Writing Literature Reviews Research Plan Gale R. Mazur ✓ Solved

Writing Literature Reviews Research Plan Gale R. Mazur

This research plan includes (a) a statement of the research purpose for the literature review, (b) three specific research questions, (c) an outline that includes a statement of the need for the research and how the research questions will be answered, and (d) a preliminary list of references that will be used to write the literature review.

Research PurposeThe purpose of this research is to examine current research on writing literature reviews, and to model a well-written and comprehensive literature review.

Research QuestionsThe literature review will answer three research questions: 1. What is a literature review? 2. What is the purpose of writing a review of the literature? 3. What is the process of researching and writing a literature review?

Literature Review Outline

I. Need for This ResearchA. A frequent academic assignment is to write a literature review because examining, critically analyzing, and discussing published research is foundational to graduate-level work and important to professional success (Jesson & Lacey, 2006).B. Bitchener and Turner (2011) research found that providing graduate students with an understanding of the requirements of how to write literature reviews significantly enhanced students’ success in completing the assignment.

II. Research Question One: Literature Review DefinedA. A literature review is “a form of research that reviews, critiques, and synthesizes representative literature on a topic in an integrated way such that new frameworks and perspectives on the topic are generated” (Torraco, 2005, p. 356).B. As the writers of literature reviews begin to read sources (i.e. journal articles and books) about a topic, they must critically examine and analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the articles (Torraco, 2005).C. A literature review synthesizes and integrates the literature so that new insights and knowledge emerge (Torraco, 2005).

III. Research Question Two: Literature Review PurposeA. In academia, there are two reasons why a literature review is written; it is either a stand-alone assignment or the foundation for a thesis or dissertation (Creswell, 2009; Salkind, 2009).B. Beyond academic research, researching the literature is valuable to practitioners in all professions; it enables them to remain current in their fields, recognize new ideas, and find new solutions to complex problems (Rhoades, 2011; Zorn, 2006).

IV. Research Question Three: Literature Review ProcessA. The first step in writing a literature review is identifying a topic that fits with the writer’s interests and/or addresses a problem that needs solving (Timmons & McCabe, 2005).B. The writers of literature reviews need a thoughtful research strategy that includes a systematic approach to identifying and assessing relevant data (Armitage & Keeble-Allen, 2008).C. Researchers review and integrate different types of literature including theoretical, research, and experiential sources (Price, 2009).a. Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods are valid but different research methods (Creswell, 2009).b. Experiential data often comes from actual case studies (Zorn, 2006).D. A well-crafted literature review is organized, clearly written, and easily understood by readers (Torraco, 2005). A literature review begins with an introduction that explains the purpose and objectives; content is organized into clearly labeled themes; and the conclusion summarizes the findings of the literature review (Jesson & Lacey, 2006).

Preliminary ReferencesArmitage, A., & Keeble-Allen, D. (2008). Undertaking a structured literature review or structuring a literature review: Tales from the field. The Electronic Journal of Business Research Methods, 6(2), 103 – 114.Bitchener, J., & Turner, E. (2011). Assessing the effectiveness of one approach to teaching of thematic unit construction of literature reviews. Assessing Writing, 16, 123 – 136. doi: 10.1016/j.asw.2011.02.002Creswell, J. (2009). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.Galvan, J. (2009). Writing literature reviews (4th ed.). Glendale, CA: Pyrczak Publishing.Jesson, J., & Lacey, F. (2006). How to do (or not to do) a critical review. Pharmacy Education, 6(2), 139 – 148. doi: 10.1080/. Price, B. (2009). Guidance on conducting a literature search and reviewing mixed literature. Nursing Standard, 23(24), 43 – 49.Rhoades, E. (2011). Literature reviews. The Volta Review, 111(3), 353 – 368.Salkind, N. (2009). Exploring research (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.Smythe, E. & Spence, D. (2012). Reviewing literature in hermeneutic research. International Institute for Qualitative Methodology.Timmons, F., & McCabe, T. (2005). How to conduct an effective literature search. Nursing Standard, 20(11), 41 – 47.Torraco, R. (2005). Writing integrative literature reviews: Guidelines and examples. Human Resource Development Review, 4(3), 356 – 367. doi: 10.1177/Zorn, T. (2006). Improving the writing of literature review through a literature integration exercise. Business Communication Quarterly, 69(2), 172 – 183. doi: 10.1177/

Paper For Above Instructions

The necessity of writing a literature review is firmly rooted in both academic and professional contexts. A literature review serves as a comprehensive summary and synthesis of existing research on a specific topic. This document not only provides a foundational understanding but also critically evaluates the existing literature, offering insights into gaps that may warrant further investigation. To effectively write a literature review, one must grasp the fundamental elements: the definition of a literature review, its purpose, and the processes involved in its creation.

What is a Literature Review?A literature review can be defined as an organized, critical assessment of the existing body of knowledge on a specific topic. It involves the systematic collection, evaluation, and synthesis of literature to generate holistic perspectives about the subject at hand (Torraco, 2005). This process is not merely a summary; it analyzes the current state of research, identifying both strengths and weaknesses in the findings of various studies.

The Purpose of Writing a Literature ReviewThe primary purpose of writing a literature review is to contextualize a research problem, delineate the scope of existing research, and clarify the significance of the question being posed (Creswell, 2009). It serves as a foundation for further research, guiding scholars in crafting their studies. Additionally, literature reviews can function as standalone assignments that help students master critical analysis skills, essential for navigating complex scholarly landscapes (Rhoades, 2011).

In professional settings, literature reviews are invaluable as they allow practitioners to keep abreast of developments and trends in their fields. This engagement with existing literature can lead to clearer understanding, enabling professionals to adopt new techniques or recognize when certain approaches have failed (Zorn, 2006). This proactive approach to literature not only enhances the quality of work produced but fosters a culture of continuous learning and adaptation.

The Process of Researching and Writing a Literature ReviewThe process of writing a literature review commences with the selection of a relevant topic. Writers should ensure that the topic aligns with their academic or professional interests (Timmons & McCabe, 2005). Following topic selection, writers must develop a robust research strategy. This strategy should involve systematic approaches to identify, evaluate, and synthesize applicable literature (Armitage & Keeble-Allen, 2008).

After establishing a coherent strategy, researchers can delve into different types of literature, including theoretical and empirical sources. Quantitative and qualitative studies provide unique insights, while experiential data from case studies enriches the analysis (Price, 2009). The integration of these various strands fosters a comprehensive view of the subject matter.

An effective literature review is meticulously organized and clearly written. It begins with an introduction that articulates the purpose and objectives of the review, followed by thematic organization of content, and concludes with a summary of findings (Jesson & Lacey, 2006). Each element should be coherent and contribute to the overall narrative, highlighting how the contributions of existing literature inform the research questions posed.

Ultimately, mastering the art of writing literature reviews is a pivotal skill for both academic and professional avenues. This foundational task not only enhances critical thinking but enriches the broader research community. As scholars and practitioners engage with the existing body of work, they contribute to the iterative nature of knowledge production.

References

  • Armitage, A., & Keeble-Allen, D. (2008). Undertaking a structured literature review or structuring a literature review: Tales from the field. The Electronic Journal of Business Research Methods, 6(2), 103 – 114.
  • Bitchener, J., & Turner, E. (2011). Assessing the effectiveness of one approach to teaching of thematic unit construction of literature reviews. Assessing Writing, 16, 123 – 136. doi: 10.1016/j.asw.2011.02.002
  • Creswell, J. (2009). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
  • Galvan, J. (2009). Writing literature reviews (4th ed.). Glendale, CA: Pyrczak Publishing.
  • Jesson, J., & Lacey, F. (2006). How to do (or not to do) a critical review. Pharmacy Education, 6(2), 139 – 148. doi: 10.1080/.
  • Price, B. (2009). Guidance on conducting a literature search and reviewing mixed literature. Nursing Standard, 23(24), 43 – 49.
  • Rhoades, E. (2011). Literature reviews. The Volta Review, 111(3), 353 – 368.
  • Salkind, N. (2009). Exploring research (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
  • Smythe, E. & Spence, D. (2012). Reviewing literature in hermeneutic research. International Institute for Qualitative Methodology.
  • Timmons, F., & McCabe, T. (2005). How to conduct an effective literature search. Nursing Standard, 20(11), 41 – 47.
  • Torraco, R. (2005). Writing integrative literature reviews: Guidelines and examples. Human Resource Development Review, 4(3), 356 – 367. doi: 10.1177/
  • Zorn, T. (2006). Improving the writing of literature review through a literature integration exercise. Business Communication Quarterly, 69(2), 172 – 183. doi: 10.1177/

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