Research Methodology Chapter on Literature Review

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Questions and Answers

What is the first step in conducting a literature review?

Reviewing the selected literature

Developing a conceptual framework

Developing a theoretical framework

Searching for the existing literature in your area of study (correct)

Which of the following is essential when reading through the literature critically?

Evaluating the validity of differences in findings (correct)

Excluding irrelevant studies

Ignoring gaps in the research

Establishing personal opinions on the findings

What must be highlighted when developing a theoretical framework?

The agreements and disagreements among authors' findings (correct)

Methodologies used that lack criticism

Only agreements among authors

New themes unrelated to the topic

What is a benefit of applying Boolean logic in literature searches?

It increases the efficiency of finding relevant literature Signup and view all the answers

What should be assessed to determine the relevance of knowledge to your theoretical framework?

Themes related to your topic Signup and view all the answers

Which step follows the reviewing of selected literature in a literature review?

Developing a conceptual framework Signup and view all the answers

What is a key factor in assessing gaps found in various studies?

Considering how results can be generalized Signup and view all the answers

Why is it necessary to have parameters set according to themes related to your topic in a theoretical framework?

To enhance the clarity and focus of the analysis Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a theoretical framework in research?

To relate various themes to overall inquiry Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are characteristics of effective subheadings in a literature review?

Descriptive and follow a logical progression Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a primary source from a secondary source in literature?

Primary sources are original documents, whereas secondary sources analyze those documents. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a secondary source in academic research?

A meta-analysis article summarizing various studies Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to highlight gaps and issues in a literature review?

To identify opportunities for new research Signup and view all the answers

What role do general references play in research?

They assist researchers in locating additional sources. Signup and view all the answers

What is typically the first step in writing a literature review?

Identifying themes from the theoretical framework Signup and view all the answers

What should be included when recording main findings under each subheading in a literature review?

Key arguments, similarities, differences, and gaps in research Signup and view all the answers

What is one primary function of a literature review in research?

To bring clarity and focus to your research problem Signup and view all the answers

Which step is NOT part of conducting a literature review?

Drafting a research proposal Signup and view all the answers

How does a literature review improve research methodology?

By providing a basis for comparing methodologies Signup and view all the answers

Why is it essential to contextualize findings in a literature review?

To relate findings to existing research Signup and view all the answers

Which type of source is typically considered more reliable for current information in a literature review?

Journals Signup and view all the answers

What is an important step after reviewing selected literature?

Developing a theoretical framework Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the purpose of reviewing literature?

To compare proposed and existing studies Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential downside to using books as a source in a literature review?

They may be outdated compared to more current sources Signup and view all the answers

What type of source presents summaries or condensed versions of materials?

Tertiary sources Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered a tertiary source?

Encyclopedia article Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a biography?

To provide an account of an individual's life Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors is NOT typically evaluated when assessing references?

Author's age Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of a source does 'objectivity' refer to in evaluating references?

The neutrality of the author's perspective Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the relationship between primary, secondary, and tertiary sources?

Primary sources provide firsthand accounts, secondary sources interpret them, and tertiary sources summarize information. Signup and view all the answers

When evaluating the validity of a source, which question is most relevant?

Is it peer-reviewed? Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a secondary source?

An article analyzing a poem Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Functions of the Literature Review in Research

Links the study to existing theories, enhancing academic relevance.
Facilitates comparison with previous studies to establish uniqueness.
Integrates the study into a broader body of knowledge and profession.

Clarifies and focuses the research problem, making it more precise.
Enhances research methodology, ensuring robust design.
Expands knowledge base in the research area, promoting comprehensive understanding.
Contextualizes findings within existing literature, facilitating analysis.

Conducting a Literature Search

Four steps involved: searching existing literature, reviewing it, developing theoretical frameworks, and conceptual frameworks.
Types of sources include:
- Books: Quality resources, may be outdated.
- Journals: Current research, concise, vetted through peer-review.
- Internet: Quick access to information using search engines with keywords and Boolean logic.

Reviewing Selected Literature

Read critically to identify themes and issues essential to the study.
Assess the relevance of knowledge to the theoretical framework.
Evaluate methodologies and Findings, noting criticisms and links with other findings.
Identify gaps within studies that can inform future research.

Developing Theoretical and Conceptual Frameworks

Theoretical Framework:
- Establish themes based on the reviewed literature.
- Highlight agreements/disagreements among authors’ findings.
- Reveal gaps or unanswered questions.
Conceptual Framework:
- Derived from the theoretical framework, providing a foundation for the research problem.
- Ties into specific research queries, guiding the study’s direction.

Writing a Literature Review

Organize main themes from the theoretical framework using precise subheadings.
Ensure subheadings follow logical progression and clearly describe the themes.
Summarize main findings under each heading, highlighting similarities, differences, and gaps in existing literature.

Sources of Findings

Primary sources: Original documents with firsthand information (e.g., diaries, interviews, original research articles).
Secondary sources: Commentary or summaries of primary sources (e.g., articles that interpret studies).
Tertiary sources: Summaries or condensations of primary/secondary materials, ideal for quick fact-checking (e.g., encyclopedias, handbooks).

Evaluating References

Assess sources based on authority, validity, accuracy, objectivity, currency, coverage, and location to ensure research reliability.

Finding Literary Materials

Use academic libraries and databases to access literature relevant to the research topic.

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Description

Explore the essential functions of the literature review in research through Kumar's guide. This chapter covers how to conduct a literature search, review selected sources, and develop theoretical frameworks. Learn how to effectively write a literature review to enhance your research skills.