Literature Review Methods

Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of conducting a literature review in research?

To create original hypotheses for your study

To critique the methods of other researchers

To summarize only the most popular sources

To document how your study adds to the existing literature (correct)

Which of the following is NOT an aspect of conducting a literature review?

Organizing the literature effectively

Developing a personal opinion on the topic (correct)

Locating academic libraries

Critically evaluating selected literature

What is one of the benefits of conducting a literature review related to research skills?

It helps in information retrieval and following literature leads (correct)

It strictly focuses on primary sources only

It eliminates the need for referencing others' work

It allows for uncritical acceptance of all sources

Which component is essential in a purpose statement for a research study?

The research method and specific participants Signup and view all the answers

How does a literature review raise questions for research?

By highlighting gaps that data collection will address Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of conducting a literature review in research?

To identify gaps in existing research Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following steps is NOT typically involved in conducting a literature review?

Collecting qualitative data Signup and view all the answers

Why is justifying the research problem important in the literature review process?

It ensures the problem is relevant and significant Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the outcome of a well-structured literature review?

Clarity on unanswered questions in the field Signup and view all the answers

What is a key benefit of systematically reviewing literature before starting a research project?

It clarifies the intentions behind the research Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Importance of Literature Review

Documents how a study contributes to existing research.
Demonstrates understanding and summarization of the relevant literature.
Builds research skills on retrieving information and following literature leads.
Provides insights into how similar research has been conducted.
Offers useful examples and models for one's research.

Steps to Conduct a Literature Review

Identify key terms for effective searching.
Locate literature using:
- Academic libraries
- Primary and secondary sources.
Critically evaluate literature for:
- Accuracy and quality.
- Relevance to the research topic.
Organize literature through:
- Taking notes or abstracting.
- Developing visual diagrams.
Write the literature review according to:
- Style manuals for citation and referencing.
- Choose between thematic or study-by-study review strategies.

Classification of Literature Sources

Low Standards:
- Early stage material like conference drafts and professional newsletters.
Indexed Publications:
- Conference papers, dissertations, and college publications.
Journal Articles:
- Refereed and non-refereed articles across various publishing scales.
Books:
- Research studies and essays.
High Standards:
- Encyclopedias, research reviews, and abstracts that appear after years of initiation.

Role of Purpose Statement in Research

Provides critical direction for the research study.
Raises pertinent questions for data collection.
Includes:
- Research method/approach.
- Central phenomenon.
- Specific participants and research locations.

Structure of a Purpose Statement

Example format: "The purpose of this [research method] is to [determine, describe, etc.] the [specific phenomenon] among [specific participants] in [specific locations]."
Example specific to obesity study in Ghana to assess related factors.

Types of Research

Quantitative Research: Focuses on numerical data.
Qualitative Research: Emphasizes understanding and interpretation of concepts.

Research Process Highlights

Reporting and evaluating research findings.
Identifying and specifying the research problem.
Selecting and summarizing relevant literature.
Structuring and writing the report sensitively.

Data Handling and Analysis

Preparation includes coding, cleaning, and inputting data.
Analysis involves:
- Descriptive and inferential statistics.
- Thematic approach to identify patterns across data.
Data interpretation indicates key findings and discussions.

Structure of Research Report

Preliminary Pages:
- Title page, supervisor certificate, abstract, table of contents, preface, acknowledgments, and listings for tables and figures.
Main Text:
- Introduction: Background, problem statement, research questions, significance of study.
- Literature review, methodology, results and discussion, summary, conclusion, and recommendations.
End Matter:
- Bibliography/references, appendices, glossary, and any remaining documentation.

Key Elements in Research Proposal

Title of the study.
Background context and rationale.
Clearly defined problem statement and objectives.
Methodological approach and scheduling considerations including budget.

Description

This quiz covers the importance of literature reviews and the steps to conduct them effectively. Participants will learn how to evaluate and organize sources, and how to write a comprehensive review. Test your knowledge on critical research skills and gain insights into effective literature methodologies.