Literature Review: Why a Literature Review?

1.      Identify the collective knowledge in an area.

2.      Identify the big players (influential scholars) in the field – research area.

3.      Make your work a real contribution to what has been done.

4.      Provide a historical background of your work.

5.      Give an overview of the current context of your work.

(Contemporary debates, issues, questions in the field)

6.       Include a discussion of relevant theories and concepts.

7.      Introduce relevant terminologies and provide definitions.

8.      Describe related research and show how your work extends or challenges this, or addresses a gap.

9.      Provide supporting evidence that underlines the significance of your work.

(Ridley, 2008)

1.      Identify topics: popularity, maturity, feasibilty.

2.      Identify theoretical foundations: interdisciplinary, applicability.

      Always identify topics with strong theoretical foundation.  

3.      Identify and justify research methods. 

4.      Synthesize findings: to build on, to verify and replicate, to contradict. 

5.      Identify gaps and holes in the literature. 

(Ridley, 2008)

 Academic work related: term papers, degree related theses, publications, and proposals for funding.

Overview of a research area: textbooks, lectures.

 Guidelines for professional and evidence based practice: keynote speakers and professional advisors.

 Personal curiosity.  

Students @ Logan:

Senior Research Project (SRP)

Masters Thesis

Early in the research process.

Continue building on to the literature review to assess and update the literature.

Know when good is good enough to move to the next step.

Look at the references in similar studies to build your literature.

Useful concepts to consider When doing a Literature Review