HNSC 2000 Lit. review

literature review

an academic writing that provides critical overview of the main ideas and research done in your area of interest

reasons to write a literature review

identifying exisiting research on a topic, revealing trends, summarizing evidence, developing new theories, highlight gaps

narrative

assess theories of hypothesis by critically examining study methods and results

conceptual

synthesizes areas of conceptual knowledge to improve understanding

scoping

maps knowledge, gaps and future research direction

aggregative (systematic, meta-analysis)

evaluates strengths, weaknesses and gaps in research

steps for conducting a review

1. define scope

2. search and identify literature

3. select credible resources

4. critically analyze

5. categorize your resources

preparing for a review

1. what is review about

2. why are you studying this topic

3. what is already know

4. what concepts/theories are relevant

5. how will you organize

6. group them by themes or subtopics

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What to consider when reviewing

1. what research methodsa d strategies have been employed

2. are there controversies

3. are there any inconsistencies in the findings

4. are there any unanswered questions

5. what are the major themes

6. what could more research do for understanding

sources

critical review of relevant literature only

topic

should also situate your topic and position in relation to exisiting literature

the story

good articles develop a story

a lit review should develop a story and argument

strategies for a review

constructing intertextual coherence, show links between exisitng lit, problematizing the situation, criticize the lit by identifying problem

CRAAP Test

currency

relevance

authority

accuracy

purpose

currency

the timelessness of the info

relevance

the importance of the info

authority

the source of the info

accuracy

the reliability, truthfulness and correctness

purpose

the reason the info exists