Writing A Literature Review When Writing A Lit Review You Ne

Writing A Literature Review When Writing A Lit Rev You Need To

Writing a Literature Review ... When writing a Lit Rev, you need to understand its functions , i.e. a Lit Rev - helps to justify the research topic and questions you have chosen - helps to ascertain the importance of the topic - provides background information relevant to your study - demonstrates that you are familiar with the research topic - ideally sets your research as part of the chain of research in the field - is selective in which literature to include – according to its relevance to the research questions - should adopt the funnel approach of starting out wide and narrowing quickly towards the specific research questions Sources that make up the ‘literature’ under review include: • journal articles • monographs • computerized databases • conferences proceedings • empirical studies • government reports and reports from other bodies • statistical handbooks. Questions that should guide your Lit Rev are: • What has been done in your field of research? • How are you going to order your discussion? Chronological, thematic, conceptual, methodological, or a combination? • What section headings will you use? • How do the various studies relate to each other? What precise contribution do they make to the field? What are their limitations? • How does your own research fit into what has already been done?

Paper For Above instruction

A literature review is a fundamental component of any scholarly research, serving multiple vital functions that underpin the development and validation of a research project. When undertaking a literature review, the primary goal is to contextualize the research within the existing body of knowledge, providing both a justification and a foundation for the new inquiry. This process involves a comprehensive survey of scholarly sources, including journal articles, monographs, conference proceedings, empirical studies, government reports, and statistical handbooks, which collectively inform the researcher about what has already been explored and identified in the field.

One of the central functions of a literature review is to justify the research topic and questions. By critically examining what has been studied, the researcher can identify gaps and articulate the necessity of the current study. Furthermore, a literature review helps establish the importance of the topic, demonstrating its relevance and urgency within the academic community and society at large. It provides a background that is tailored to the specific research, ensuring that the study is grounded in what is already known and what remains to be explored.

Another crucial purpose of the literature review is to exhibit the researcher’s familiarity with the field. This familiarity is essential for establishing credibility and demonstrating that the researcher is well-versed with foundational theories, prevailing methodologies, and current debates. It also serves to showcase how the new research integrates into the ongoing scientific dialogue, fostering a sense of continuity and progression in the field.

Structurally, an effective literature review should adopt a logical organization that can follow a variety of patterns, such as chronological, thematic, conceptual, or methodological, or a combination of these. The choice of structure depends on the nature of the research and the specific questions being addressed. An organized review with clear section headings makes it easier for readers to follow the development of ideas and to understand the relationships among different studies.

Critical analysis is an integral part of the literature review process. Researchers should evaluate how individual studies contribute to the field, recognizing both their strengths and limitations. This analysis not only underscores the scholarly conversation but also identifies areas where further research is needed or where existing approaches could be improved.

Finally, a well-crafted literature review should culminate by connecting the reviewed literature to the researcher’s own study. This connection illustrates how the current research fits within the broader scholarly context, emphasizing its contribution, relevance, and potential to advance knowledge.

References

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