Literature Review: Purpose and Structure

Literature Review: Purpose and Structure

• Literature review is a summary of existing research on a topic, taken from various sources like books, articles, journals and reports.
• Aims to show how the current research connects to previous studies.
• The review:
  • Outlines the existing knowledge and evaluates the evidence.
  • Shows the relationship between different studies.
  • Identifies gaps in existing research.
  • Addresses contradictions in previous studies.
  • Prevents redundant efforts.
  • Suggests areas for further research.

Literature Review Sources

• Common sources for a literature review include:

  • Libraries
  • Online databases (journals, studies)

• Selection of sources depends on the research topic and the need to support evidence.

Literature Review Components

• Literature reviews have distinct parts:
  • Introduction: Explains the topic and its significance.
  • Body: Summarizes and evaluates existing research, presenting different viewpoints.
  • Conclusion: Presents a summary of findings, their implications, and current state of the field.
  • References: Lists all cited sources.

Steps in Conducting a Literature Review

• Choose a research topic and define a research question. The question should guide the review, not just list all research within an area. Review and synthesis is key.
• Determine the scope of the review. (How many studies? How recent? How comprehensive?) Based on your research question.
• Select databases for searching. Comprehensive databases are often best. Create a list.
• Conduct searches, tracking progress and preventing repetition. Review abstract carefully. Use bibliographies. Ask for help if needed.
• Critically review the literature.
  • Does the reviewed research align with your research question?
  • Could funding have influenced the findings?
  • Analyze methodologies, sample sizes, variables used, and conclusions. Did the study have gaps?
  • Identify contradicting ideas.
  • Assess the reputation and citations of the authors.

Ethical Considerations in Literature Review

• Modern technology allows easy access to information. This encourages the "copy-and-paste" method.
• Academic integrity demands proper citation, using quotation marks for copied text. Avoiding plagiarism is essential.
• Using citation management software avoids plagiarism. Proper citation for sources builds trust and reputation.

Example Literature Review Activities

• Recognizing Literature: Examples of literature include monographs, journal articles, empirical studies, theses/dissertations, statistical handbooks, conference proceedings and government reports.

• Describing Literature Review:

• A literature review is:* an evaluation of existing research.

• A literature review is not:* original research, a personal opinion.

• Analyzing Literature Review Statements: Is the statement about literature reviews true or false and explain why?

Explore the essential components and purposes of a literature review in research. This quiz covers the structure, sources, and evaluation of existing research related to a specific topic. Test your understanding of how literature reviews connect current studies with previous ones and identify research gaps.