INTERNATIONAL STUDIES 102INTERNATIONAL STUDIES 102

Introduction to Political AnalysisIntroduction to Political Analysis

Writing the Review of Related Writing the Review of Related Literature (RRL)Literature (RRL)

Session ObjectivesSession Objectives

At the end of the session, we should be At the end of the session, we should be able to:able to:

discuss the meaning of review of discuss the meaning of review of related literature (RRL) and how it can related literature (RRL) and how it can be used to justify a research topic;be used to justify a research topic;

describe the format for arranging the describe the format for arranging the RRL; andRRL; and

analyze the process of writing the RRL. analyze the process of writing the RRL.

OutlineOutline What is a review of related literature (RRL)?What is a review of related literature (RRL)? Can anyone do an RRL?Can anyone do an RRL? Why write an RRL?Why write an RRL? Why is the RRL important in research?Why is the RRL important in research? What are the questions that an RRL should answer?What are the questions that an RRL should answer? What are the stages in doing a literature search?What are the stages in doing a literature search? What are the different parts of the RRL?What are the different parts of the RRL? How does one assess the quality of an RRL?How does one assess the quality of an RRL? What are the dos and don’ts in writing an RRL?What are the dos and don’ts in writing an RRL? What are the issues and problems in the RRL topic you What are the issues and problems in the RRL topic you

submitted? submitted?

““Many reviews, in fact, are only thinly Many reviews, in fact, are only thinly disguised annotated bibliographies. disguised annotated bibliographies. Quality means appropriate breadth and Quality means appropriate breadth and depth, rigour and consistency, clarity and depth, rigour and consistency, clarity and brevity, and effective analysis and brevity, and effective analysis and synthesis; in other words, the use of ideas synthesis; in other words, the use of ideas in the literature to justify the particular in the literature to justify the particular approach to the topic, the selection of approach to the topic, the selection of methods, and demonstration that this methods, and demonstration that this research contributes something new.”research contributes something new.”

Chris HartChris Hart

Doing a Literature Review

(1998)

What is a Review of Related What is a Review of Related Literature (RRL)?Literature (RRL)?

the the selectionselection of available documents of available documents (both published and unpublished) on the (both published and unpublished) on the topic which contain information, ideas, topic which contain information, ideas, data and evidence written from a data and evidence written from a particular standpoint to fulfill certain particular standpoint to fulfill certain aims or express certain views on the aims or express certain views on the nature of the topic and how it is to be nature of the topic and how it is to be investigated, and the effective investigated, and the effective evaluationevaluation of these documents in of these documents in relation to the research being proposedrelation to the research being proposed

What is an RRL?...What is an RRL?...

Two Elements: Knowledge-Based and Two Elements: Knowledge-Based and ArgumentationalArgumentational

Knowledge-based elements:Knowledge-based elements:1. a description of previous work on the 1. a description of previous work on the topic, identifying leading concepts, definitions topic, identifying leading concepts, definitions and theories;and theories;2. consideration of the ways in which 2. consideration of the ways in which definitions were developed and definitions were developed and operationalized as solutions to problems seen operationalized as solutions to problems seen in previous work; andin previous work; and3. identification and description of matters 3. identification and description of matters other researchers have considered important.other researchers have considered important.

What is an RRL?...What is an RRL?...

Argumentational elements:Argumentational elements:

1. a description of what you find wrong in 1. a description of what you find wrong in previous work on the topic;previous work on the topic;

2. a proposal for action that might solve 2. a proposal for action that might solve the problem – your research;the problem – your research;

3. an explanation of the benefits that 3. an explanation of the benefits that might result from adopting the proposal; might result from adopting the proposal; andand

4. a refutation of possible objections to 4. a refutation of possible objections to the proposal.the proposal.

Can anyone do an RRL?Can anyone do an RRL? Yes, but that capability has to be acquiredYes, but that capability has to be acquired Research imagination – having a broad Research imagination – having a broad

view of the topic; being open to ideas; view of the topic; being open to ideas; questioning ideas, methods and questioning ideas, methods and arguments; playing with different ideas to arguments; playing with different ideas to see if links can be made; following ideas to see if links can be made; following ideas to see where they might lead; being scholarly see where they might lead; being scholarly

3Cs in (RRL) Writing3Cs in (RRL) Writing1. Clear 1. Clear 2. Consistent 2. Consistent 3. Coherent3. Coherent

Why write an RRL?Why write an RRL? It ensures the researchability of your topicIt ensures the researchability of your topic It contributes to the development of your It contributes to the development of your

intellectual capacity and practical skillsintellectual capacity and practical skills

““A large degree of satisfaction can be A large degree of satisfaction can be had had from working at the review over a from working at the review over a period of period of time… A large measure of that time… A large measure of that satisfaction satisfaction comes from the awareness comes from the awareness that you have that you have developed skills and developed skills and acquired intellectual acquired intellectual abilities that you abilities that you did not have before you did not have before you begin your begin your research.”research.”

Why is the RRL important in Why is the RRL important in research?research?

Distinguishing what has been done Distinguishing what has been done from what needs to be donefrom what needs to be done

Discovering important variables Discovering important variables related to the topicrelated to the topic

Synthesizing and gaining a new Synthesizing and gaining a new perspectiveperspective

Identifying relationships between Identifying relationships between ideas and practiceideas and practice

Establishing the context of the topic Establishing the context of the topic or problemor problem

Why is the RRL important…Why is the RRL important…

Enhancing and acquiring the subject Enhancing and acquiring the subject vocabularyvocabulary

Understanding the structure of the Understanding the structure of the subjectsubject

Identifying the main methodologies Identifying the main methodologies and research techniques that have and research techniques that have been usedbeen used

Establishing the significance of one’s Establishing the significance of one’s researchresearch

What are the questions that an What are the questions that an RRL should answer?RRL should answer?

What are the origins and definitions of the What are the origins and definitions of the topic?topic?

How is knowledge on the topic structured and How is knowledge on the topic structured and organized?organized?

What are the key sources?What are the key sources? What are the key theories, concepts and ideas?What are the key theories, concepts and ideas? What are the major issues and debates about What are the major issues and debates about

the topic?the topic? What are the main questions and problems that What are the main questions and problems that

have been addressed to date?have been addressed to date?

What are the stages in doing a What are the stages in doing a literature search?literature search?

Choose a topicChoose a topic Do a background information, ideas Do a background information, ideas

search and mapping of the topicsearch and mapping of the topic Focus topic and analyze information Focus topic and analyze information

needsneeds Do a detailed search of sourcesDo a detailed search of sources Construct initial bibliographiesConstruct initial bibliographies Search for secondary evaluations of the Search for secondary evaluations of the

literatureliterature

What are the different parts of What are the different parts of the RRL?the RRL?

1.1. AbstractAbstract Summary of the RRLSummary of the RRL

2.2. IntroductionIntroduction Show as briefly as possible that you have Show as briefly as possible that you have

understood the topic or problem understood the topic or problem suggested in the title.suggested in the title.

It includes a brief description of the topic It includes a brief description of the topic or problem, its significance, the or problem, its significance, the objectives of the research, the main objectives of the research, the main argument, and structure of the review.argument, and structure of the review.

What are the different parts…What are the different parts…

3.3. BodyBody Depending on the subject matter, you should Depending on the subject matter, you should

order your points so that there is a reasoned order your points so that there is a reasoned argument and a smooth sequence.argument and a smooth sequence.

Link your paragraphs with topic sentences. Link your paragraphs with topic sentences. Provide transition sentences and/or subtitles Provide transition sentences and/or subtitles

between sections and between paragraphs.between sections and between paragraphs. Show why the information you are giving is Show why the information you are giving is

relevant and significant. Exclude the trivial.relevant and significant. Exclude the trivial.

4.4. ConclusionConclusion This sums up the review and presents a This sums up the review and presents a

summary the research gaps and possible summary the research gaps and possible research agenda in the future.research agenda in the future.

How does one assess the quality How does one assess the quality of an RRL?of an RRL?

shows a clear understanding of the topicshows a clear understanding of the topic all key landmark studies have been cited and all key landmark studies have been cited and

most discussed;most discussed; Develops, through gradual refinement, a clear Develops, through gradual refinement, a clear

research problem;research problem; States clear conclusions about previous research States clear conclusions about previous research

using appropriate evidence;using appropriate evidence; Shows the variety of definitions and approaches Shows the variety of definitions and approaches

to the topic area;to the topic area; Reaches sound recommendations using coherent Reaches sound recommendations using coherent

argument that is based on evidence; andargument that is based on evidence; and Shows a gap in existing knowledge.Shows a gap in existing knowledge.

What are the dos and don’ts in What are the dos and don’ts in writing the RRLwriting the RRL

Do…Do…1. identify and discuss key landmark 1. identify and discuss key landmark studies on the topicstudies on the topic2. include as much up-to-date material as 2. include as much up-to-date material as possiblepossible3. check the details, such as how names 3. check the details, such as how names are spelledare spelled4. try to be reflexive; examine your own 4. try to be reflexive; examine your own bias and make it clearbias and make it clear5. critically evaluate the material and 5. critically evaluate the material and show your analysesshow your analyses

What are the dos and don’ts…What are the dos and don’ts…

6. use extracts, illustrations and examples 6. use extracts, illustrations and examples to justify your analyses and argument;to justify your analyses and argument;

7. be analytical, evaluative and critical7. be analytical, evaluative and critical

8. manage the information that your 8. manage the information that your review produces; have a system for review produces; have a system for records managementrecords management

9. make your review worth reading by 9. make your review worth reading by making yourself clear, systematic and making yourself clear, systematic and coherent; explain why the topic is coherent; explain why the topic is interestinginteresting

What are the dos and don’ts…What are the dos and don’ts… Don’tDon’t

1. omit classic works and landmarks or 1. omit classic works and landmarks or discuss core ideas without proper referencediscuss core ideas without proper reference2. discuss outdated or any old materials2. discuss outdated or any old materials3. limit materials to those which can be 3. limit materials to those which can be found online; use the libraryfound online; use the library4. misspell names or get date of publication 4. misspell names or get date of publication wrongwrong5. use concepts to impress or without 5. use concepts to impress or without definitiondefinition6. use jargon and discriminatory language to 6. use jargon and discriminatory language to justify a parochial standpointjustify a parochial standpoint

What are the dos and don’ts…What are the dos and don’ts…

7. Produce a list of items, even if annotated; a 7. Produce a list of items, even if annotated; a list is not a reviewlist is not a review

8. Accept any position at face value or believe 8. Accept any position at face value or believe everything that is writteneverything that is written

9. Only produce a description of the content of 9. Only produce a description of the content of what you have readwhat you have read

10. Drown in information by not keeping 10. Drown in information by not keeping control and an accurate record of materialscontrol and an accurate record of materials

11. Commit plagiarism and grammatical errors11. Commit plagiarism and grammatical errors12. Be boring by using jargon, pretentious 12. Be boring by using jargon, pretentious

languagelanguage