University of Mysore

Department Of Studies In Master Of Library And Information Science.

Seminar On :Review of Literature

Presented To: Umesh Sir. Guest Faculty Dep. Of M.L.I.Sc.Manasagangotri, Mysore .

Presented by:Shanthakumara, T.N.

Dep. Of M.L.I.Sc. Manasagangotri,

Mysore.

Introduction

A literature review is an evaluative report of studies found in the literature related to our selected area. The review should describe, summarize, evaluate and clarify that literature.

It should give a theoretical basis for the research and help us to determine the nature of our research.

continued… The review should describe, summarize,

evaluate and clarify this literature. It should give a theoretical base for the research and help us to determine the nature of our research. At here Works which are irrelevant should be discarded and those which are peripheral should be looked at critically.

Definition The review of the literature is defined as a

broad, comprehensive, in-depth, systematic, and critical review of scholarly publications. The review of the literature is traditionally considered a systematic and critical review of the most important published scholarly literature on a particular topic.

According to Richard Nordquist, The process of reading, analyzing, evaluating,

and summarizing scholarly materials about a specific topic.

Introduction Continued… A literature review is a written summary of the

findings from the literature search. Its purpose is to provide proof of scholarship - to show that we know the literature and we have the intellectual capacity to read it, develop the theoretical argument and be able to give a critical, constructive analysis of that literature

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

Where to find a literature review?• in scholarly peer reviewed journals;• in doctoral dissertations, graduate theses, or

within primary research articles.

Purpose

The purpose of a literature review is to...

• To provide background information• familiarize the reader with relevant literature and

research in an area of study• demonstrate relationships among the prior

research• inform the reader what has already been

discovered to avoid duplication• identify gaps and discrepancies in the literature

Continued… Provide a context for the research Justify the research Ensure the research hasn't been done before Show where the research fits into the existing

body of knowledge Enable the researcher to learn from previous

theory on the subject

Continued…

Illustrate how the subject has been studied previously

Outline gaps in previous research Show that the work is adding to the

understanding and knowledge of the field Help to refine, refocus or even change the

topic.

Steps for Writing a Lit Review

• Planning• Reading• Analyzing• Revising

Planning. What type of Literature Review I'm Writing?

• Focus– What is the specific thesis, problem, or research

question that our literature review helps to define?– Identifying a focus that allows us to:• Sort and categorize information• Eliminate irrelevant information

• Type– What type of literature review we conducting?– Theory; Methodology; Policy; Quantitative;

Qualitative

• Scope–What is the scope of our literature review?–What types of sources we are using?

• Academic Discipline–What field(s) we are working in?

Reading What Materials Am I Going to Use?

• Summarize sources.– Who is the author? – What is the author's main purpose? – What is the author’s theoretical perspective?

Research methodology?– How is the author’s position supported? – What does this study add to your project?

• Select only relevant books and articles.

Analyzing

• A literature review is never just a list of studies, it always offers an argument about a body of research

• Analysis occurs on two levels:– Individual sources– Body of research

Revising Some Tips on Revising

• Title: Is our title consistent with the content of our paper?

• Introduction: Do we appropriately introduce our review?

• Thesis: Does our review have a clear claim?• Body: Is the organization clear? Have we

provided headings?• Conclusion: Do we provide sufficient closure?• Spelling and Grammar: Are there any major

spelling or grammatical mistakes?

How does the literature review differ from other research papers?

• Its focus is on the literature, itself• It involves the critical analysis of previously

conducted research• It provides insight about the relationships

between cited research as well as its significance

Conclusion

Thus, the literature review is the most common work conducted by any researcher during his/her theses submitting. This is now become the important work in any research area, it must done by any researcher’s.

1)Lunenburg, F. C., & Irby, B. J. (2008). Writing a Successful Thesis or Dissertation: Tips and Strategies for Students in the Social and Behavioral Sciences.2) Silyn-Roberts, H. (2002). Writing for Science and Engineering: Papers, Presentations and Reports. Oxford: Buttersworth_Heinemann.3)www.slideshare.com