LITERATURE REVIEW

IN PHD6.53
RESEARCH
Dr Rachel Maritz
PHD PROPOSAL COURSE 2023
LITERATURE REVIEW
DEFINITION
An extensive study and
interpretation of literature
that addresses a particular
topic.
THE RESEARCHER’S
FOCUS
… to review the literature and
demonstrates understanding
for the methods as well as
research that has been used
before to study the field/
phenomenon/ construct.
PURPOSE
A critical account of the
literature in a particular field
that illustrates why the
research is necessary.
HOW DO YOU DO IT?
Through a systematic review,
an evaluation, or a combination
of literature to prove a gap in
the existing research basis and
to justify your research.
 HOW DO I READ ARTICLES?

Does it give me Original research:

Is this possible a guidelines or ideas challenge some, but not
resource/ for my own idea all aspects of the
instrument that I within the larger discourse/conversation.
can use? academic All original thinkers work
conversation among within the framework of
researchers in my the larger conversation
academic and build upon others’
community? contributions.
 HOE
idea LEES
idea EK ARTIKELS?
resource resource

Is this possible a Does it give me Original research: challenge

resource/ guidelines or ideas for some, but not all aspects of
instrument that I my own idea within the the discourse/conversation.
can use? larger academic All original thinkers work
conversation among within the framework of the
researchers in my larger conversation and
academic community? build upon others’
contributions.
LITERATURE: WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

• Academic scholarship is conversational

• Literature is a conversation
• Icremental contributions (standing on the shoulders of giants)
• Approach the correct conversation (make sure that you are joining
the correct conversation and choose the correct conversational
partners)
Choose the correct community
There is a difference between research projects(projects,
dissertations and theses) and research articles).

A project can span multiple conversations, but not an article. An

article that attempts to contribute to separate conversations
will not belong anywhere.
 WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR IN AN
ABSTRACT/GENERAL ARTICLE? SPESIFIEK

CONTRUCTS CONCEPTS VARIABLES

television exposure, • The number of days per week spent

Mass Media watching television
newspaper exposure,
radio exposure, and • The number of minutes per day spent
magazine exposure watching television
• Which types of television
programmes are watched
• When television channel is watched
• Whether shows are watched when
Boyd, Brian & Bergh, Donald & Ireland, R. & Jr, David. (2013). they are originally transmitted or later
Constructs in Strategic Management. Organizational Research on videotape or digital medium (time
Methods. 16. 3-14. 10.1177/1094428112471298. shifting)
THEORY

Relationship between constructs and concepts

FORMAL WRITING
Legal writing
• Complex – E.g. a contract: Consider different outcomes in several
clauses; Who is responsible? Who is accountable? Limitations on the
purchaser and seller.

ACADEMIC WRITING
• Take several possibilities into account; search for
alternative explanations; consider different view
points and arguments; Shared language
(terminology/ jargon).
• Different definitions
• COMPLEX
• RICH
ACADEMIC WRITING
HOW DO I READ LITERATURE?
• Break arguments into parts (analyse) and put the
parts together to form a whole
(synthesise/combine);
• What are the assumptions on which the idea is
based?
• Do you agree with the idea?
• Find sources for your ideas;
• Which ideas are ‘common knowledge’ and which
ideas need references to substantiate?
• Read like a supervisor;
• Read critically.
EXERCISE #1

• Critical reading based on pointers in previous slide

(examples and article)
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 MANAGE THE LITERATURE STUDY PROCESS
MANAGE THE LITERATURE
How does each article fit into the larger conversation? Read it as
part of a whole related to the constructs in which you are
interested and which you want to study.

KEEP RECORD OF WHAT YOU READ

ARTICLE READING IS NOT A TREAD-MILL

Use what you read.
Start writing.
Discuss with your colleague or study leader.

LITERATURE SEARCH
Databases (sign up for notifications)
Search, but read immediately and write immediately.
Make a reading list.
Keep a parking lot document at hand.
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 DEEP READING
REPETITIVE READING
First repetition Second repetition
First read (second read) (third read)
1. Title Abstract (the Single sections
2. Author contribution; ideas; (particular sections):
3. Year methods; concepts; ToC, introduction,
4. Other definitions conclusion, skim
publication (operational reading (quick
information definition); reading)
conclusions)
Bibliography
 WRITE THE LITERATURE REVIEW
Versions
• Distinguish between the types
of feedback from your
supervisor (language; ideas);
• Which can be addressed easily
and quickly?
• Prioritise comments and address
accordingly.
Position
Length?
your work!
• Determine the boundaries.
• Are you writing too • State clearly what the debate is en to
much or too little? which conversation you are
contributing.
• Check the
requirements. • Write in arguments and
substantiate/support with references.
• Start at the core and
expand from there. Do you know what you want to argue
about a
construct/phenomenon/idea/concept?
• Do not start with the general themes.

Quote or paraphrase?
 WRITING A LITERATURE REVIEW
Rule 1: Define a topic and audience

interest importance Well-defined issue

Rule 2: Search and re-search the literature

Keep track Keep a list of Use a paper Define

unavailable management exclusion Find an angle
articles system criteria (scope)

Rule 3: Take notes while reading

Versions

Rule 4: Keep the review focussed (but of broad interest)

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 WRITING A LITERATURE REVIEW
Rule 5: Be critical and consistent
Major Main areas of Outstanding research
achievements debate questions
in the reviewed
field
Rule 6: Find a logical structure

Rule 7: Make use of feedback

Rule 8: Be up to date, but do not forget older studies

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 WRITING A
LITERATURE
REVIEW

Winchester, C.L. and Salji, M., 2016. Writing a literature review. Journal of Clinical Urology, 9(5), pp.308-312.
ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF
THEORIES & CONTRIBUTION
Conceptual assumptions _ The lens, my point of view: “Why”? 4

What How What

2 1
X Y
3

Contextual assumptions _ The scope, elements: Who, When, Where? 5

What is my contribution?
1. Change the dependent variable (Y)
2. Change the independent variable (X)
3. Propose a new mechanism (How) (Causal mechanism)
4. Apply a new paradigm
5. Apply a new context
THANK YOU!