Literature ReviewA Guide for Starters

Elizabeth HoSeptember 2009

Main Objective of Literature Review Determine gaps and inconsistencies in a body of research

In short, you need to convince the bosses and readers that the research project you are going to do:

-- is NOT a duplicate of some other studies-- the results you are getting from this study is filling in gaps which existing research studies had failed to fill-- is definitely worth the manpower, time and costs

In a Nutshell,Your Literature Review will sell Your Research Study

An Analogy

You are a designer of skincare cosmetic products. You want to do a study on Factors that are Associated with Skin Dryness in Singapore Women above age 50 before marketing a new facial mask product.

What Will You need in Your Literature Review??

Part 1: Planning Your Literature SearchPart 2: Doing the SearchPart 3: Writing you Literature Review

Part 1: Planning Your Literature Search

You will find studies that:1. Show that the problem of skin dryness in Women age

50 and above is big enough as a beauty concern (so %%%)

2. Show contributing factors to skin dryness in Women age 50 and above, Asian and in Singapore.

If there isn’t enough literature3. Show contributing factors that contribute to skin

dryness internationally in women age 50 and above.If it isn’t enough…

4. Evaluate anti-dryness or hydration products on skin dryness on women age 50 and above compare the pre and post data to show the current products are still not good enough

3 Steps Plan to Start Finding the Studies Needed

Step 1: Know where are these cosmetic, beauty research studies are done or featured in what magazines.

Step 2: Identify the Variables and Population in your Research topic.E.g. Skin dryness, Women age 50 and above (population)

Step 3: Know key words or other terms that mean the same thing. E.g. skin dryness products – hydration, moisturizing, anti-dryness, aqua lotion, etc.

Part 1: Planning Your Literature Search (cont’)

3 Steps Plan

Step 1 List out the -- Search Engines your group will use-- Medical Journals that you think should not be left out and find individually

Step 2 a) List out the Variables in Your Research Study. E.g. poor glycemic controlb) List out the Population in Your Research Study. E.g. Patients on insulin

Step 3 Brainstorm and list keywords and terms that use inter-changeability with your variables.E.g. Insulin-treated, insulin regimen, insulin therapy, etc.

Part 1: Planning Your Literature Search (cont’)

Part 2: Doing the Search

There are 3 skills that you need to know adequately to perform a search.

Skill A – Using Boolean LogicSkill B – Journal SearchSkill C – Using “Limits” features

http://nursecollegiality.blogspot.com/2009/09/pubmed-tutorial-skill-buidling-blocks.html

Click on this Blog Link to learn these Skills

Caution

At times the group might not be able to come up with enough keywords or terms.

The person doing the search has to be attentive to the articles retrieved to identify new key terms and re-run the search.

If there is still not enough literature. Take the potential papers and look through the articles’ references.

When the search is saturated, it is time to piece your evidence together.

Step 1 List out the SIMILARITIES in these studies you’ve included

Step 2 List out the DIFFERENCES in these studies you’ve included

Step 3 List out the LIMITATIONS in these studies you’ve included and how your study intend to overcome these GAPS

Part 3: Writing the Literature Review

Several studies have found ….Findings thus far suggest….Results from a landmark study indicated …There appears to be strong evidence that ….

Or vice versa

Polit and Beck (2006), Essentials of Nursing Research: Methods, Appraisal and Utilization, page 143.

Some Style of Writing

Part 3: Writing the Literature Review (cont’)

An Example from

Rosilio et al (1998). Factors associated with glycemic control – a cross-sectional nationwide study in 2,579 French children with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Care, 21(7): 1146-1153

Part 3: Writing the Literature Review (cont’)

SIMILARITIES in studies

GAPS in studies

Part 3: Writing the Literature Review (cont’)

LIMITATIONS in studies

Part 3: Writing the Literature Review (cont’)

How your study intends to cover the gaps

Part 3: Writing the Literature Review (cont’)

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