Vitalis Iwuchukwu

LITERATURE REVIEW IN REPORT WRITING By Iwuchukwu Vitalis C. SLIDE CONTENT Introduction Purpose Objectives Steps Types of Literature Review Literature Review INTRODUCTION The literature review is a written overview of major writings and other sources on a selected topic. The literature review provides a description, summary and evaluation of each source. It is usually presented as a distinct section of a graduate project report, thesis or dissertation at Ph.D level, or any other research report. 3 WHAT CAN A LITERATURE REVIEW DO     define a concept map the research terrain or scope systemize relationships between concepts identify gaps in the literature Literature Review PURPOSE OF LITERATURE REVIEW 1. survey the current state of knowledge or evidence in the area of inquiry 2. identify key authors, articles, theories, and findings in that area, 3. identify gaps in knowledge in that research area 5 6 THE MOST IMPORTANT REASON FOR DOING RESEARCH IS TO PRODUCE NEW KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING, AND TO DISSEMINATE IT TO MAKE IT AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE. WHEN PLANNING A RESEARCH PROJECT, IT IS ESSENTIAL TO KNOW WHAT THE CURRENT STATE OF KNOWLEDGE IS IN YOUR CHOSEN SUBJECT AS IT IS OBVIOUSLY A WASTE OF TIME TO SPEND MONTHS PRODUCING KNOWLEDGE THAT IS ALREADY FREELY AVAILABLE . (Walliman N., 2011) OBJECTIVES OF LITERATURE REVIEW Literature Review FAMILIARITY SUMMARY INTEGRATION demonstrates a familiarity with a body of knowledge and establishes the credibility of your work summarises prior research and says how your project is linked to it integrates and summarises what is known about a subject area DEMONSTRATION demonstrates what has been learnt from others and that the research contributes to the starting point for new ideas 7 STEPS IN REVIEWING LITERATURES 8 STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5 Introduce the topic Establish the Provide an overview of the amount of available literature and its types Identify gaps in the literature Point out consistent and define its key terms importance of the topic finding across studies 9 STEPS CONT’ STEP 6 STEP 7 Arrive at a synthesis that Discusses possible about a topic directions for future organizes what is known implications and research PREPARING FOR A REVIEW DEFINE SCOPE Define your subject and the scope of the review • • READ AND EVALUATE Read and evaluate the sources and to determine their suitability to the understanding of topic at hand 10 PROPER SEARCH • Search the library catalogue, subject specific databases and other search tools to find sources that are relevant to your topic ANALYSE AND INTERPRET • Analyse, interpret and discuss the findings and conclusions of the sources you selected Literature Review TYPES OF LITERATURE REVIEWS CONCEPTUAL Reviews • Key concepts • Key factors • Key variables • Methodologies • Relationship between the variables EMPIRICAL • • • • Collects Creates Arranges Analyses numeric or quantifiable data using descriptive and statistics EXPLORATORY/THEORETICAL • • • Analyses the breadth of the research Explores what has been done by previous researchers Establishes the research gap Other types include scoping, focused, meta-analysis, narrative, etc. 11 SUMMARY Literature Review As a foundation for knowledge advancement in every discipline, it is an important element of any research project. At the graduate or postgraduate level, the literature review is an essential feature of thesis and dissertation, as well as grant proposal writing. It is by this means, that a researcher demonstrates familiarity with a body of knowledge and thereby establishes credibility with a reader. An advanced-level literature review shows how prior research is linked to a new project, summarizing and synthesizing what is known while identifying gaps in the knowledge base, facilitating theory development, closing areas where enough research already exists, and uncovering areas where more research is needed. 12 THANK YOU Iwuchukwu Vitalis C. -