MATH 417 – Research Trends and Needs in Math

Presenter: Kimberly Joy A. Panaga

A literature review...
● Surveys scholarly sources
on a specific topic
● Provides an overview of
current knowledge
● Points out gaps in existing
research
● Appears as part of a
dissertation or on its own
 Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5
Identify
Search for Evaluate and Write your
themes, Outline the
relevant select literature
debates, and structure.
literature. sources. gaps. review.
Outline your
structure.
 Common structures
Chronological Methodological

Organize by Organize by
time. methods.

Thematic Theoretical
Organize by
Organize by
theoritical
themes.
approach.
Choose the framework that suits
your topic best, and try to draw
up a rough outline of your
structure; if you like, you can even
combine different structures —
for example, covering each theme
in turn but taking a chronological
approach within each theme.
 Write your
literature review.
INTRODUCTION BODY CONCLUSION
Establishes the Directly discusses Summarizes the key
purpose of the the findings of the
review. literature. review.
Stand-alone literature review:

- Provide background on the topic.

- Describe the objectives of the literature
review.

Dissertation, thesis, or research paper:

- Reiterate the central problem.

- Briefly summarize the scholarly context.
- May be divided into sections
- Analyze and interpret
- Critically evaluate
- Synthesize different sources
- Use well-structured paragraphs
- Cite your sources
Stand-alone literature review:

- Discuss the overall implications

- Make suggestions for future research

Dissertation, thesis, or research paper:

- Show how the literature review has

informed your approach
- State what gaps your research will address