Literature Review Flashcards
(12 cards)
What is literature review?
Literature review is the
compendium of materials which define and elaborate the
research problem both academically and empirically.
Literature review is also at least 30% of a research
What is the purpose of literature review?
The purpose of a literature
review is to gain an understanding
of the existing research and
debates relevant to a particular
topic or area of study, and to
present that knowledge in the form
of a written report. Conducting
a literature review helps you build
your knowledge in your field
- Establishes what is already known about a particular topic and
what methods have been used in researching the topic. - Prevents you from reproducing what is already known.
- Exposes gaps in the literature and helps you position your
research
How does the literature
review inform your
research question?
The literature review
is a series of connected
arguments in support
of the research
question
What are the differences between a critical review and a literature review?
A literature review organizes and summarizes existing knowledge, while
a critical review evaluates and critiques that knowledge.
For a thesis, it’s best to ensure the literature review is also a critical
review.
Why Combine Both?
* A literature review provides the foundation, showing what research
exists.
* A critical review adds depth by analyzing, comparing, and evaluating the
strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in that research.
* Most academic guidelines expect a critical approach within the
literature review, not just a summary of sources.
What are the steps to write a literature review?
Step 1: Search for relevant literature
Step 2 : Evaluate and select sources
Step 3 : Identify themes, debates, and gaps
Step 4 : Outline your structure
Step 5 : Write your Literature review
What are primary sources?
What are secondary sources?
How can you construct a literature review?
- Once title and background of the study is completed, read, read, read,
read and read from textbooks, journals, theses, conference proceedings,
reports and newspapers. While so, do save materials that are for and against
the topic. - Divide the literature into two main parts; theoretical review (what other
authors had written about the topic)and empirical review (what is
happening in the industry about the topic). - Evaluate the materials gathered and rephrase and start building the
literature. - While documenting, use materials that define, describe, compare &
contrast, classify and explain cause and effect, on the topic.
What is a critical argument?
An “argument” is a logically connected series of reasons, statements, or
facts (evidence) used to support or establish an idea or point of view
We can argue deductively (start with a general principle and deduce
consequences and applications) or inductively (start with facts or
situations and infer a general principle).
Another way to understand
deductive and inductive reasoning is this:
- in deductive argument, we advance an idea and support it with evidence;
- in inductive argument, we start with the evidence and interpret it to come
up with an idea
How can you frame a premise or argument?
*Arguments in natural language aren’t usually presented in standard
form, so we need to know how to extract the logical structure from
the language that’s given.
*To do this, we look at each of the claims in the argument and we ask
ourselves, is this the main point that the arguer is trying to convey,
or is this being offered as a reason to accept some other claim?
*The claims that are functioning as reasons to accept the main point
are the premises
What are some common structures?
Chronological: organized by time
Thematic: organized by theme
Methodological: organized by methodology
Theoretical: organized by theoretical approach
What is the format of a literature review?
- Introduction establishing purpose
- Body analyzing the literature (Theorotical &
Empirical Review) - Conclusion summarizing key findings
