IT 304 - Writing Literature Reviews

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of a literature review?

To summarize personal opinions on the topic

To showcase the researchers' writing skills

To list all sources without critical evaluation

To identify gaps in existing research and propose new areas of study (correct)

Which of the following is NOT a type of source material typically included in a literature review?

Unpublished research studies

Published research studies

Personal interviews (correct)

Online sources

When citing sources in-text, which of the following is a requirement?

Summarize ideas without indicating the original author

Use parenthetical documentation when referencing others' work (correct)

Quote directly without attribution

Paraphrase without citation

What might a good literature review lead to?

Identifying further researchable problems Signup and view all the answers

What is a distinction between foreign and local studies in research?

Foreign studies may include diverse methodologies compared to local ones Signup and view all the answers

What is a common pitfall when conducting literature reviews?

Including sources without critical evaluation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes what synthesizing literature involves?

Weaving together multiple perspectives to form a cohesive narrative Signup and view all the answers

What should the literature review be guided by?

The research objective or thesis Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary requirement for the literature review according to the recommended guidelines?

It should include critical discussion and synthesis of material. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a part of the literature review's objectives?

Personal anecdotes related to the topic. Signup and view all the answers

What should be indicated when citing a specific part of a source?

The chapter or page number in the citation. Signup and view all the answers

When using parenthetical citations, how should page numbers be formatted?

They should be abbreviated as 'p.' for page. Signup and view all the answers

What is an appropriate way to use sources in the literature review?

Synthesize various views and provide insight. Signup and view all the answers

According to the guidelines, how should electronic sources be treated in citations?

They should follow the same citation style as printed sources. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common pitfall to avoid in a literature review?

Providing only summaries of each work. Signup and view all the answers

Which citation format indicates a chapter from a book in the literature review?

Shimamura, 1989, chap. 3. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key reason to use a quote in research writing?

To emphasize the exact wording of a source Signup and view all the answers

When is it preferable to paraphrase rather than quote?

When trying to balance direct quotes in writing Signup and view all the answers

What criteria should be met by materials used in a thesis or capstone project?

Materials must be relevant and objective Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes plagiarism from copyright infringement?

Plagiarism involves claiming someone else's work as your own Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding the use of materials in research?

Materials should provide an adequate understanding of the topic Signup and view all the answers

In the context of copyright infringement, which statement is accurate?

The infringer can profit by performing actions limited to the copyright holder Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements about quoting and paraphrasing is true?

Quoting is best for highlighting specific points Signup and view all the answers

Which is NOT a guideline for selecting materials for research?

Materials should be biased to support the argument Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

IT 304 - Quantitative Research: Writing Literature Reviews

Purpose of Literature Reviews: Show readers existing research, provide a good overview of published work related to a specific topic, and present a critical discussion of differing arguments. The review should be a synthesis and analysis of relevant work, always linked to the research purpose.
Review Types: Theoretical background (for Computer Science theses) focusing on foundations or technical background (software development, IT capstone projects). Literature review in a thesis or report, separate assignments exploring a field with specific objectives.
Elements of a Literature Review:
Overview of the subject, issue, or theory, including review objectives
Categorization of works (supporting, opposing, alternative perspectives)
Comparison and contrast of different works, highlighting similarities and differences
Conclusions on the most important, impactful, and convincing arguments
Thorough review is crucial for identifying new areas of research and resolving contradictory information.
When to Quote vs Paraphrase:
Quote: Use exact words when the source's phrasing is crucial to the argument, or to highlight agreement or disagreement with the author.
Paraphrase: This is preferable when no specific wording is essential, when explaining evidence in more detail, or for balancing direct quotes within a paper.
Citing Sources: Follow guidelines like APA or Chicago Manual of Style. Parenthetical citations are used, for quotations, paraphrases, summaries, etc.
In-text Citations: Page numbers are essential for quotations. Abbreviations (e.g., p. for page, chap. for chapter) should be used.
Characteristics of Quality Materials in Literature Reviews:
Recency: Prefer the latest research material possible.
Objectivity: Source materials should be unbiased and objective.
Relevance: Materials must be pertinent to the study.
Adequate Material Amount: Consider choosing enough relevant material (not too few, not too many).

Citing Sources

In-Text: Use parenthetical citations and include page numbers for quotes.
References: Full bibliographic information listed at the end, corresponding to in-text citations. Electronic sources follow similar formats to printed sources.

Plagiarism and Copyright Infringement

Plagiarism: Taking credit for someone else's work—an ethical issue.
Copyright Infringement: Using someone else's work commercially without permission—a legal issue. Distinguish between ethical issues (plagiarism) and legal issues (copyright infringement). In copyright infringement, the culprit doesn't claim the work but benefits commercially; in plagiarism, they claim the work as their own. Copyright infringement is about commercial use/benefit, plagiarism is claiming a work as one's own.

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Description

Explore the essential elements and purpose of literature reviews in quantitative research within IT. Learn about different types of reviews, including theoretical backgrounds and their application in theses and reports. This quiz will help you critically analyze existing research and articulate meaningful comparisons.