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Academische competenciesThe Literature Review: A Step-by-Step Guide for Students
Chapter1: Introduction
Literature review = it is where connections are made between the source texts that you
draw on and where connections are made between the source texts that you draw on and
where you position yourself and your research among these sources. Identifies theories and
previous research which have influenced your choice of research topic and the methodology
you are choosing to adopt. Illustrate that there is a gap in previous research which needs to
be filled.
Literature review process = involved in creating the review that appears in your dissertation.
It helps in formulating the research question, while at the same time identifying relevant
theories and related research studies to your own and the methodology that you might
adopt.
Literature review = the selection of available documents (both published and unpublished)
on the topic, which contain information, ideas, data and evidence written from a particular
standpoint to fulfil certain aims or express certain views on the nature of the topic and how
it is to be investigated, and the effective evaluation of these documents in relation to the
research being proposed. The purpose is to provide background to and justification for the
research undertaken.
Degree (master) and nature of the literature review
Analytical and summative, covering methodological issues, research techniques and topics.
Possibly two literature-based chapters, one on methodological issues, which demonstrates
knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages, and another on theoretical issues relevant
to the topic/problem.
The literature review appears as a distinctive chapter or a group of chapters in the final draft
of the dissertation. Literature review 1) introduction 2) key findings 3) conclusion. Page 9.
Chapter 2: The multiple purposes of a literature review
Multiple purposes of literature review
1. It provides a historical background for your research;
o May be significant to highlight differing interpretations of events, policies and
research findings over time.
2. It gives an overview of the current context in which your research is situated by
referring to contemporary debates, issues and questions in the field;
o Justification of the work.
3. It covers a discussion of relevant theories and concepts which underpin your
research;
o It is important to introduce and discuss any theories and concepts which you
intend to draw on to provide direction for your research and to help make
, sense of your data. Own interpretation of these theories and concepts should
be made clear. Review concepts and theories, then provide own view.
o Theory = a framework which offers an explanatory device often in the form of
categories and relationships.
o Concept = an expression that represents a general or abstract which is
derived from more specific instance e.g. democracy, social class or stress.
4. It introduces relevant terminology and provides definitions to clarify how terms are
being used in the context of your own work;
5. It describes related research in the field and shows how your work extends or
challenges this, or addresses a gap in work in the field;
6. It provides supporting evidence for a practical problem or issue which your research
is addressing, thereby underlining its significance.
o Underline the significance of the research you’re proposing. Not just a gap.
Chapter 3: Sources of information and conducting searches
Literature search = a systematic and thorough search of all types of published literature in
order to identify as many items as possible that are relevant to a particular topic. It forms
the basis of your reading and subsequently the written literature review which appears in
the dissertation.
Purpose literature research
1. Identify the field and specific context in which your work is situated
a. Always start with exploratory research
2. Gain a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of the field
a. To make informed choices about important research related issues
3. Find out what other have done in the area to avoid duplicating previous work
a. Identify areas where research has not yet been undertaken
4. Identify key people, organisations and texts that are relevant to the research
a. Refer to them throughout the research
Sources of information:
Books
- Textbooks, specialised books (reports on research), reference books
(encyclopaedias)
Journal articles
- University library, Kaluga etc.
Published literature reviews of a field
- In the form of a journal article of book, used to provide a useful introduction
“Grey literature”
- Reports (by companies), theses and dissertations, conference literature, popular
media, specialist literature, and primary data sources (maps, music, diaries etc.)
Websites
Evaluating online sources of information
1. Who or what organisation has produced the site? Author?
2. When was the site produced or last edited? Publication date?
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