The literature review is not merely a simple compilation or a list of every item and resource with any possible relation to your topic. A good literature review is a critical appraisal of narrowly focused, selected and truly relevant work that provides the current status (perspective) of the topic. This presentation basically is a brief guide on the process of doing and writing a literature review for a thesis, research proposal, research paper, etc.

1. Abd Karim Alias@2010

2. NOTE: A slightly different version of this
presentation can be viewed on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VxPBhGW2BI

3. The importance of literature review
Strategies in doing a literature review
Managing the literature
Deciphering (making sense) of the literature
Putting together the literature
Discussion and conclusion

4. Abd Karim Alias@2010

5. Define research problem
Review the literature
Formulate hypothesis
Design research
Collect data
Analyse data
Interpret & report
Abd Karim Alias@2010

6. Background reading for your own learning using a broad
EXPLORING A TOPIC
array of materials.
Need more in-depth engagement in research literature so that
DEVELOPING A RESEARCH QUESTION questions relevant and significant to the field can be developed.
Background/contextual readings that put the significance of the
ARTICULATE A RATIONALE
research in a broader perspective.
Reading of contemporary and/or classic theory – may be directly
INFORMING YOUR STUDY WITH THEORY
related to the topic or may guide your thinking/approach.
A review of past studies can inform your choice of method.
DESIGNING METHOD Background reading to specific methods may also be necessary
for your own learning.
Need for thorough & critical review of the research studies that
WRITING A LITERATURE REVIEW have been conducted on this and similar topics (typically journal
based).
Abd Karim Alias@2010

7. Don‟t reinvent the wheel…
Implication of incomplete literature review!
Abd Karim Alias@2010

8. Don‟t do “more of the same”…
Implication of incomplete literature review!
Abd Karim Alias@2010

9. Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

10. Before starting your research, ask the
following 3 questions:
The questions I wish to answer
are worthy of research?
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

11. Before starting your research, ask the
following questions:
Do I know my stuff
sufficiently?
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

12. Before starting your research, ask the
following questions:
The methodology I chose is the
best ‘doable’ way of getting the
answers to the questions?
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

13. What is literature?
‘…a collection of all the scholarly
writings on a topic.’
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

14. What is literature review?
Study 1
ORIGINAL
WORK
ORIGINAL
WORK Study
10 Study 2
Study X
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

15. What is literature review?
Study 1
ORIGINAL
Your own idea will connect to the developing
WORK
ORIGINAL
WORK
knowledge network in the field
Study
10 Study 2
Study X
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

16. What is literature review?
‘…a systematic…method for
identifying, evaluating and interpreting
the…work produced by researchers,
scholars and practitioners.’
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

17. What is literature review?
Literature is about telling a
story…kind of a chain story where
each writer starts with a partial story
created previously by others and
expand on it…the existing literature is
the story so far…
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

18. What is literature review?
Literature review is…
„an interpretation and synthesis
of published work‟
- Merriam (1988:6)
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

19. What is literature review?
READ PUBLISHED WORK INTERPRETATION SYNTHESIS
Explain the significance &
Study a wide range of print- Creation of an “integrated
interpret the evidence
and web-based materials. whole” – Coherent
presented in each piece of
argument of the study that
literature – not simply
you are doing.
listing what others have
written.
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

20. The importance of literature review
‘I not only use all the brains that I have,
but all that I can borrow.’
- Woodrow Wilson
Research may be done alone – but it is
never done in isolation. The production of
new knowledge is fundamentally
dependent on past knowledge.
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

21. Four main reasons for reviewing the lit:
Focuses on previous
research -- Provide an
overview and critical
appraisal of past & current
thinking, ideas, policies and
practices.
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

22. Four main reasons for reviewing the lit:
Shows how your study fills
the “gap’ -- Provide a basis
upon which to make critical
decisions regarding the
directions of a research.
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

23. Four main reasons for reviewing the lit:
The necessity and rationale of your
study – Does it make sense? Why
it is important? How it is
different? How it is novel? Is it
justifiable?
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

24. Four main reasons for reviewing the lit:
Set boundaries of your
study – determine the
scope & specific
objectives (not the sky
is the limit!).
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

25. Beyond the scope of my research!
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

26. Four main reasons for reviewing the lit:
1. Focuses on previous research
2. Shows how your study fills the “gap’
3. The necessity and rationale of your study
4. Set boundaries of your study
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

27. Other reasons for reviewing the lit:
 Distinguishing what has been done from
what needs to be done
 Synthesizing and gaining a new perspective
 Identifying relationships between ideas &
practice
 Establishing the context of the topic/problem
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

28. Other reasons for reviewing the lit:
 Enhancing & acquiring the subject
vocabulary
 Relating ideas & theory to applications
 Increase understanding of theoretical
background
 Identifying the main methodologies &
research techniques that have been used
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

29. Other reasons for reviewing the lit:
Any other roles or uses for
literature review that you have
identified?
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

30. Other reasons for reviewing the lit:
 It will give you idea
 It may cause you to change your mind!
 Develop/improve skill to source material
 Develop skill to summarize & synthesize
information
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

31. Generate your
OWN IDEA!
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

32. Types of literature review
Part of larger work
Introduction to journal article Thesis/dissertation
Selective Comprehensive
Course assignment
Review article
Standalone work
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

33. Types of literature review
 Course assignment
 Research proposal
 Research paper
 Review article
 Dissertation/thesis
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

34. WORKING WITH THE LITERATURE
FIND IT! MANAGE IT! USE IT! REVIEW IT!
Knowing the Reading Choosing your Understand the
literature types efficiently Research topic Purpose of lit. rev
Using available Keeping track of Developing your Ensuring adequate
resources references question coverage
Honing your Writing relevant Arguing your Write
search skills annotations rationale purposefully
Designing Working on
method style and tone
Abd Karim Alias@2010

35. Planning for literature search
Define the topic General reading; prepare a list of terms.
Think about the scope What is the time frame of search (how
far back?)
Think about the outcomes What it is you want to get out of the
search?
Think about the management How are you going to manage the
search results?
Plan sources to be searched The list and sequence of sources to be
searched
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

36. Other questions to ask…
What is known
about the broad
topic I am
researching, and
from what types of
literature?
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

37. Other questions to ask…
What are the most
important ‘landmark’
works within the
field, referred to
regularly in other
studies?
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

38. Other questions to ask…
What methods and
methodologies are
being used to
research the area I
am interested in?
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

39. Other questions to ask…
What theoretical
and conceptual
frameworks are
being used to
understand the field?
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

40. Other questions to ask
• What is known about the broad topic I am
researching, and from what types of literature?
• What are the most important ‘landmark’ works within
the field, referred to regularly in other studies?
• What methods and methodologies are being used to
research the area I am interested in?
• What theoretical and conceptual frameworks are being
used to understand the field?
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

41. Approach to doing a literature review
It is impossible to read all the research ever
published in your area…
The key is…be selective in
what you read – or else
you’ll get drown in too much
information!
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

42. See the wood for the trees…
Filtering & sorting the essentials from the irrelevant…
42
Image source: http:// sciencebhakta.wordpress.com Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

43. Doctor of photocopying…
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

44. The range of literature to explore
• Background material which is of broadly
relevance to your study
• Literature and research studies which address
issues that are closely related to your study
• Literature which is directly related to your
study
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

45. Searching & reading strategy
Field specific papers
More specific, Less specific,
more recent less recent
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

46. Literature sources
Sources & organizations
providing publications
Academic libraries
Public libraries
National libraries
Museums
Archives
Special collections
Commercial organizations
Commercial databases (SCOPUS,
Web of knowledge, Springerlink)
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

47. Literature sources
Tools for searching published
works & data
Library catalogues
Subject indexes
Subject abstracts
Bibliographies
Encyclopedia
Internet directories
Internet search engines
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

48. Literature sources
Sources where research &
information is published
Textbooks
Articles
Theses
Government publications
Legal & professional publications
Trade literature
Conference papers
Monographs
Statistics
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

49. Managing the literature
Organizing information
Summarize, tabulate
Use bibliographic software
(Endnote)
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

50. Analyzing & “digesting‟ the literature
Analyzing information
Note taking
Summarizing the key findings
Extracting critical facts/arguments
Examine evidence
Understand interpretation
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

51. Reading critically & analytically
Things to extract from each piece of reading material
Definitions Concepts Justification
Problem Arguments Ways of thinking
Theory Standpoint Events
Hypothesis Evidence Motives
Techniques Perspective Politics
Interpretations Styles Conclusions
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

52. Skills for “digesting” the literature
Select, differentiate,
ANALYSIS Dissecting data into their constituent part.
break up
Integrate, combine, Rearranging the elements derived
SYNTHESIS from analysis to identify relationship.
formulate, reorganize
Interpreting & distinguishing between
Understand, distinguish, different types of data , theory &
COMPREHENSION
explain argument to describe the substance of
an idea
Describing the principles, uses, &
KNOWLEDGE Define, classify, describe function of rules, method, etc.
Adapted from Hart, 1998
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

53. Critical analysis checklist
• What is the main idea being put forward?
• What points develop the idea?
• What evidence is provided?
• Do you agree with the conclusions?
• Is it a response to another work?
• Underlying theory or assumption?
• Model?
• Strengths/weaknesses/limitations?
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

54. Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

55. Reviewing the literature vs „The literature review‟
Reasons for reviewing the Purposes of the ‘literature
literature review’
• Informing yourself of what is • Informing your audience of
happening in the field what is happening in the field
• Gaining a level of topical & • Establishing your credibility as a
methodological knowledge & knowledgeable & capable
expertise researcher
• Finding potential gaps in the • Arguing the relevance & the
literature that may point to significance of your research
potential research questions questions
Adapted from O’Leary, The Essential Guide to Doing Research
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

56. Reviewing the literature vs „The literature review‟
Reasons for reviewing the Purposes of the ‘literature
literature review’
• Critically evaluating • Providing the context for your
common/typical methods own methodological approach
• Facilitating the development of • Arguing the relevance &
your own methodological appropriateness of your
approaches approach
Adapted from O’Leary, The Essential Guide to Doing Research
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

57. Writing the literature review
Study 1
ORIGINAL
WORK
ORIGINAL
WORK Study
10 Study 2
Study X
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

58. Any critical review should incorporate…
 An assessment of the strengths & weaknesses
of some of the theories
 A clear understanding of the topic
 A citing of all key studies in the subject
territory
 A clear indication of how the review links to
your research questions
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

59. Any critical review should incorporate…
 A definition of the boundaries of your
research
 A selection & synthesis of existing arguments
to form a new perspective
 Through gradual refinement, a clear
demarcation of the research problem
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

60. Scope & length of lit. review…
 Be selective
 State the current state of the theory
 How far back?(Master‟s ~10 years; PhD –
further back)
 Avoid verbosity
 Demonstrate ability to synthesise the body of
literature – brief but focused.
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

61. Components of lit. review…
 Background information
• Introduce topic
• Describe scope & organization
• Review past & present literature
• Clarify purpose
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

62. Components of lit. review…
 Theory
• All research has a precedent
• Integrate key points & make appropriate
inferences
• Be aware of relationship to your topic
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]

63. Components of lit. review…
 Critical appraisal/synthesis
• Not jus a list of the work of others
• Identify issues highlighted
• Highlight differences & similarities
• Identify consensus
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]