often linked to scientific linked to scientific (quantitative) (quantitative) researchresearch

• A null hypothesis is A null hypothesis is suggested: which is suggested: which is often a negative often a negative statement; with the statement; with the intention of proving intention of proving the negative the negative statement wrong; so statement wrong; so that the alternative that the alternative hypothesis must be hypothesis must be right!right!

Preparing a Search ProfilePreparing a Search Profile

Review questions, search terms Review questions, search terms Determine importance of Determine importance of criteria for criteria for inclusion / exclusion in the review inclusion / exclusion in the review (consider your research aims & objectives)(consider your research aims & objectives)Systematic literature review methodSystematic literature review method– Theoretical rigourTheoretical rigour– Methodological rigourMethodological rigour– Coherence of research designs and executionCoherence of research designs and execution– Quality of argumentQuality of argument

SearchingSearching

Plan – Search ProfilePlan – Search ProfileRecord your searches (search diary)Record your searches (search diary)Identify sources – places, journals, peopleIdentify sources – places, journals, peopleLogical approachLogical approach– Own library and other library cataloguesOwn library and other library catalogues– Book bibliographiesBook bibliographies– Journal abstracts, indexes and contents listsJournal abstracts, indexes and contents lists– Institutions and peopleInstitutions and people– Google ScholarGoogle Scholar

Saving/ cataloguing literatureSaving/ cataloguing literatureExample: Using the Library to search for Articles Example: Using the Library to search for Articles

How to read/ review papers 1How to read/ review papers 1NB: Reading for a review is very different from reading for pleasure!!NB: Reading for a review is very different from reading for pleasure!!

Check if it is useful for your research

Note its structure, topic, style, general reasoning, data and references

Read the sections important for your needs

Try to identify the ideas, aims and logic for the work

Skim through the paper

STOP

Read the introduction &conclusions

Read the abstract

Purpose:Decision: Action:

1

4

2

3STOP

STOP

Identify the rationale for the study (theory & method), extract main concepts and check how they were defined & used

Not useful

Seems useful

Seems useful

Seems useful

Not useful

Not useful

Tip! Take notes in a systematic way

How to read/ review papers 2How to read/ review papers 2

Examples of Categorising streams of thought: Examples of Categorising streams of thought:

What are the main questions and problems that have been addressed to date?

How is knowledge on the topic structured and organised?

Does it reference any other relevant literature/ research?

What are the origins and definitions of the topic?

What are the major issues and debates about the topic?

What are the key sources?

What are the methods used?

What are the key theories, concepts and ideas?

Literature search and

review your topic

Content of the Critical ReviewContent of the Critical Review

The litThe literature review represents the body of research on erature review represents the body of research on which the author should seek to ground the proposed which the author should seek to ground the proposed framework and to reflect the aim of his/her researchframework and to reflect the aim of his/her research

Your critical review will need to:Your critical review will need to:– Include the key academic theories within your chosen areaInclude the key academic theories within your chosen area– Demonstrate that your knowledge is Demonstrate that your knowledge is up to dateup to date– Show how your own research relates to previously published Show how your own research relates to previously published

researchresearch– Assess the strengths and weaknesses of previous researchAssess the strengths and weaknesses of previous research

Critically reviewingCritically reviewing

‘‘critical review’ – is a difficult notioncritical review’ – is a difficult notion

Includes evidence of:Includes evidence of:– Evaluation of sourcesEvaluation of sources– Evaluation of arguments by authorsEvaluation of arguments by authors– Evaluation of methods used by authorsEvaluation of methods used by authors– Evaluation of utility (i.e. Strengths and weaknesses)Evaluation of utility (i.e. Strengths and weaknesses)– Example: Literature Analysis TableExample: Literature Analysis Table (ideas for a (ideas for a

‘thematic analysis’)‘thematic analysis’)

NB: Reasoned evaluation (not simply opinion)NB: Reasoned evaluation (not simply opinion)

WritingWriting

Look at examples in methods books & articles in Look at examples in methods books & articles in refereed journalsrefereed journals

Report literature review methods (even if only Report literature review methods (even if only briefly)briefly)

Draw conclusions relevant to your projectDraw conclusions relevant to your project

Writing your reviewWriting your reviewWhat is the aim of your review? What is the aim of your review? – To define topics? / map out theories?To define topics? / map out theories?– To establish a context?To establish a context?

Give a coherent structure or order: egGive a coherent structure or order: eg– Discuss in chronological orderDiscuss in chronological order– Group into topics or themes Group into topics or themes

Compare, contrast, critically analyseCompare, contrast, critically analyse– What are the different view pointsWhat are the different view points– What are the positives? What are the drawbacks?What are the positives? What are the drawbacks?– What do you think? What does this mean in relation to your research/ topic?What do you think? What does this mean in relation to your research/ topic?

Summarise your reviewSummarise your review– Don't forget to give a summary of the main points Don't forget to give a summary of the main points at the endat the end – Make sure you explain the importance of all the literature for your researchMake sure you explain the importance of all the literature for your research