Research Methodology: Session 2
LITERATURE REVIEW
Literature Review
A literature review is a critical analysis of existing
research related to a specific topic.
This leads to clarity on, state of knowledge, as well
as, gap/s in the knowledge.
Literature Review
Review of existing literature is a one of the essential preliminary
task when undertaking research work
Review of literature can be time consuming as well as frustrating
at times
However, review of literature is rewarding for following reasons:
it is the platform on which argument (in turn the research
problem) is built, research is justified and it is demonstrated
how research improves the chosen discipline
Justification of Research
Literature review leads to justification of research
Helps showing that there are gaps in knowledge in field that merit a
closer investigation
Demonstrate that proposed research work will fill this gap by adding
knowledge in and understanding of field
Demonstrate that proposed work hasn't been previously done
Ensures intellectual contribution is indeed original
Demonstrates that theories or methodologies in the field have been
critiqued
Helps justify the arguments related to the proposed research problem
Purpose of Literature Review
Good vs Bad Literature Review
A ‘good’ literature review….. A ‘poor’ literature review is…..
….. is a synthesis of available research …..an annotated bibliography
….. is a critical evaluation ….. confined to description
….. has appropriate breadth and depth ….. narrow and shallow
….. has clarity and conciseness ….. confusing and longwinded
….. uses rigorous and consistent ….. constructed in an arbitrary way
methods
Critique
Critique is a systematic way of reviewing, critically, the literature
(published research paper) to highlight both strengths and
weaknesses.
To be critical means to question the information and opinions
presented in the research paper
To evaluate or judge overall worth of the research and its
findings presented in the paper.
To critique does not mean to criticize in an exclusively negative
manner.
Importance of Critique WRT Literature Review
Writing a critical literature review is not about finding fault with
the work of other scholars.
Critical literature review OR Critique involves accurate reporting
of the central findings and arguments of other scholars in the
chosen discipline.
Leads to assessment about the extent to which existing research
addresses the research problem.
A not so critical literature review leads to failure in reporting of
the key findings in the chosen discipline.
Process of Literature Review
The process involves
1. Searching for literature
2. Reviewing the literature
1. Searching for Literature
To set parameters for the search need to have some idea of:
broad subject area
Problem to be investigated
Source for literature include:
Journals and Periodicals: information is updated
Books and Reports: while in detail, information might not be
updated
Internet: while easy and fast, authenticity of information needs
to be verified
2. Reviewing the Literature
Read the literature thoroughly and critically to determine whether:
theories put forward, their basis, the methodologies adopted
have been confirmed beyond doubt
findings can be generalized to other situations
there are significant differences of opinion among researchers
and critique about the validity of these differences
any gaps that exist in the body of knowledge i.e determine the
areas in which very little or nothing is known
2. Reviewing the Literature
Review of literature provides answer to:
stated aim, objectives / purpose of research
central findings of research
implication drawn from the findings
contribution of research domain knowledge
which aspect of proposed research (or problem) are spoken about
comparison of research findings with other perspectives/findings
broad areas of agreement and disagreement
further research required to contribute to filling the gaps in research
knowledge
Steps in Literature Review
STEP 1: Summarize the argument, the method/s, the
methodology/s, the finding, and their implications.
for e.g.
The study concludes/shows that …
The key finding of the research is …
The authors propose/argue that …
(the key finding that) … has implications for …
The implications of the main finding is …
This suggests/implies that ...
Steps in Literature Review
STEP 2: Summarize the summaries. Write few sentences that tell
the reader what researchers in the field have found or argued on
the broad focus area of research.
for e.g.
Numerous studies (see for example, reference, reference,
reference) have shown that … (key finding).
It is now well accepted that …. (key finding) (reference,
reference, reference).
The conclusion that …. (key findings) … has led to an approach
in which … (implications).
Steps in Literature Review
STEP 2:
for e.g.
The increasing interest in … has heightened the need for …
Of particular interest is …
Recently, there has been growing interest in the field of … in …
The development of … has led … to the hope that …
Steps in Literature Review
STEP 2:
for e.g.
… has become a favourite topic of analysis in the field/s of …
The study of … has become an important aspect of …
A central issue in (field of scholarship) is …
The question of … has been extensively studied in recent years.
Many recent studies have focused on …
Steps in Literature Review
STEP 3: Mention that gap exists and proposed focus has received
less attention, has not been investigated from a particular
perspective, or remains contested or uncertain in some way.
for e.g.
While the focus of (existing research work/s) … has been widely
examined, less attention has been given to … (proposed research
area)
It is now clear that (overall findings or arguments of the field in
relation to the problem area or focus) … but questions about …
(proposed research area) remain.
Steps in Literature Review
STEP 4: Summarize the main point of theme papers or books on
the precise area of proposed research.
for e.g.
Of those studies which have looked directly at ... the focus has
been on ...
The study by .... showed that ...
The methodology adopted in these studies led to more
consideration given to ... than to ...
Steps in Literature Review
STEP 5: Write the aim of the proposed research.
for e.g.
This research will …
The aim of this study is to …
Assessment of Literature Review
Have you clearly signaled the discipline your research or practice is situated within?
Is your literature review comprised mainly of a review of scholarly texts published
in academic journals and books in your discipline?
Have you mainly reported the main finding or central argument of books
and journal articles (or central themes for reporting artifacts)?
Have you cited, appropriately, where you have borrowed an idea, finding or
argument?
Have you used the appropriate research language?
Have you explained how your research or practice will contribute to literature in
your discipline area?
Paradox
You cannot undertake an effective literature review unless
you have formulated a research problem, yet your
literature search plays an extremely important role in
helping you to formulate your research problem
