Practical Research Chapter 3
What is a Literature review? - 6 to 8 sources
Research proposals and research reports typically have a section– in the case of a thesis or dissertation, often an entire chapter– that described theoretical perspectives and previous research findings related to the problem at hand
Foundation of your argument– foundation of research
First 2-3 rows are based on lit review
It’s function is to review “look again” at what others have done in areas that are similar though not necessarily identical to one’s own topic of investigation
Give different angles to look at the problem/topic you’ve selected
Can use to uncover a blind spot that has not yet been covered
Literature reviews provide the foundation of the argument that establishes the significance of the problem you are investigating and the validity of your research plan
Problem statement and research question come at the end of the lti review and right before at end of introduction
You know you're on the right track when your lit review has…
Helped you ascertain whether other researchers have already addressed and answered your research or at least some of its sub problems
Offered new ideas, perspectives, and apporahces that may not have occurred to you
Informed you about other individuals who conduct work in this areas--indivudals whom you may wish to contact for advice or feedback.
… alerted you to controversial issues and gaps in understanding that have not yet been resolved- issues and gaps you might address ub your own work
Your specific gap should be in your lit reviuew
Shown you how others have handled methodological and design issues in studies similar to your own.
Helped you interpret and make sense of your finding and ultimately help you tie your results to the work of those who have preceded you
At the end of the day..
Lit reviews demonstrate how researchers have done their due diligence in becoming experts in the field to the highest degree possible with the researchers given to them.
Lit reviews highlight the gap in scholarly understanding that has yet to be explored , explained, or created that would aid in enlightening the scholarly community related to the research topic of choice
Every possible angle of the issue/problem has been analyzed (within reason)
Every perspective from other researcher have been analyzed (within reason)
All relates and valid subproblems associated with the topic have been posed with rationale connections
*Simply put the more you know about investigations and perspectives related to your topic, the more effectively you can address your own research problem”
8-10 sources should be present within each literature review section of a paper.
Terms:
Gap- A missing piece of the puzzle within the realm of research that has been chosen for further investigation
A gap in understanding in how certain variables react to each other
A gap in knowledge concerning how one variable reacts in an environment
A gap in understanding in relation to methodology (the study of methods)
A continuation of a researchers claims or project that has yet to be performed or executed
Literature Review: A section of a research paper that establishes the foundational argument that validates the research project in the first place
It not only provides justification for research, but support the rational and logical necessity for the researchers due diligence as a scholar
Highlights the gap in research pertaining to that particular topic
It highlights the researchers due diligence as a scholar
Common Errors in Literature Reviews
Over-Reliance on secondary sources: While secondary sources can be helpful, researchers should strive to consult primary sources whenever possible
Failure to evaluate the quality of sources: It is important to critically evaluate the quality of the sources used in the literature. This involves assessing factors such as the author’s credentials, the publication's reputation and the methodology
Lack of synthesis and analysis: a lit review should not simply be a list of summaries and individual studies. It should also synthesize the info and analyze the relationships between different studies view
**can only be written after preliminary research is completed