Writing a Literature Review - Coursework Example

Writing a literature review xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Name xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Course xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Lecturer xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Date WRITING A LITERATURE REVIEW Students entering college often encounter a new type of assignment quite contrary to what they were doing in high school; a literature review which is also known as a critical review summary. A literature review examines and summarizes current body of literature or scholarly work that is in relation to the topic under interest (Chris and Shwegler 2000). It does not only give a summation of idea but rather analyzes them critically in order to gain deeper knowledge and insight. Besides that, it does more than describing rather it may note areas in previous researches where authors have agreed or disagreed, compare and contrast different viewpoints or even criticize aspects of methodology. Quitman (2002) maintains that literature review has been considered as a preliminary step when conducting both small and large researches for a number of reasons. First, it provides one with a general overview of a body of knowledge with which one was previously not familiar. Second, it reveals what has worked successfully in the past so that the researcher does not waste time venturing into something unviable. Third, its gives one new idea to use for the research as well as potential challenges expected in the course of the research. Last, a literature review gives justification or rationale of a study. Although there is no standard way of structuring a literature review, most formats contain components that are organized in a particular manner. A literature review should essentially begin with san introduction so as to orient the reader with the problem under study. The introduction first presents the statement of the problem. The statement basically provides reason why the research is important, indicates prevalence of the problem, relative absence of knowledge, its importance to theory and its relevance or cost (Taylor and Procter 2001). The introduction should also state explicitly the research hypothesis or research question or thesis statement. This statement is vital in directing and framing literature search and reading. Another purpose of the introduction is to define key reason or purposes for conducting the research. In other words purpose will tell how the research will address the problem statement. Rationale for undertaking should also be expressively states in the introduction part of the literature review. Finally, the introduction should explain the criteria or research design that was used to compare, analyze and organize literature and when necessary state why certain forms of literature were used. The second component of a literature review is the main body which basically presents arguments consistent with the research. It should begin with definition of terms that may be ambiguous within the text and with the most general context of the topic gradually narrowing to specific aspects (Quitman 2002). This can be done by reviewing classical studies of the field such as the history of the specific field. However, the general overview must be given with the backdrop of the theory to be tested. The body also presents the findings of previous researches and not just measurements and methodologies. It should examine trends and themes as identified from other sources as well deficiencies in the field. A summary of these major points is then provided, synthesized and questions formulated to determine what needs further investigation or research (Galvan 2005). Taylor and Procter (2001) posit that the search for resources to justify arguments in the body should be guided by the objectives of the study as highlighted in the introduction of the proposal of thesis. Paragraphs should begin with strong “umbrella” statements which set pace for fresh arguments “sign posts” and followed immediately by “so what; summary sentences are essential tools to aid in understanding of the analyses and comparison. An example of a sign post is ‘Taylor and Procter (2001) state that research and thesis questions are useful in developing a literature review. So what this means is that literature review is grounded in the research statement thus a research review is not complete with its absence’. This clearly depicts the contribution of the authors to the specific field and how the researcher conducting the current research has related his/her study. Another approach for providing a comprehensive literature review is to identify gaps, deficiencies or weaknesses of previously used methods (Quitman 2002). Justification of how new knowledge will help in a practical and theoretical manner. More specifically, one should evaluate how the proposed research will help to fill the gaps. With powerful scientific standpoints the review should conclusively state what should be done differently. The question of resources to use in the literature review is critical in assessing the strength or weakness of the study. The problem with most students is that they tend to select research question they believe that none else has studied. The major challenge here would be lack of literature relevant to the research and thus one might end up being skeptical about the study. Nevertheless, Galvan (2005) states that there is no offence in reporting that serious search unveiled severe lack of past studies. In that case therefore, the research or study will be quite significant contributing to the untapped knowledge. The literature review should focus on recent studies more importantly those with high visibility or high prestige. In other words, priority should be accorded to resources which are published from high prestige outlets such as the highly ranked university presses like Oxford university. Even better are the sources that garner a lot of attention such as books in the best seller list. While gathering sources, one might notice that some authors are quite frequent in literature. In this regard, it is proper to respond to what they have said as they might have key and significant works (Galvan 2005). Another approach used in organizing the body of a literature review is the chronological method. This particularly useful in topic where changes are central to explaining the topic. Chronology could be on the basis of publication or the trends that have occurred in topic under review. An example of chronological review is: ‘A literature review is presented on the evolution of water pollution management and its impact on land pollution from 1900 to 2000 within a hypothesis of whether we could have done more, sooner. Stream pollution science in the context of the fundamental sanitary engineering concepts of reasonable use and assimilative capacity is examined in light of evolving regulatory frameworks from the early 1900s, when regulation and standards were mostly lacking, to the zero discharge goals and comprehensive federal command/control regulations of the late 20th century.’(Shrifin 2005) Thematic reviews are also common methods used to organize ideas within the body. They are mostly used when explaining key issues or theme relevant to the topic. An example is: A literature review of 28 relevant articles published between May 2000 and January 2006identified 12 categories of neighborhood characteristics affecting child and maternal health: physical conditions, deviant behavior, violence and crime, population composition, housing mobility, income/wealth, family structure and employment (Rajaratnama et al 2006). Researchers also use methodological approach to organize literature review and are commonly used when discussing interdisciplinary issues to an approach. It is also used when discussing a number of studies with different viewpoints. An example of methodological approach is shown below: ‘In dentistry, fluorescent imaging has been used for many applications revealing a variety of information about bonded restorations. This review evaluates the different methods used in this area with the intent of determining if standardized methodologies exist.’(D’Alpino et al 2006) The last component of the literature review is the conclusion which basically summarizes findings significant pieces of literature and relating them with the focus established in the introduction. The conclusion should also highlight major inconsistencies in the findings and theory, gaps in research and major methodological flaws. The conclusion should end by giving insight into the relationship between findings of the literature review and large areas of study such as a profession, endeavor or discipline. A literature review is a very important part of the research proposal or thesis. First, it refines the introductory part of the proposal which carries the objectives of the study (Chris and Shwegler 2000). In fact, the literature review attempts to answer objectives of the study based on what others have said in the past. Besides that, it defines the rationale for conducting the specific study, that is, why the research is important to the respective field or discipline. It gives the reader background of what themes pertinent to the topic under investigation and should show other researchers the contribution the research is expected to make in the field. Suikkala and Leino-Kilp (2001) assert that by identifying gaps or weaknesses of past researches, the literature review reveals the strength or weakness of the hypothesis and research question and thus areas that needs to be improved. Additionally, the researcher gains a deeper insight into key themes that should be investigated during the study based on the findings of main gaps. With the awareness of key themes, the researcher will also be in a position to determine the methodology to use for the research. References Chris, A. and Shwegler, R 2000, The Longman Handbook for writers and readers. New York: Longman. D’Alpino, P.H.P. et al 2006, Use of fluorescent compounds in assessing bonded resin-based restorations. A literature review Journal of Dentistry, 34 623-634. Fink, A 2005, Conducting Research Literature Reviews: From the Internet to Paper. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications. Galvan, L 2005, Writing Literature Reviews. Glendale: Pyrczak Publishing. Quitman, T 2002, Simons and Schuster Handbook for writers. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall. Rajaratnama, J.K., Burke, J.G. & O’Campo, P 2006, Maternal and child health and neighborhood context. The selection and construction of area-level variables. Health and Place, 12, 547-556. Shrifin, N 2005, Pollution Management in the Twentieth Century. Journal of Environmental Engineering, 131, 676-691. Suikkala A. and Leino-Kilp H 2001, Nursing student-patient relationship: a review of the literature from 1984-1998. Journal of Advanced Nursing 33 (1), 42-50. Taylor, D., & Procter, M 2001, The literature review: A few tips on conducting it. 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