Review of the Literature

and The Use of Theory

ACRES 3255
 CONTENTS
The Selection of a Research Design

Review of the Literature

The Use of Theory

Writing Strategies and Ethical Considerations

 II.
Review of the Literature
 Purposes of Literature Review

 Shares with the readers the results of other studies

that are closely related to the one being undertaken

 Relates a study to the larger, ongoing dialogue in the

literature, filling in gaps and extending prior studies

 Provides a framework for establishing the

importance of the study as well as a benchmark for
comparing the results with other findings
 Examples of Suitable Strategy
Use of the Literature Criteria
Types
The literature is used to frame Typically, literature is used in all
There must be some
the problem in the introduction qualitative studies, regardless of
literature available.
to the study. type.
This approach is often This approach is used with those
acceptable to an audience studies employing a strong theory
The literature is presented in a
most familiar with the and literature background at the
separate section as a review of
traditional postpositivist beginning of the study, such as
the literature.
approach to literature ethnographies and critical theory
reviews. studies.
This approach is most
suitable for the inductive This approach is used in all types of
The literature is presented in
process of qualitative qualitative designs, but it is most
the study at the end; it becomes
research; the literature does popular with grounded theory,
a basis for comparing and
not guide and direct the where one contrasts and compares a
contrasting findings of the
study but becomes an aid theory with other theories found in
qualitative study.
once patterns or categories the literature
have been identified
 Abstracting Studies

 Mention the problem being addressed.

 State the central purpose or focus of the study.
 Briefly state the information about the sample,
population, or subjects.
 Review key results that relate to the proposed study.
 If it is a methodological review, point out a technical
and methodological flaws in the study.
 Definition of Terms

For qualitative studies, because of the inductive, evolving

methodological design, inquirers may define few terms at the beginning,
though may advance tentative definitions.

Quantitative studies, operating more within the deductive model of

fixed and set research objectives include extensive definitions early in the
research proposal.

In mixed methods studies, the approach to definitions might include a

separate section if the study begins with a phase of quantitative data
collection
 III.
THE USE OF THEORY
 Theory Defined
A theory is an interrelated set of constructs (or variables)
formed into propositions, or hypotheses. that specify the
relationship among variables (typically in terms of magnitude
or direction).
A theory might appear in a research study as an argument. a
discussion, or a rationale, and it helps to explain (or predict)
phenomena that occur in the world. The theory provides an
explanation for the question, “Why would an independent
variable (X) influence or affect a dependent variable (Y)?

A theory explains how and why the variables are related, acting as a
bridge between or among the variables. Theory may be broad or
narrow in scope, and researchers state their theories in several ways,
such as a series of hypotheses, if-then logic statements, or visual
models. Using theories deductively, investigators advance them at the
beginning of the study in the literature review.
 Variables in Quantitative Research

Independent variables are those that (probably) cause, influence, or

affect outcomes. They are also called treatment, manipulated,
antecedent or predictor variables.

Dependent variables are those that depend on the independent

variables; they are the outcomes or results of the influence of the
independent variables. Other names includes criterion, outcome and
effect variables.

Intervening or mediating variables stand between the independent and

dependent variables, and they mediate the effects of the independent
variable on the dependent variable.
 Variables in Quantitative Research

Moderating variables are new variables constructed by a

researcher by taking one variable and multiplying it by another to
determine the joint impact of both. These variables are typically
found in experiments.

Control variables are special type of independent variables that

researchers measure because they potentially influence the
dependent variable.

Confounding variables are not actually measured or observed in

the study but its influence cannot be directly detected.
 Options for Placing Theory in a Quantitative Study
Placement Advantages Disadvantages
In the Introduction An approach often found in journal articles, It is difficult for a reader to isolate and
it will be familiar to readers. It conveys a separate theory base from other components
deductive approach. of the research process.

In the literature review Theories are found in the literature and their It is difficult for a reader to see the theory in
inclusion in a literature review is a logical isolation from the scholarly review of the
extension or part of the literature. literature.

After hypotheses or The theory discussion is a logical extension A writer may include a theoretical rationale
research questions of hypotheses or research questions because after hypotheses and questions and leave out
it explains how and why variables are an extended discussion about the origin and
related. use of the theory.
In a separate section This approach clearly separates the theory The theory discussion stands in isolation
from other components of the research from other components of the research
process, and it enables a reader to better process and, as such a reader may not easily
identify and to understand the theory base connect It with other components of the
for the study. research process.
 Theory Use in Qualitative Research
Researchers use of a theoretical lens or
perspective in qualitative research provides
an overall orienting lens for the study of
questions of gender, class, and race (or other
issues of marginalized groups). This lens
becomes an advocacy perspective that shapes
the types of questions asked, informs how
data are collected and analyzed, and provides
a call for action or change.
Feminist perspectives view as problematic women's
diverse situations and the institutions that frame those
situations. Research topics may include policy issues
related to realizing social justice for women in specific
contexts or knowledge about oppressive situations for
women (Olesen, 2000).
Racialized discourses raise important questions about the
control and production of knowledge, particularly about
people and communities of color (Ladson-Billings, 2000).
Critical theory perspectives are concerned with
empowering human beings to transcend the constraints
placed on them by race, class, and gender (Fay, 1987).
Disability inquiry addresses the meaning of inclusion in
schools and encompasses administrators. teachers, and
parent~ who have children with disabilities (Mertens,
1998).
 Theory Use in Mixed Methods Research
Theory use in mixed methods studies may include theory
deductively, in quantitative theory testing and verification, or
inductively as in an emerging qualitative theory or pattern.

Mixed methods researchers use theory either deductively (as in

quantitative research) or inductively (as in qualitative research).