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Understanding the Purpose of Literature Review in Dissertation

A literature review is an integral part of any dissertation, serving as the foundation upon which a
solid academic argument is built. Its purpose extends far beyond a mere summary of existing
literature; rather, it plays a crucial role in shaping the direction, focus, and scope of the research. In
essence, a well-executed literature review demonstrates the scholar's grasp of the existing scholarship
within the chosen field of study while also highlighting gaps, contradictions, and areas ripe for
further exploration.

One of the primary objectives of a literature review is to provide context and background for the
research problem or question at hand. By critically analyzing existing literature, researchers can
identify key themes, theoretical frameworks, methodologies, and findings relevant to their study.
This process not only demonstrates the significance of the research within the broader academic
discourse but also helps situate the study within a specific intellectual tradition or school of thought.

Moreover, a literature review serves as a platform for synthesizing and integrating diverse sources of
information. Rather than simply summarizing individual studies, researchers are tasked with
synthesizing the findings, identifying patterns, and reconciling conflicting perspectives. This process
of synthesis is essential for developing a coherent theoretical framework or conceptual model that
guides the research and informs subsequent data collection and analysis.

Additionally, a well-executed literature review enables researchers to identify gaps or lacunae in


existing knowledge. By pinpointing areas where the literature is sparse, contradictory, or outdated,
scholars can articulate the unique contribution of their research and justify its significance. This
aspect of the literature review is particularly important for advancing the field and generating new
insights or perspectives.

However, writing a literature review can be a daunting task, requiring extensive research, critical
analysis, and synthesis of complex ideas. It demands not only a comprehensive understanding of the
existing literature but also the ability to articulate a clear and coherent argument. Moreover,
researchers must navigate through a vast array of sources, ranging from academic journals and books
to conference proceedings and grey literature, while also critically evaluating the credibility and
relevance of each source.

Given the challenges associated with writing a literature review, many researchers opt to seek
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Conducting a Literature Review: Why Do A Literature Review. Literature search -- finding materials
relevant to the subject being explored. 3. Data evaluation -- determining which literature makes a
significant contribution to the understanding of the topic. 4. Analysis and interpretation -- discussing
the findings and conclusions of pertinent literature. Hence at the end, they don’t have time left in
their hand that they can utilize in writing their dissertation. A good literature review should also
highlight what areas don’t fit together, and which pieces are missing. Objectivity -- is the author's
perspective even-handed or prejudicial. Writing the literature review (LR) is often viewed as a
difficult task that can be a point of writer's block and procrastination in postgraduate
life.Disagreements on the definitions or classifications of LRs may confuse students about their
purpose and scope, as well as how to perform an LR.Interestingly, at many universities, the LR is
still an important element in any. In any case, you should always stick to the writing prompt by your
institution or supervisor. Generally, it may be 2000-3000 words, but you can increase or decrease
this. Purpose of a Literature Review - Academic Coaching and Writing LLC. At this point consider:
Does your study extend current research. Now consider some typical ways of organizing the sources
into a review: Chronological: If your review follows the chronological method, you could write about
the materials above according to when they were published. Table 2 lists the most common problems
that we have encountered as authors, reviewers, and editors. Scribbr slides are free to use, customize,
and distribute for educational purposes. Researchers should check with their librarian to determine
their access rights. Here is a simple example: Smith (2023) examined the relationship between peer
review and final grades in a first year writing course across multiple universities and colleges and
found that xxx. Other Sections of Your Literature Review Once you've decided on the organizational
method for your literature review, the sections you need to include in the paper should be easy to
figure out because they arise from your organizational strategy. Look at sources the authors cite to in
their work. It is a great solution for those who are short of time. Examining cited references provides
additional articles for review and a sense of the influence of the selected article on its field. Chapter
9 Methods for Literature Reviews Among other methods, literature reviews are essential for: (a)
identifying what has been written on a subject or topic; (b) determining the extent to which a
specific research area reveals any interpretable trends or patterns; (c) aggregating empirical findings
related to a narrow research question to support evidence-based practice; (d) generat. This makes you
wonder about American whaling methods during the time portrayed in Moby Dick, so you find some
academic articles published in the last five years on how accurately Herman Melville portrayed the
whaling scene in his novel. First, since the purpose statement has all of the elements required to
understand the gist of what is being studied, where (or with whom) it's being studied, and how it's
being studied, all the major areas of knowledge or theory present. How to Add a Hanging Indent in
Google Slides A hanging indent adds an indent to the first line of each paragraph and is. Students
should always cross-check any information on this site with their course teacher. Chapter 3 The
Research Process: The broad problem area and defining the pro. You can also draw on government
websites, provided they have a strong reputation for objectivity and data quality. However, your core
arguments and theoretical foundations shouldn’t rely on these. What are the different methods you
can use its clear, precise and understandable many thanks affectionately yours’ Godfrey Thanks for
this wonderful resource. It also shows how different studies are related and explains why some
questions have received more attention than others. 6. Literature Review Gives Context To The
Research Study The literature review provides context for the research study that follows by showing
its connection with what has already been published on the subject. A crucial part of this is
formulating a theoretical framework, which comprises the concepts and theories that your work is
based upon and against which its success will be judged.
Help Center Here you'll find an answer to your question. Peterson, E. (2004) “Web Analytics
Demystified” Found. Powered by the most advanced AI models, this tool can search and analyze
scholarly articles, books, and other resources to identify key themes, methodologies, findings, and.
Any lit review is only as good as the research it discusses; make sure your sources are well-chosen
and your research is thorough. But how is a literature review different from an academic research
paper. If you have the opportunity, discuss your topic with your professor and your class mates. 2.
Decide on the scope of your review How many studies do you need to look at. Of course, as we’ve
discussed before, writing is a form of thinking, so you don’t need to plan out every detail before you
start writing. This is particularly true in disciplines in medicine and the sciences where research
conducted becomes obsolete very quickly as new discoveries are made. Why does a CID Research
Proposal require a literature search and review. This can give you some insight into the gaps in the
current research, as well as how things can be changed so that researchers can learn more about the
topic. You don’t want to substitute a thorough review of core research literature in your discipline
for studies conducted in other fields of study. Introduce the literature review by pointing out the
major research topic that will be discussed. You need to make sure that you are aware of the debates
and counter arguments associated with your topic as well. It is often written as part of a thesis,
dissertation, or research paper, in order to situate your work in relation to existing knowledge. A
literature review, like a term paper, is usually organized around ideas, not the sources themselves as
an annotated bibliography would be organized. Now equipped with the essential steps to start your
literature review, you're set on the right path. This is a costly mistake, as it always results in extensive
rewriting, which takes a lot longer than just doing it one step at a time. Print Friendly Skip to main
content Skip to secondary menu Skip to primary sidebar Curious Desire Quench Curiosity 15
Reasons Why Literature Review Is Important. Announcement: Today’s class location has been
rescheduled to TEC 112 Next Week: Bring four questions (15 copies) to share with your classmates.
Thematic: Thematic reviews of literature are organized around a topic or issue, rather than the
progression of time. This same writer will likely turn up as a reference in most of the other articles
written on the same topic. Promotes Theory Development: Evaluates and combines existing theories,
possibly leading to new ones. This is an important aspect that cannot be omitted prior to actual
literature analysis. A summary is a recap of the important information of the source, but a synthesis is
a re-organization, or a reshuffling, of that information. Let’s quickly recap on the 7 most common
literature review mistakes. But now you can take this task to the best academic writers. Just like
learning more about studies already in progress, you may want to reach out to study authors to ask
them questions about their methods. Try to analyze the patterns, turning points, and key debates that
have shaped the direction of the field. Make sure to read the abstract to find out whether an article is
relevant to your question. Some chapters can waffle on for pages and pages and leave the reader
thinking, “so what?” So, how do you decide what’s relevant.
Purpose of a Literature Review - Academic Coaching and Writing LLC. Find models Look for other
literature reviews in your area of interest or in the discipline and read them to get a sense of the types
of themes you might want to look for in your own research or ways to organize your final review.
It’s basically a hint for the following researchers. PURPOSE OF ROL. SOURCES OF IDEAS
(primary review) ORIENTATION TO WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN REVEALS GAPS AND
INCONSISTENCIES. For example, a review that examines literature supporting or refuting an
argument, assumption, or philosophical problem related to the research problem will also need to
include writing supported by sources that establish the history of these arguments in the literature.
For example, what might cultural anthropologists say about the continuing conflict in the Middle
East. In other words, a chronological review would have subsections for each vital time period.
Engage in Dialogue Frame your literature review as a conversation with other scholars. For instance,
you might explain that your review includes only peer-reviewed articles and journals. Are you aware
of literature review models, types, and elements. Also, you get a guide on literature review strategies
through sample examples. Chronological The simplest approach is to trace the development of the
topic over time. This means identifying, summarizing and critically assessing past research that is
relevant to your own work. Begin composing Once you’ve settled on a general pattern of
organization, you’re ready to write each section. There are also several extra points that may be
clarified with the literature review examples. To maintain track of the scholarly articles and sources,
use a bibliography or reference management software like EndNote or Zotero. You dust off a novel
and a book of poetry, settle down in your chair, and get ready to issue a “thumbs up” or “thumbs
down” as you leaf through the pages. “Literature review” done. This is because you’ve just finished
reading Moby Dick, and you wonder if that whale’s portrayal is really real. The sources support what
Falk and Mills are saying. Keep the balance in your points of view and point out at the available
deficiencies and controversies, relating different positions with your own beliefs. Hamilton (1988)
asked students to complete sentences that required them to fill in pronouns that agreed with gender-
neutral antecedents such as “writer,” “pedestrian,” and “persons.” The students were asked to
describe any image they had when writing the sentence. Literature reviews are in reality a type of
research Should conform to the anatomy of a typical scholarly article Abstract Introduction Methods
Results Discussion Conclusion References. Identifies methods that may be relevant to your project.
Importantly, that puzzle will in all likelihood have pieces that don’t fit well together, and pieces that
are missing. In the sciences, for instance, treatments for medical problems are constantly changing
according to the latest studies. Demonstrates why a topic is significant to a subject area. International
journal of clinical practice, 69 (11), 1257-1267. By: Volte Face. Team Members. PROJECT
MANAGER NOOR SHAZLIZA BT ZAKARIA ASSISTANT MANAGER MOHD SYIFUL BIN
MOHD NOOR SECRETARY NOOR SHALASIAH BT OSMAN. Dr. NN Chavan Keynote address
on ADNEXAL MASS- APPROACH TO MANAGEMENT in the. Promotes Theory Development:
Evaluates and combines existing theories, possibly leading to new ones.
Writing literature reviews is a particularly important skill if you want to apply for graduate school or
pursue a career in research. A literature review involves the systematic identification, location,
search, and summary of written materials that contain information on a research problem. Use
caution when paraphrasing When paraphrasing a source that is not your own, be sure to represent the
author’s information or opinions accurately and in your own words. This material may not be
published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Below is a five-step
process for conducting a simple review of the literature for your project. In other words, they start
writing before they’ve finished digesting the literature. To discover what is literature review is in
thesis writing, its purpose, and writing essentials, keep reading. After picking appropriate sources, we
carefully evaluate them for credibility and the author's qualifications to select the most relevant ones
on your topic. Specify the time frame, key themes, and relevant studies to focus your research. By
doing this, you’ll achieve a comprehensive literature base that is both well-rooted in tried and tested
theory and current. If you are writing the literature review section of a dissertation or research paper,
you will search for literature related to your research problem and questions. Use Evidence A
literature review section is, in this sense, just like any other academic research paper. As with any
other source, be wary of any government website that seems to be pushing an agenda. Lisa Eblen,
MLIS, AHIP Research Symposium Naval Hospital Pensacola September 2011. You will often see the
terms “the research,” “the scholarship,” and “the literature” used mostly interchangeably. Qualitative
versus quantitative research Empirical versus theoretical scholarship Divide the research by
sociological, historical, or cultural sources Theoretical: In many humanities articles, the literature
review is the foundation for the theoretical framework. Yet Another Writing Tip When Do I Know I
Can Stop Looking and Move On. Nova has also worked as a technical and scientific writer. Purpose
of literature review Content of literature review Literature. Identifies critical gaps and points of
disagreement. Scribbr slides are free to use, customize, and distribute for educational purposes.
However, for the vast majority of your literature review, you need to put things into your own
words. By undertaking a literature review you are able to critically summarise the current time to
read the literature that is relevant to your proposed research study. Literature Reviews A literature
review discusses published information in a particular subject area, and sometimes information in a
particular subject area within a certain time period. Spending a lot of time revising is a wise idea,
because your main objective is to present the material, not the argument. For scholars, the depth and
breadth of the literature review emphasizes the credibility of the writer in his or her field. Video
Capsule Enteroscopy in the Diagnosis of Celiac Disease: A multicenter Study. Wiser workshop 27 th
January 2010. Overview. What is a literature review. Conducting a Literature Review: Why Do A
Literature Review. AI Literature Review Generator Automated literature review creation tool.
The review was developed as part of an implementation evaluation of six Dislocated Worker
Demonstration Grants to address the National Health Emergency (NHE) of the opioid crisis. If you
have any questions about these literature review mistakes, leave a comment below and we’ll do our
best to answer. In a research paper, you use the literature as a foundation and as support for a new
insight that you contribute. Does it confirm, add to, or challenge established knowledge. Download
Word doc Download Google doc Before you begin searching for literature, you need a clearly
defined topic. Create a matrix of the studies for easy analysis, and synthesis, across all of the studies.
Given this, while literature reviews are designed to provide an overview and synthesis of pertinent
sources you have explored, there are a number of approaches you could adopt depending upon the
type of analysis underpinning your study. Ensure that your ideas flow logically, and use clear
language to communicate complex concepts. This is because examining past research allows you to
identify gaps in the literature, which you can then attempt to fill or address with your own work. Are
you searching Sample Literature Review examples. Demonstrates the depth of your knowledge
about your research. Social Posts Create on-brand social posts and Articles in minutes. Give it a
Once-Over Find out what's good and not-so-good about the research. Review the abstracts of
research studies carefully. What is its purpose? - Literature Review Tutorial - Library Guides at. The
first step of any research project is to review the field. This same writer will likely turn up as a
reference in most of the other articles written on the same topic. If your lit review is a standalone
piece, the introduction and conclusion take up more space and give you a place to discuss your
goals, research methods, and conclusions separately from where you discuss the literature itself.
Example: In a review of psychological studies on memory, sections could be organized around
cognitive, behavioral, and neuroscientific theories. Disaster management using mobile phone
technology in kenya final project msed. Importantly, that puzzle will in all likelihood have pieces that
don’t fit well together, and pieces that are missing. Yes, there are thesis statements in literature
overviews. Leite and Topping adopted a variable mutation probability and obtained an outperformed
result. Determine The Purposes For The Literature Review Recognize The Need For Becoming
Familiar With The Library's Services Distinguish Between Primary And Secondary Sources In
Research Literature Recognize The Importance Of Grey Literature. The most common reason that
students land up with a poor structure is that they start writing their literature review chapter without
a plan or structure. Sometimes, though, you might need to add additional sections that are necessary
for your study, but do not fit in the organizational strategy of the body. More Features Connections
Canva Create professional content with Canva, including presentations, catalogs, and more. Even
with more than 10 years of nursing experience and post-basic qualifications 12 percent of them fell
short of the OSCE. Purpose of literature review Content of literature review Literature. The
'Literature Review' is the part of the dissertation where there is extensive reference to related
research and theory in the field.
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Other: American Born
Chinese by Gene Luen Yang The Pearl by John Steinbeck. This can be especially helpful for students
or scholars getting into a new research area, or for directing an entire community of scholars toward
questions that have not yet been answered. Identifying gaps allows you to position your work as a
valuable contribution to the field. When writing your review, keep in mind these issues. A literature
review involves the systematic identification, location, scrutiny, and summary of written materials
that contain information on a research problem. Check the basic literature review format and
elements used in the example. Does the work ultimately contribute in any significant way to an
understanding of the subject? II. Given the vast amount of literature available, it's crucial to discern
which publications are most pertinent to your study. Based on your reading and notes, you can look
for: Trends and patterns (in theory, method or results): do certain approaches become more or less
popular over time. Journal of experimental criminology, 10, 487-513. Finally, many studies in
medical education are “one-offs,” that is, single studies undertaken because the opportunity
presented itself locally. Of course, as we’ve discussed before, writing is a form of thinking, so you
don’t need to plan out every detail before you start writing. When you’ve answered the main
questions and achieved the set goals, sharing your thoughts is a wise solution, especially if you
disagree with something and need to support any points of view. Integrative Review Considered a
form of research that reviews, critiques, and synthesizes representative literature on a topic in an
integrated way such that new frameworks and perspectives on the topic are generated. Nevertheless,
the thesis is expected to demonstrate that you have read a lot and can show the findings to the
interested audience. Human Resources A medical librarian can help translate research interests into
an effective search strategy, familiarize researchers with available information resources, provide
information on organizing information, and introduce strategies for keeping current with emerging
research. Methodological Approach This approach centers on the research methods employed in
various studies related to your topic. Source: UCCS As I mentioned, this doesn’t mean that your
literature review can’t include the occasional blog post or news article. Identify Gaps Highlight areas
where existing research falls short. Analyze its literature review, the samples and variables used, the
results, and the conclusions. It shows how these two characteristics can influence research results and
thus help them to make informed decisions about whether or not to include specific studies in their
work. 15. Literature Review Helps To Develop Understanding About A New Topic Another benefit
of the literature review is that it helps researchers explore complex topics, which they may be
unfamiliar with at first. Silyn-Roberts, H. (2002). Writing for Science and Engineering: Papers,
Presentations and Reports. For example, you may decide that it’s time to create a study with slightly
different variables or that research would benefit most from moving in an entirely new direction.
Identifies methods that may be relevant to your project. Make sure to read the abstract to find out
whether an article is relevant to your question. All your further steps will be determined by this easy
one that gives a general perspective. Does it really match up with what you're trying to find out.
Therefore, relevant content is the relatively narrow body of content that relates directly to those three
components. Uncover connections and relationships among diverse research pieces to construct a
cohesive narrative within your literature review. Try writing a simple statement that lets the reader
know what is your main More and more cultural studies scholars are accepting popular media as a
subject worthy.

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