Module 8 - Literature Reviews Quiz

Study Notes

General Purpose of a Literature Review

A literature review provides a comprehensive evaluation and summarization of scholarly research on a specific topic.
It allows researchers to share ideas and analyze existing research to understand the current state of knowledge.

Process for Preparing a Literature Review

Identify the research topic.
Define the research problem.
Establish the research purpose.
Formulate the research question.
Develop a hypothesis (for quantitative research).

Relevance of a Literature Review in Quantitative Research

Conducted before designing the study to gather existing information on topics of interest, such as self-concept and academic achievement.
Helps to ground the study in pre-existing literature, facilitating informed research design.

Relevance of a Literature Review in Qualitative Research

Used to clarify theoretical foundations guiding the research study.
Aids in formulating the research question and selecting the study population.
Can stimulate new insights and concepts during the research process.

Relevance of a Literature Review in Mixed Methods Research

Must address objectives relevant to both qualitative and quantitative aspects of the study.
Facilitates methodological decision-making and formulation of mixed methods research questions.

Relevance of a Literature Review in Action Research

Action researchers focus on unique contexts within educational communities, relying on existing literature to inform their studies.
Reviews are useful for understanding previous methodologies and adapting them to new contexts.

Difference Between an Annotated Bibliography and a Literature Review

Annotated Bibliography:
- Rarely published and lacks standardized guidelines.
- Features a reference list with summaries and annotations, mainly for educational tasks or source management.
Literature Reviews:
- Follows APA guidelines and focuses on specific research questions.
- More likely to be published in academic journals, providing valuable insights for developing research questions and addressing educational issues.

Definition of Meta-Analysis

A technique that integrates results from numerous quantitative studies, focusing on specific, quantifiable questions.
Example: Investigating the correlation between scores on the Miller's Analogy Test (MAT) and the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) verbal score.

Specific Purposes of a Literature Review

Determines if the research problem has been studied previously.
Assists in forming and refining research questions.
Provides ideas for study design to effectively answer research questions.
Identifies potential methodological challenges specific to the research focus.
Helps in selecting appropriate data collection instruments, reducing the need for creating new tools.

Description

Test your knowledge on the purpose and components of literature reviews in research. This quiz will cover key concepts that will help you understand how to evaluate and summarize scholarly literature effectively. Get ready to enhance your grasp of academic research methodologies!