Writing a Literature Writing a Literature ReviewReview

By Albakri Mohammad

Reference:http://www.lc.unsw.edu.au/onlib/pdf/Litrev.pdf http://www.deakin.edu.au/library/findout/research/litrev.php

What is an LR?What is an LR?An examination (not an information dump)

of the research that has been conducted in a particular field of study

Hart (1998) defines it as:The selection of available documents (both published and unpublished) on the topic, which contain information, ideas, data and evidenceThis selection is written from a particular standpoint to fulfill certain aims or express certain views on the nature of the topic and how it is to be investigated

Why write a good LR?Why write a good LR?From your perspective:it will probably account for up to 20% of

your mark (even more counting the discussion)

to identify gaps in the literatureto avoid reinventing the wheel (at the very

least this will save time and it can stop you from making the same mistakes as others)

to provide you with some ideas you might not of thought of yourself

Why write a good LR?Why write a good LR?

From your advisor’s perspective:to demonstrate you can access and

evaluate others workto spark off ideas for future projects

(cause they probably know less than you think)

Why write a good LR?Why write a good LR?

From your industry supervisor’s perspective:

to provide a resource they can refer to when wanting more information on the topic

When to write your LR?When to write your LR?NOW!!!!!

Because it takes a lot of time, which you probably have more of now than you will in 3 months time

AFTER YOU HAVE YOUR FIRST MAJOR SET OF RESULTS OR FINDINGS……Because your results may change the direction of your project slightly or suddenly make other literature relevant

When to write your LR?When to write your LR?AT THE END!!!!!

Because a good literature review sets up the rest of the report, which you have only just finished writing

Your LR is a living document…….

How to structure your LRHow to structure your LRUse the inverted pyramid

concept

level of detail

Broad introduction to topic

Your research question

At the end of your literature review the reader must have only one thought in their heads…….

That this research question must be answered!

What do I need to do?What do I need to do?Identify the research questionIdentify and locate appropriate

informationRead and critically evaluate the

information that you locateFile and store your readings and notesPlan, organise and write critically about

the literature that you have located

How to write an LR?How to write an LR?Chronological organisation

The discussion of the research /articles is ordered according to an historical or developmental context

How to write an LR?How to write an LR?The ‘Classic’ studies organisation

A discussion or outline of the major writings regarded as significant in your area of study (benchmark study)

How to write an LR?How to write an LR?Topical or thematic organisation

The research is divided into sections representing the categories or conceptual subjects for your topic. The discussion is organised into these categories or subjects

How to evaluate the How to evaluate the literature?literature?Critically examine the literature

Critically examine the texts that relate to your research question, rather than to just list what you have located

Must link the literature to your research question, how it supports or extends the topic or the existing knowledge in the area

How to evaluate the How to evaluate the literature?literature?Make your ‘voice’ clear

your perspective, position or standpoint, should be clearly identifiable in the literature review

The literature review then reads like a mixture of different tones and arguments

Important that your language indicates your own or other writers’ attitudes to the question or issue

What are the questions an What are the questions an LR must answer?LR must answer?

Who can you trust?Who can you trust? journal papers, conference papers, books, media

releases, websitesWhat you may need to consider when assessing the

information:1. Who wrote it and why did they write it (what info did

they leave out, how did they ‘spin’ the results, etc.)?2. Where was it published and how was it

reviewed/edited (i.e. journal paper or Kosmo)?3. When was it published (and what info has come out

since)?4. Are the conclusions valid based on the results?5. How rigorous were the tests performed/data analysed

Thank youThank you

Q&A