by Kousar Taj

A Seminar Paper

on

LITERATURE REVIEW

Definition of a Literature Review•A literature review

surveys scholarly articles, books and other sources (e.g. dissertations, conference proceedings) relevant to a particular issue, area of research, or theory.

provides a short description and critical evaluation of work critical to the topic.

offers an overview of significant literature published on a topic.

cont…

• It is a process of gathering

information from other

sources and documenting it.

• Precursor in the introduction of a

research paper.

• It can be an entire paper in itself.

• Critical and in depth evaluation of

previous

research.

• Summary and synopsis of a

particular area of

research.

• Expands upon the reasons behind

selecting a

particular research question.

cont…

What is a Literature Review?

 

• Begin research in an academic

library.

• Journals found in academic library

can be

regarded as safe and credible.

• Use the Internet

• Structure the Internet research.

• Bookmark papers, in one folder

and make

another subfolder for a ‘short

list’. cont…

Conducting a Literature Review

cont…

• Scanning the work, using the

abstract and

introduction as guides.

• Critically evaluate the paper and

decide if

the research is sufficient quality.

• Check into the credentials of any

source.

• Look for agreements.

Perform a preliminary search of the literature.

Search literature to see what other work in the area of interest has already been published. − Gives a preview of the number of articles

available on the topic.− If your topic is already written about,

select a slightly different topic or modify the focus of the objective.

Recent journal issues in areas central to the topic may provide leads to content that should be in the review. − Consult Web of Science’s Journal Citation

Index for an idea of the most important journals in the field

Develop a list of subject headings that relate to themes of interest cont…

Literature Search

Search across multiple databases and information resources. − It’s not adequate to use Medline as your

one and only resource

Read the literature throughout the search process. − What you read will guide your subsequent

searches and refine your topic.

Your search should help refine the topic and objective of the overview being written.

cont…

Read the Material CloserStep 1: Read the abstract Decide whether to read the article in detail

Step 2: Read introduction It explains why the study is important It provides review and evaluation of relevant

literature

Step 3: Read Method with a close, critical eye

Focus on participants, measures, procedures

Step 4: Evaluate results Do the conclusions seem logical Can you detect any bias on the part of the

researcher?

Step 5: Take discussion with a grain of salt

Edges are smoothed out Pay attention to limitations

cont…

Quality of published work

• Look critically at any published work.

• The fact that something has been published does not mean the findings are automatically trust worthy.

• Most trust worthy conclusions are those reached in double blind randomized controlled trials with a representative sample of sufficient size to detect the smallest worthwhile effects.

cont…

• Weakest findings are those from case studies.

• How subjects were sampled is an important issue.

• Look at the key original papers cited in any earlier reviews.

• Judge yourself whether the conclusions of the reviews are justified.

cont…

• A general organization looks like a funnel

•Broader topics•Subtopics•Studies like yours

cont…

Organization of literature review

Introduction to the lit review Content - what is covered Structure - how it is organized Boundaries - what is outside of its scope

SECTION 1 The most important topic or a key concept discussed and evaluated summarized and related to your research project ConclusionFrom each of the section summaries, highlight the most relevant points relate these back to the need for research reiterate what these mean for the research design cont…

Organization of literature review

• Avoid technical terms.

• Avoid abbreviations.

• Use simple sentences.

• Avoid common errors of punctuation

and

grammer.

• Use the first person (I, we) rather than

the

passive voice.

• Link your ideas into a sensible

sequence without

repetitions or discontinuities.

• Get feedback on your article form

colleagues. cont…

How to write a Literature Review

Check List.

Check these before you submit your review.

• The Summary is no longer than 300 words(including subheading words).• The Summary includes real data and magnitudes of effects.• The content of each section is appropriate to the section.• Perform a spelling check in the language appropriate for the journal.• References are in the style required by the journal.

Cont…

Example :

Keywords: Use of BIBLIOMETRICS, SCIENTOMETRICS, INFORMETRICS In LIS Research   The authors have made a comparative analysis of research hot-spots in medical information in China in different periods of time using the co-words cluster analysis method of high frequency key words with the key words of papers published in Journal of Medical Informatics and Chinese Journal of Medical Library and Information Science. Results show that the research hot-spots were medical information service, medical library service, medical journal and literature retrieval before 1990, assessment of literature novelty and medical literature retrieval with medical information service weakened in 1991-2000, and networking, digitalization, quantification and personalization with insufficient research in medical information theories and methods from 2001 which should be strengthened.

Bibliographical references

Li, Xiao-tao., Liu, Yan., Liu, Ya-min & Du, Hua-rong. (2011). Research Heat-Spots Published in Different Periods of Time of the Two Major Medical Library and Information Science Journals of China: A Comparative Analysis. The Journal of Academic Librarianship 20(1), 10 – 14. Retrieved from http://search.proquest. com/docview/870996217?accountid=27563