Literature Review Basics

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Questions and Answers

Which statement best describes primary sources in the context of literature review?

They are original articles and reports from researchers. (correct)

They provide insight into the opinions of various authors.

They summarize the findings of other research.

They are always accessible online.

What is a critical consideration when filtering literature for a review?

Whether the research was published in the last five years.

The number of citations the article has received.

The reputation of the journal where it is published.

If the article is peer-reviewed and relevant to the research problem. (correct)

In the literature review process, which type of source will typically provide a summary of findings rather than original research?

Peer-reviewed articles

Secondary sources (correct)

Primary sources

Conference proceedings

What is the general rule of thumb for selecting articles in a literature review?

Prefer articles that are peer-reviewed and of high quality. Signup and view all the answers

What should researchers do if their search returns numerous materials?

Narrow down the selection based on quality and relevance. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following databases could be used to perform literature searches?

Scopus Signup and view all the answers

What are the consequences of failing to think systematically about a research topic?

Frustration and risk of time loss Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a criterion for choosing a research topic?

Cultural significance Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to discuss potential research topics with supervisors?

To gain insights and formulate proposals effectively Signup and view all the answers

What should be considered regarding the breadth of research questions?

They should be clear and unambiguous Signup and view all the answers

What aspect is crucial for checking the adequacy of a research topic?

The significance to the discipline Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a potential area to explore when choosing a research topic?

Technological changes Signup and view all the answers

What is a risk associated with not choosing research topics systematically?

Missing deadlines effectively Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated as a critical stage in conducting research?

Choosing a topic Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of conducting a literature review?

To help develop an understanding of relevant previous research. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a step in conducting a literature review?

Generate a hypothesis after gathering data Signup and view all the answers

What does a literature review help to identify?

Knowledge gaps in existing research. Signup and view all the answers

Which part of a literature review contains the discussion of sources?

The body of the review Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical aspect of a literature review's purpose in relation to previous work?

It helps avoid repeating existing work. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first component of a literature review?

Introduction or background information section Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an essential element that should be included in a literature review?

Critique/Comparison of the results with each other Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential risk identified concerning the selection of a research topic?

The topic could lead to micro-political issues with authorities. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in conducting a literature review?

Identify topics and key search terms Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes the purpose of a search string in a literature review?

It combines key search terms to refine search results. Signup and view all the answers

When performing a literature review, which type of database is likely to be NOT included in the search?

Private databases that require a subscription for access Signup and view all the answers

In the context of literature review, what is the function of critically evaluating the selected literature?

To determine the relevance and quality of sources Signup and view all the answers

What is a key term that can be used when searching for literature on AI frameworks?

AI Model Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a step in the literature review process outlined?

Review all academic publications Signup and view all the answers

What determines whether a database is considered licensed or free?

Availability to the public without charge Signup and view all the answers

Which search string accurately reflects keywords for a research topic on software teams?

Diverse OR different AND software teams OR software group AND impact Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of writing a literature review?

To reveal the current state of the phenomenon under study Signup and view all the answers

Which components must be included in the abstract of a literature review?

Research problem, questions, methodology, and results Signup and view all the answers

How should studies that investigate similar topics be managed in a literature review?

Grouped together using a literature map Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of conducting a search for relevant research articles in a literature review?

To find at least five relevant research articles Signup and view all the answers

What should be the outcome of synthesizing information for the literature review?

An identification of inconsistencies in past research Signup and view all the answers

In which step of the literature review process is a literature map used?

To organize the identified literature Signup and view all the answers

What type of information should NOT be included in the literature review?

Detailed personal opinions of the researcher Signup and view all the answers

What is the expected outcome of properly organizing and abstracting the selected literature?

To create a clear framework for the literature review Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Objectives of Literature Review

Students will learn to search and identify relevant literature.
Ability to critique literature related to specific research topics.

Importance of Choosing a Topic

Critical for successful research completion and timely dissertation submission.
Ensures better alignment with marking criteria.
Discuss potential topics with supervisors for guidance.

Criteria for Selecting a Research Topic

Interest: Personal engagement with the topic.
Relevance: Addressing daily problems or recent trends.
Durability: Topic remains significant over time.
Breadth: Should not be too narrow or broad.
Adequacy: Must meet significance and originality criteria.
Access: Availability of resources and experts.
Micro-politics: Understanding potential political implications of the topic.

Overview of Literature Review

A synthesis of existing resources related to a chosen topic.
Components include a topic, identification of materials, description, and critique.

Purposes of Literature Review

Develop understanding of previous research.
Identify and refine theories, research questions, and objectives.
Highlight knowledge gaps and avoid redundancy.
Pinpoint useful methodologies.

Structure of a Literature Review

Introduction/Background: Sets the stage for the research.
Body: Discusses various literature sources.
Conclusion/Recommendations: Summarizes findings and suggests future directions.

Steps in Conducting a Literature Review

Identify research topic.
Determine key search terms.
Formulate a search string.
Select suitable databases for research.
Execute searches to find relevant material.
Critically evaluate selected literature.
Organize and abstract essential findings.
Write the literature review.

Key Search Terms and Search Strings

Example topic: "The impact of diverse software teams."
Associated keywords include diverse, software teams, and impact.
Construct search strings using Boolean operators (e.g., “Diverse OR different AND software teams”).

Examples of Topics and Key Terms

Topic: Comparative Analysis of AI Model and Framework.
Key Terms: AI, AI Model, AI Framework, Comparison.
Crafted search strings using related terms for efficient database searches.

Database Selection

Utilize both free and licensed databases for searching.
Examples of databases: Google Scholar, IEEE Xplore, Scopus, Sage Journals.

Literature Sources

Primary sources consist of original articles and research reporting.
Secondary sources include summaries, reviews prepared by others.

Evaluating Literature

Filter search results for quality, relevance, and accessibility.
Prioritize peer-reviewed articles for reliable information.

Organizing Literature

Summarize critical findings under specified categories: research problem, questions, methodology, results.
Use a literature map to visually organize related studies.

Writing the Literature Review

Synthesize gathered information to reflect the current state of the topic.
Aim for clarity on inconsistencies and foundational context within the research area.

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Description

This quiz covers the essentials of conducting a literature review, including how to search for and identify relevant literature. Students will also learn how to critique literature related to their chosen research topics. Master these skills to enhance your research efficiency and effectiveness.