Advance Research Methodology
Literature Review
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Introduction ««««««««««««««««««««««.... ««««««««««««««««««««««.........03 .....03
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Purpose
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Importance «««««««««««««««««««««« ««««««««««««««««««««««««««04 ««««04
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Literature Search
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Literature Review Process
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Literature Review
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Book
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Review ««««««««««««««««««««« «««««««««««««««««««««««««..09 ««««..09
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Text Books ««««««««««««««««««««««« «««««««««««««««««««««««10 10
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Literature Review
Writing ««««««««««««««..«..11 ««««««««««««««..«..11
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References ««««««««««««««««««««««..16 ««««««««««««««««««««««..16
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Advance Research Methodology
Literature Review
Introduction literature review is an appraising description of information found in the literature associated to your chosen ch osen area of research. The literature review illustrates, summarize, appraise and clarify the literature for which you are a re writing literature review. It should give a hypothetical foundation for the research and helps you establish the t he nature of your research. Unrelated works w orks are removed completely while the marginal ones are considered critically. ´ ´A
literature review is a summary of previous research on a topic. Literature reviews can be either a part of a larger report of a research project, a thesis or a bibliographic essay that is published separately in a scholarly journal. Some questions to think about as you develop your literature review:
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What is known about the subject? Are there any gaps in the knowledge of the subject? Have areas of further study been identified by other researchers that you may want to consider? Who are the significant research personalities personalities in this area? Is there consensus about the topic? What aspects a spects have generated significant debate on the topic? What methods or problems were identified by others studying in the field and how might they impact your research? What is the most productive methodology for your research based on the literature you have reviewed? What is the current status of research in this area? What sources of information or data were identified that might be useful to you?
If the literature review is part of a Ph.D. dissertation, this review will be comprehensive comprehensive covering all research on the topic. As part of your research report, you need to cover the major work that has been done on the topic recently, but it is not necessary to try to identify all research on the subject.
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Advance Research Methodology Purpose
Literature Review
of a Literature Review
The purpose of a literature review is to convey to the reader what knowledge and ideas have been established on a topic and what are the strengths and weaknesses. The literature review allows the reader to be brought up to date regarding the state of research in the field and familiarizes the reader with any contrasting perspectives perspectives and viewpoints on the topic. There are good reasons reasons for beginning a literature review review before starting a research research paper. These reasons include: y
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To see what has and has not been investigated. To develop general explanation for observed variations in a behavior or phenomenon. To identify potential relationships between concepts and to identify researchable hypotheses. To learn how others have defined and measured key concepts. To identify data sources that other researches have used. To develop alternative al ternative research projects. To discover how a research project is related to the work of others.
Importance
of Literature Review
Research is made in order to inform people with new knowledge or discovery. However, it is not to be expected that everybody would willingly believe what you are tackling in your whole research paper. Thus, what you can do to make your research more credible will be to support them with other works which have spoken about the same topic that you have for your research. This is where literature review comes in. You can even have literature sources in works such as stories, comments, project, speech, article, novel, poem, essay, program, theory, and others. This is why literature review involves scanning the pages of any published literature like l ike books, newspaper, magazine, website, webpage, collection, paper, pamphlet, and the like where you may be able to t o find any reference to the same topic that you are researching on. This time, ´literature·µ does not exclusively refer to the poetic rendition of words, like that of Shakespeare alone. Hailey College Of Commerce
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Advance Research Methodology
Literature Review
There are many reasons why literature review is rendered as a significant part of any research or dissertation paper. You may ask what makes it as such if it is only supposed to contain tidbits of other related works. Literature review is the part of the paper where the researcher will be given the opportunity to strengthen your paper for you will be citing what other reliable authors have said about your topic. This will prove that you are not just writing about any random subject but that many others have also poured their thoughts on the topic. You may also ask what makes literature review a necessary part of the paper. This question can be answered by trying not to include the review in your paper. Obviously, it affects the length of your paper but this is not the noticeable part. What would most certainly be lacking is the fact that your paper, without the literature review, only contains all of your opinions about the facts that you have discovered through your research. Thus, how can you further convince the readers, in this case, the committee who will scrutinize your paper? This is the need that is answered only by the literature review. B y the mere fact that you are using ´referencingµ by citing what more credible people had said about the topic will build a stronger foundation for your paper. With a literature review, you need to establish clear tie between the works that you have cited and the topic that you are writing about. You should be able to justify the inclusion of a certain work in your review so as to make everything that you have written useful. The more you include useless points in your paper, the more that the committee will think that you have not put in a lot of thinking into your paper. A
Literature
review is also unique from the rest of the paper. While you have to fill most of the paper with your own analysis, in a literature review alone, you will have to write purely about related works of other people.
Literature Search 1. Developing a search strategy Hailey College Of Commerce
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Literature Review
the topic - In order to begin your literature review you must first define your your research question. question. What is the purpose? purpose? What does it mean? What are the key words? words? Are there other other words which could could be used, such as synonyms, variations variations in spelling? What do you already know about the topic? What is the scope? Do you need everything everything ever ever written in English English on this topic, or just the last ten years? Defining
Compiling a list of keywords - Before beginning a search for information, it is important to develop a search strategy that will most effectively locate useful, relevant information. information. This will often involve involve breaking down an essay essay or research question into: Keywords or phrases; entering your search; and evaluating your results to determine whether you need to employ various strategies to broaden, narrow or otherwise modify your research. Analyzing
the topic of an essay question or research topic usually involves making a list of keywords or phrases. You will need to include all the key concepts or ideas contained within the essay or research question. It might be useful to include alternative ways of phrasing and expressing expressing concepts and ideas. Think about both general terms and very specific terms for broadening and narrowing your search. The keyword keyword or phrase is the basic unit of any search. search. You may find it helpful to consult subject dictionaries and encyclopedias, or a textbook glossary for the common terminology terminology of the subject area. The use of an index and/or and/or thesaurus is also advisable to establish the useful terms. 2.
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of formats. It Resources - Information is available in a number of is important for you to understand the significance of various formats so that you know what will best suit your information requirements. requirements. Identifying
Books
Reference Materials Journals
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Indexes/ Abstracts Printed Electronic Databases Government publications Page 5
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Theses
Dissertations Internet
Literature Review Process This clear, understandable six-step method for a straightforward literature review process offers a roadmap to developing and writing an effective literature review for a research project, thesis, or dissertation. Organized around a comprehensive and detailed six-step developmental model, provides guided exercises, graphics, charts, and examples from the everyday experiences of researchers.
1) Selecting a topic 2) Searching the literature 3) Developing arguments 4) Surveying the literature 5) Critiquing the literature 6) Writing the literature review
Literature Review Format literature review is a summary of research that has been published about a particular subject. It provides the reader with an idea about the current situation in terms of what has been done, and what we know. Sometimes it includes suggestions about what needs to be done to increase the knowledge and understanding understanding of a particular problem. A
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Advance Research Methodology
Literature Review
The articles used must be from professional journals, which mean we can trust that the authors are trained professionals, and others have examined their work. Some studies are more easily read and summarized than others. Be sure you feel comfortable with your choices, since it is difficult to summarize ideas you don't understand. Once you have found the articles, read them and take notes. Write the literature review from your notes. Writing
the paper:
literature review usually has three sections although they will not be identified as such in the paper. pa per. A
1) Introduction: Introduce your topic and briefly explain why this is a significant or important area for study. Define terms if i f necessary. 2) Summary of articles: In a paragraph or two for each study, briefly explain the purpose, how it was conducted (how information was gathered), and the major findings. When referring to an article, use the last name of author or authors and date of publication in the text. Example: Calvin and Brommel (1996) believe family communication . . . Or
Communication
serves two primary functions in families--cohesion and adaptability (Galvin and Brommel, 1996).
3) Conclusion: Briefly summarize the major findings of the studies chosen. Comments about what questions need need to still be answered may be included. 4) References: List the studies used on a separate page according to format.
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APA
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Advance Research Methodology Book
Literature Review
Review/ Book Report
book review (or book report) is a form of literary criticism in which a book is analyzed based on content, style, and merit. It is often carried out in periodicals, as school work, or on the internet. Its length may vary from a single paragraph to a substantial essay. Such a review often contains evaluations of the book on the basis of personal taste. Reviewers, in literary periodicals, often use the occasion of a book review for a display of learning or to promulgate their own ideas on the topic of a fiction or non-fiction work. At the other end of the spectrum, some book reviews resemble simple plot summaries. A
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a Teaching Tool
The book review is assigned to secondary and post-secondary post-secondary students to help them to develop analytical skills. First, the reviewer has to summarize the content, regardless of the type of novel, a historical or critical book. In the subsequent narration, the goal of the book reviewer is to discuss the content of the book and provide analysis of what he/she had read, and deduce if the author managed to reveal the core, whether he/she kept to the thesis or properly achieved the purpose of the book. The last thing the reviewer has to do is to speculate on the topic him/herself. The book reviewer should also undertake through their own research to discuss the theme, assess the author·s ability to express and explore this theme, and provide an opinion of the novel. The determination of the book review is to communicate to the reader's mind the ideas and sensations the reviewer experienced while researching the content. In this way, the reader knows what the author sought to transmit, or what the reviewer experienced while reading. The reviewer, then, takes three roles: reporter, in informing the third th ird party of the events; analyst, a nalyst, in making judgments based on experience; and sideline observer, in pretending to act as the reader should by expressing their own opinion, desires and expectations.
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Textbooks
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Advance Research Methodology
Literature Review
In reviewing a textbook, the reviewer has a different set of considerations. Unlike the language in a monograph, that in a textbook must not be technical and jargon must be avoided. The reader will be a student, not a peer of the scientist who wrote the book. Technical terms will be used, of course, but each should be carefully defined at first use. The function of the book reviewer is to determine whether the subject of the text is treated clearly, in a way that is likely to enable students to grasp and to appreciate the knowledge presented. The textbook reviewer has one additional responsibility. If other texts on the same subject exist, which is usually the case; the reviewer should provide appropriate comparisons.
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Book
reviews require special skills and oblige the reviewer with precise responsibilities. The professional reviewer does not just have to read and scrutinize the text, but to realize concealed, implied meaning the author obviously had dropped hints about. Skilled book reviewers' explanations make the reader feel confident in their perception of the book or change it entirely. The reviewer must also state the main points of the reviewed book. While some aspects are less meaningful, others have to be marked out as prerogative issues. The task is even more complicated as the writer could unintentionally imply the idea the reviewer of the book can notice. Then, the book reviewer has to decide upon author·s point·s validity. The reviewer has to be the judge and say ´did the writer persuade the audience, a udience, or were his/her evidences not sufficient and weak.µ The reviewer here makes a judgment on the adequacy of the book topic to the content. The book review is also the expertise of the contents authenticity. B y comparing the reviewed book to other materials in the given category the reviewer work implies potential danger for those writers, who admit a dmit plagiarism. If the th e reviewer finds fi nds the book authentic and, perhaps, unique, the points and attitudes of the reviewer are discussed.
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Advance Research Methodology Writing
Literature Review
Literature Reviews
The importance of literature review can not be denied because it is a review of writing on a subject. The under-mentioned under-mentioned reasons the importance of literature l iterature review: a. b. c. d. e. A
Literature
review helps to find new ways to figure out any ambiguity or flaws in earlier researches. A literature review portrays the link of each work to the others. Literature review resolves any contradictory findings, or gaps in previous studies. Most importantly, literature review leads the way wa y forward for further research. It adds the understanding and knowledge of the particular field.
Literature Review Should Cover These 4 Points 1. The literature review discovers the areas of controversy controversy in the t he literature. 2. The literature review explains how each work is similar to and how it varies va ries from the others. 3. Literature review should be well-structured around and directly linked to the research question you are developing. 4. The literature review should present an overview of the t he subject, issue or theory under consideration, along with the objectives of the literature review.
Development
A
of Literature Review
literature review involves the four stages to t o advance: 1. Problem Formulation:
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Advance Research Methodology
Literature Review
First of all, the component issues of topic of literature review to examine or research are determined. 2. Literature Search:
Finding materials are collected relevant to the subject being explored to write the literature review. 3.
Data Appraisal:
It is determined that which literature makes a worth mentioning mentioning contribution to the understanding of the topic of literature lit erature review. review. 4.
Analysis:
Finally, the findings of relevant literature are analyzed a nalyzed to conclude and include in literature review. 6
Crucial Tips on ´How to
Apply
i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi.
Write
a Literature Review?µ
these tips to write a good literature review:
You need to keep entire and exact records and references of what you read and find during research. Learn the required citation style. Make notes or summaries of the t he articles, books journals, papers whatever you read. You must infer and read between the lines when go through any written work. Broaden your vision and develop your own ideas without worrying that it might not be accepted. Just don·t be relaxed with w ith copying previous work. Divide the literature review into different thematic parts which w hich will help you to focus.
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Advance Research Methodology vii.
Literature Review
Read the leading published material and search for the current issues for the latest information.
Resources to
Develop
Review of Literature
There is a wide range of sources to develop your literature review. These resources include: y
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Books
Scholarly journals Previous Research papers World wide web Bibliographies Encyclopedias Newspapers Statistics handbooks/information
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Conference
proceedings
Thesis Unpublished papers Empirical studies Historical records Commercial reports Government reports and reports from other bodies
Literature Review Guidelines for Organization The following pattern is a very reasonable one to organize a literature l iterature review. review.
Introduction:
Define the topic, together with your reason for selecting the topic. You could also al so point out overall trends, gaps, particular themes etc.
1. Body: Hailey College Of Commerce
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Literature Review
In body, you discuss your sources. There is some way to in which w hich you could organize your discussion: a. C hronologically: hronologically: For example: If writers' views have a tendency to change over time. There is little point in doing the review by order of publication publicat ion unless this demonstrates a clear style. b. Thematically: Here you can decide particular themes in the literature. For example in the literature review of poverty and disability, the writer can take the themes of the prevalence and structure of disability, education, employment, income and poverty, causes of disability, the path pat h from poverty to disability and vice versa, and finally, policies for disabled people. c. Me thodologically thodologically In this way, the focus is on the methods of the t he researcher. For example, qualitative versus quantitative approaches. 2. Conclusion: Summarize the major contributions, evaluating the current position, and pointing out flaws in methodology, gaps g aps in the research, contradictions, and areas for further study.
Litera tu ture Rev iew Rev ision ision
To revise and check of any flaw or lack l ack in literature review, answer to these questions: y
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What is the specific thesis, proble m, or research question that my literature review helps to t o define? How good was my information seeking? Was my search wide enough to ensure the availability availa bility of relevant material?
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Did I narrow enough the literature review to leave out irrelevant material? Have I used suitable number of sources for the length? Have I critically analyzed the literature I use? Hive I just summarized the material I read? Does it have my own thoughts and insight? Have I used the citation properly? Will the reader find my literature review appropriate, and useful ?
Literature Review Example There are many ways for you to get a literature review exa mple. But before you learn how to retrieve these files, it is important that you first understand what this chapter of a dissertation is about. Basically a literature review is a chapter that is integrated into the thesis paper or any research papers. It is required so that you may present to your audiences the real significance of using a topic for research. The literature review is like a proof that what you are going to talk about in your paper is important and makes sense. Because you are going to review something related to your topic, it means there are already al ready research papers that were able to come up with their respective results. You are only trying to improve the sense of writing about a specific subject. Now, a literature review is a review of a single or multiple documents. It is a compendium of different different articles that will w ill establish the true importance of the topic. You may use a book article, essay article or another research paper as the sources of information. These sources should have the same topic as yours. When writing a literature review you are simply compressing a lot of ideas from multiple resources. You will be compressing these data into a singular part of your research paper. In dissertation writing there are multiple parts and each one of these parts is important and has a purpose. The literature review·s purpose is to extend the topic for more horizons of understanding. Now where do we get a good literature review exa mple? The first good source is the library. You must have a set of research papers where you will retrieve info about the same topic. Libraries teem with books that will help you better capture your topic·s significance. Then you can summarize the contents of book portions to help you manage your chapter.
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Literature Review
You can also find other research papers that were already published. You may try looking for them from your friends who have already graduated from school, or from teachers in your academy. There are some faculties that can lend you some materials when you are about to write a dissertation paper. It is also important that you know how to utilize the resources on the Internet. You have an option to simply retrieve files from any websites. But be careful when you do this because not all sites are reliable. There are some that will only require you to pay in exchange of a literature review sample. Others will simply give you lousy samples and will force you to order some more research paper files and then you will be charged. These websites are not worth your time and effort. On the other hand, we can provide you a high quality literature review example anytime. These materials are for free and you can easily download them anytime you wish. They are really helpful in writing any types of literature review pages.
References 1.
Article: Literature Review Writing
(Uncover the Secrets to Write an
Excellent Literature Review) 2. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 3.
Article:
The Literature Review: Six Steps to Success by Lawrence A. Machi, Brenda T. McEvoy) 4. Online F.D. Bluford Library 5. Adapted from Dr. Hellmann's Family Communication class handout.
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