Research Methodology

REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Dr. Azadeh Asgari

Review of the Literature

Educators review literature for various reasons Review of literature requires accessing, synthesizing, and reporting research findings that were retrieved from literature (theories, expert opinions on issues, descriptions of experimental programs, methods that individual practitioners found useful in their work, and other information of potential value to you) If the researchers have done a good review of the literature, they should be able to give the rationale for each of the hypotheses, questions, and/or objectives. The rationale should be made explicit.

Review of the Literature

Usual Problem = Not Lack Of Information, But Too Much Numerous directories listing hundreds of journals cited and non-cited Numerous publications = any communication that has been prepared for dissemination, whether in print, on microfiche, on the Internet, or possibly in other forms.

Review of the Literature

A systematic Process for Reviewing Research Literature:
1. Frame your information needs as a set of questions that will guide your literature search 2. Contact experts who can answer your questions directly or guide you to relevant publications (e.g. Listserv bulletin boards or discussion forums or organizations: AERA) 3. Read general secondary sources to obtain a broad overview of the research literature pertaining to your questions (Encyclopedia of Educational Research, International Encyclopedia of Education)

Review of the Literature

A systematic Process Research Literature: for Reviewing

4. Select preliminary sources that index the type of research literature relevant to your questions 5. Identify descriptors that reflect your information needs, and use these descriptors to search the preliminary sources for relevant publications 6. Read and evaluate primary sources (reports written by researcher/s) that are relevant to your questions

Review of the Literature

A systematic Process for Reviewing Research Literature: 7. Classify all the publications that you have
reviewed into meaningful categories 8. Prepare a report of the findings of your literature review 9. Develop conceptual framework of variables involved in the research