2.

1 LITERATURE
REVIEW
Research Methods (for 2 year students)
By Nazym Seitova, MSc, BSc (FCH)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
▪ Objectives of the lesson
▪ Concepts, theories and models
▪ Activity 1
▪ How to use online academic search engines ?
▪ Activity 2
▪ Homework

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OBJECTIVES OF THE
LESSON
▪ Students will be able to describe and differentiate between Theories/
Concepts/ Models
▪ Students will be able to explain a specific theory (in their own words)
▪ Students will be able to identify and use online academic search
engines

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 ACTIVITY 1: CONCEPT VS.
THEORY
1.Not considered as a fact, but as the best educated guess about certain
phenomenon.
3. Is an abstract notion.
2.Prone to morph and change.
4.Collection of explanations about a particular subject.
5. It is considered to be a general idea
6. It is an explanation supported by
about certain phenomenon.
significant evidence.
8.Organised.
9.Unorganised.
7. Does not need to be tested.
10.The main component of it has to be tested and either proved or disapproved.
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 CONCEPT VS. THEORY
3.Is an abstract notion 4.Collection of explanations
(C). about a particular subject (T).
2.Prone to morph and 1.Not considered as a fact, but as the best
change (C). educated guess about certain phenomenon (T).

5. It is considered to be a general idea 6. It is an explanation supported by

about certain phenomenon (C). significant evidence (T).

7. Does not need to be 10. The main component of it has to be

tested and either proved or disapproved
tested (C). (T).

8. Unorganised(C). 9. Organised (T).

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(Koshal, 2014)
 MODEL
• Graphical representation of
theories
• Less proven than theories
• Establishes relationships
between proven theories and a
concept

(McMillan and Weyers, 2008)

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CONCEPT – THEORY - MODEL

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 IMPORTANCE
▪ Basis of academic analysis (synthesis)
▪ Validate ideas, assumptions and hypothesis
(empirical research findings)
▪ Visualization of ideas (model)
▪ Useful as introduction to general ideas
(concept)
▪ Basis to develop further arguments (theory)

(Bryman and Bell, 2014)

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ONLINE ACADEMIC SEARCH
ENGINES

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WHAT TO TYPE IN SEARCH?

▪ Concept: Employee Loyalty

▪ Key words: human resources, employee
retention, commitment, motivation, job
satisfaction

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 JOURNAL ARTICLE SEARCH
▪ 1. Use advanced search
▪ 2. Use variety of key words related to the researched
concept (ex. team conflict)
▪ 3. Narrow down the list by additional key words (ex. hotel,
hospitality industry, hospitality institutes, tourism, restaurant)
▪ 4. Open article
▪ 5. Look at the Key words list by the Abstract section (also
read abstract)
▪ 6. Click “Download” (Attention: some articles are available
with Purchase)
▪ 7. Keep track of article sources (referencing, save in the
dedicated folder on your laptop)

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HOW TO READ AN ARTICLE?
▪ 1. Title
▪ 2. Author (s)
▪ 3.Volume number, Issue Number,
Year, Page Number
▪ 4.Abstract
▪ 5. Introduction/ Literature Review
▪ 6. Methodology
▪ 7. Findings/ Results
▪ 8. Conclusion/ Recommendations
▪ 9. References

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 ACTIVITY 2:
FIND A THEORY/MODEL RELATED TO THE
CONCEPT AND TELL US WHAT IT IS ABOUT?

Group 1: Cultural diversity

Group 2: Ecotourism
Group 3: Branding
Group 4: Team performance
Group 5: Buying behavior

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HOMEWORK

Pick one theory relevant to your chosen topic and submit

commentary via Moodle (or other university e-platform)
- 200-250 words.
You will present an RP theory in a class on the next lesson.

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REFERENCES
▪ Bryman, A. and Bell, E. (2011) Business Research Methods. 3rd ed. Oxford: Oxford
University Press.
▪ McMillan, K. and Weyers, J. (2008) How to write Dissertations and Project Reports.
Essex: Pearson Education.
▪ Koshal (2014) Difference between theory and a concept. Difference Between [online],
January 6. Available from: http://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-
concept-and-vs-theory/ [Accessed: 02 August 2021]

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