Research Methods

Literature Review:
Literature Search
Workshop 1
Dr. Cheryl Ng
 1. To define what is literature review in research
Learning methodology

outcomes 2. To demonstrate skills in performing literature

review related to research topic
What is literature review?
• According to University of Wincosin writing centre

• “Critical analysis of a segment of a published body of knowledge

through summary, classification, and comparison of prior research
studies, reviews of literature, and theoretical articles”

• According to Ferfolj and Burnett “Examination of the research that

has been conducted in a particular field of study”
 What the research says?

Key points of
a literature How the research was carried
out?
review

What is the missing or gap that

the research intends to fill?
 • Attain a good knowledge of the field of inquiry
• Reveal any gaps that exist in the literature

Purpose of a •
•
Identify new ways to interpret prior research
Resolve conflicts amongst seemingly
literature contradictory previous studies

review • Point the way in fulfilling a need for additional

research
• Locate your own research within the context of
existing research
Writing a literature review

Problem formulation – which

Literature search – finding
topic or field is being
materials relevant to the
examined and what are its
subject being explored
component issues?

Data evaluation – determining Analysis and interpretation –

which literature makes a discussing the findings and
significant contribution to the conclusions of pertinent
understanding of the topic literature
Elements in literature review
• An overview of the subject, issue or theory under consideration, along
with the objectives of the literature review
• Division of works under review into categories (e.g. those in support of
a particular position, those against, and those offering alternative
theses entirely)
• Explanation of how each work is similar to and how it varies from the
others
• Conclusions as to which pieces are best considered in their argument,
are most convincing of their opinions, and make the greatest
contribution to the understanding and development of their area of
research
 • Provenance—What are the author's credentials? Are
the author's arguments supported by evidence (e.g.
primary historical material, case studies, narratives,
statistics, recent scientific findings)?
• Objectivity—Is the author's perspective even-
Key points in handed or prejudicial? Is contrary data considered
or is certain pertinent information ignored to prove
assessing the author's point?
• Persuasiveness—Which of the author's theses are
Literature most/least convincing?
• Value—Are the author's arguments and conclusions
convincing? Does the work ultimately contribute in
any significant way to an understanding of the
subject?
Common Literature Review structure
• 1) Chronological
• 2) Thematic
• 3) Methodological
• 4) Theoretical
Useful links:
• https://www.scribbr.com/dissertation/literature-review/
• https://library.concordia.ca/help/writing/literature-review.php
• https://www.enago.com/academy/how-to-write-good-literature-revie
w/
Task:
• 1) Identify relevant keywords for literature search
• 2) Literature search with keywords
• 3) Collate literature search and organize them accordingly (either by
year, by keywords, by research design etc.)