17 literature review

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Research Methodology Dr. Nimit Chowdhary, Professor

A ‘GOOD’ LITERATURE REVIEW…

Is a synthesis of available research

Is a critical evaluation Has appropriate breadth

and depth Has clarity and is concise

Uses rigorous and consistent methods

A ‘POOR’ LITERATURE REVIEW…

Is an annotated bibliography

Is confined to description Is narrow and shallow

Is confusing and longwinded

Constructed in an arbitrary way

© Dr. Nimit Chowdhary Research Methodology Workshop p. 2

Saturday, April

14, 2012

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© Dr. Nimit Chowdhary Research Methodology Workshop p. 3 Saturday, April 14, 2012

“Literature review is conscious, focused and directed scanning of literature for specified purposes”


“Literature review is a combination of summaryand synthesis of relevant literature that follows a logical pattern”

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Your job as a (research) writer is to show that you know what you're talking about, that what you're writing is true, and that you're writing matters--with doctoral-level evidence that will pass the critical read of the audience in the authoritative style and voice of a scholarly writer.


Distinguishing what has been done from what needs to be done;

Discovering important variables relevant to the topic;

Synthesizing and gaining a new perspective; Identifying relationships between ideas and

practice; Establishing the context of the topic or

problem© Dr. Nimit Chowdhary Research Methodology Workshop p. 6 Saturday, April 14, 2012

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Rationalizing the significance of the problem; Enhancing and acquiring the subject

vocabulary; Understanding the structure of the subject; Relating ideas and theory to applications; Identifying methodologies and techniques that

have been used; Placing the research in a historical context to

show familiarity with state-of-the-art developments.

© Dr. Nimit ChowdharySaturday, April 14, 2012

Steps in research process

Kinds of literature to be reviewed

Purposes of review

Identification and selection of problem

Source material, encyclopedia, textbooks, reference books

Latest publications on the disciplines

ICSSR survey of research in social sciences

Bibliography of doctoral dissertations (AIU)

Theses in the selected discipline

To gain preliminary orientation

To gain up-to-date knowledge in the field

To know the work already done on the subject

To identify research gaps in the field

To avoid duplication

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Purposes of review

Formulation of the selected problem

Previous studies in the field. Journals, published and unpublished theses

To become familiar with appropriate methodology and research techniques relevant to the study

Operationalisation of concepts

Same as above For clarifying concepts and knowing measurement techniques




Purposes of review

Preparation of research proposal

Illustrated books on methodology of research

Published an unpublished theses

To develop alternative designs

For formatting hypothesis and deciding sample design, etc.

Construction of tools for collection of data

Same as above Copies of tools and scales

furnished in the appendix of theses

For gaining thorough knowledge of the process of tools and measurement techniques

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Purposes of review

Drafting the theoretical chapters and theory parts of other chapters

Journals, textbooks, reference books and reports on subject matter

To take notes and compile bibliography

Interpreting findings and drawing conclusions

Journals, textbooks, reference books and reports on subject matter

To compare outcomes of research with earlier studies and make sense to arrive at conclusions

1. What was done? Was it effective?2. When did this take place? 3. What was the accepted belief at this time?4. Where did this study or event take place?5. How does this relate to your study?6. Who was involved?


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7. What methodologies were used? Were they appropriate?

8. What were the limitations? How were these limitations addressed?

9. What type of instruments were used?10. What was the sample and population

studied?


11. What did this add to the knowledge or solution of the problem?

12. What recommendations were made? 13. Who was affected by this study or program?14. What are the similarities between this study

and your study?15. Was this an appropriate means of dealing

with the problem?


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the accepted facts in the area the popular opinion the main variables the relationship between concepts and

variables shortcomings in the existing findings limitations in the methods used in the

existing findings the relevance of your research suggestions for further research in the area.


An overview of the subject, issue or theory under consideration, along with the objectives of the literature review

Division of works under review into categories (e.g. those in support of a particular position, those against, and those offering alternative theses entirely)

Explanation of how each work is similar to and how it varies from the others

Conclusions as to which pieces are best consideredin their argument, are most convincing of their opinions, and make the greatest contribution to the understanding and development of their area of research

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Review the literature don’t reproduce it! Look for circular patterns in the material you

are accessing and reading. Identify two articles that really impressed you

and use these as models.


Plan the literature review: Outline what you plan to argue. Structure the evidence around your main

argument(s). Emphasise the relatedness of the literature to the

problem you are discussing. Interpret, don’t just give summaries.

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Show different view points. Explain why these may be misguided. Use primarily current peer-reviewed and

refereed journal articles. You include all germinal work related to your

problem and topic. Integrate sources – do not present one view,

then another, then another…


17 literature review

Technology