Literature Review

Lecturer:Prof.Dr. Thameem

Ushama

Prepared and Presented by

Belayet HossenMatric: G1429975

Department of Quran and Sunnah Studies, IRKHS,

IIUM

What is Literature Review?

Literature Review is an examination of the research that has been conducted in a particular field of study.

A literature review is an account of what has been published on a topic by accredited scholars and researchers.

(Ferfolja and Burnett of the University of New South Wales, Australia)

What is the Purpose of a Literature Review?

Attain a good knowledge of the field on inquiry-facts, scholars,etc.

Proposed research is really needed Helps to narrow a problem Generation of hypotheses, RQs or questions

for further studies To convey what knowledge and ideas have

been established on a topic And what their strengths and weakness are?

Why is the Literature Review necessary?

To identify gaps in the research area. To avoid the reinventing the wheel. To carry on from where others have

already completed. To identify other people’s working in the

same fields. To fathom the depth of knowledge of our

subject area.

5

A Literature Review must do these things

Be organized around and relate directly to the thesis or research questions we are developing.

Synthesize results into a summary of what is and what is not known.

Identify areas of controversy in the literature.

Formulate questions that need for further research.

Two Important Objectives of LR

Seeking Information: the ability to scan the literature efficiently, using manual or computerized methods, to identify a set of useful articles and books.

Critical Appraisal: the ability of apply principles of analysis to identify unbiased and valid studies.

Ask Yourself Question Like these

What is the specific thesis, problem or research question that my literature review helps to define?

what type of literature review am I conducting? Am I looking at issues of theory? Methodology? Policy? Quantitative research?

What is the scope of my literature review? What type of publications am I using (e.g. Journals, books, government documents, popular media)?

Ask Yourself Questions…….

What discipline am I working in (e.g., Engineering, Psychology, humanities, Pharmacy, Management)?

How good was my seeking information? Has my search been wide enough to ensure I have found all the relevant materials? Is the number of sources I have used appropriate for the length of my paper?

Have I critically analyzed the literature I use? Do I follow through a set of concepts and questions, comparing items to each other in the ways they deal with them?

Ask Yourself Questions…….

Instead of just listing and summarizing items, do I assess them, discussing strengths and weaknesses?

Have I cited and discussed studies contrary to my perspective?

Will the reader find my literature review relevant, appropriate, and useful?

Ask Yourself Questions……. Has the author formulated a problem/issue? Is it clearly defined? Is its significance (scope,

severity, relevance) clearly established? Could the problem have been approached more

effectively from another perspective? What is the author’s research orientation (e.g.,

interpretive, critical science, combination)? What was the author’s theoretical framework

(e.g., psychological, developmental, feminist)?

Ask Yourself Questions…….

Has the author evaluated the literature relevant to the problem/issue? Does the author include literature taking positions she or he does not agree with?

How accurate and valid are the measurements? Is the analysis of the data accurate and relevant to the research question? Are the conclusions validly based upon the data and analysis?

Literature Review Process1. Select a

topic

2. Search and choose

the literature

3. Develop your

argument

4. Critique the

literature

5. Survey the

literature

6. Write the Review

1. Select A Topic Read your assignment carefully! Ask for clarification from professor Talk over your ideas with someone Scan academic journals Read professional blogs and listserve Look for Research Agendas on professional

association websites Focus on your topic.

2. Search the literature

Types of sources that can be included: Books, Articles, Abstracts, Reviews,

Dissertations and thesis, Research reports, Websites, Films, etc.

Identify the most important/useful databases for your discipline.

Develop an understanding of the academic terminology for your field of study

Determine time frame.

2.Cont.……. Search the literature

Look for empirical and theoretical literature Include primary and secondary sources Identify classic or seminal studies Identify important authors who are

contributing to the development of your topic

Use a system to organize and manage material

From the very beginning Refworks or other bibliographic management software.

3. Develop your argument

This step is a planning step- you will develop these arguments in the next two steps: surveying and critiquing the literature

You must build a case for what is known about your topic and determine how this knowledge addresses the question”- Machi and McEvoy, 2009

Develop two types of arguments: Argument of discovery- develop findings that present that current

state of knowledge about your research interest. Argument of advocacy- analyze and critique the knowledge gained

from developing the argument of discovery to answer the research question.

3.Cont.….. Develop Your Argument

Analyze the claims within the literature to develop your argument.

Claim- the argument’s declaration or assertion Evidence- data that define and support the claim Types of claims: Fact Worth Policy Concept interpretation

4+5. Survey and Critique the Literature

Develop the discovery argument and the advocacy argument.

Answer the Questions: What do we know about the subject of our study? Based on what we know, what conclusions can we draw about the

research question? Critically assess each piece of literature you have

gathered to analyze its content. You need to be: Methodical Systematic Rigorous Consistent.

4+5. Cont.…. Survey and Critique

Stage 1: Skim and Read

Skim first- note topic, structure, general reasoning, data, and bibliographical references.

Go back and skim the prefaced and introduction, try to identify main ideas contained in the work.

Identify key parts of the article or key chapters in books.

4+5. Cont.….. Survey and Critique

Stage 2: Highlight and Extract Key Elements Trying to understand historical context and current state Identify themes, trends, patterns Also looking for gaps and anomalies Key questions to ask of the literature: What are the origins and definitions of the topic? What are the key theories, concepts, and ideas? What are the major debates, arguments, and issues? What are the key questions and problems that have been

addressed to date? Are there any important issues that have been insufficiently

addressed to date?

4+5. Cont.….Survey and Critique When analyzing research studies, must also

identify some of the key elements that all research studies should include:

Problem Purpose Research question Sample Methodology Key findings Conclusions Recommendations

6.Write the Review Use the results of your analysis and critique

of the literature to develop the organization of your review

Develop a detailed outline: Identify the themes and /or patterns that have emerged Translate these into headings and subheadings Be sure your outline is logical

Be selective with the literature you include

6. Cont.…. Write Review Synthesis , reorganize and reassemble all of

the separate pieces and details to create an integrated whole

Make connections between ideas and concepts

Never present a chain of isolated summaries of previous studies

The synthesis needs to build a knowledge base and extend new lines of thinking

Remember- this is your entry into conversation!

Writing a literature review is a creative activity

References

1. Bloomberg, L.D. and M. Volpe (2008). Completing your Qualitative Dissertation: A Roadmap from Beginning to End. Los Angeles: Sage

2. Machi, L.E. and B.T. McEvoy (2009). The Literature Review: Six Steps to Success. Thousand Oaks: Corwin Sage.

The End

Thanks all my dear brothers and sisters for your kind cooperation by watching and listening with patience!