Purposive and Critical

Literature Review
This session introduces the importance of purposive and critical
literature review. At the end of the session the learner will be aware of
the different purposes of literature review and apply the appropriate
techniques and tools to highlight pertinent issues of the field of study
as well as prepare the initial conceptual framework to address the
issues.

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 Content Outline

1. Introduction to Literature Review

2. Definitions of Literature Review
3. Multipurpose Literature Review
4. Objectives of Literature Review
5. Degrees and Nature of Literature Review
6. Being Critical in Writing: An Approach
7. Being Critical in Writing: Some Considerations

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 Content Outline

8. Critical Reading Illustration

9. Quantitative and Qualitative Literature Review
10. Structuring: Literature Review Process
11. Structuring: Organizational Patterns for the Literature Review
12. Structuring: Introduction to Literature
13. In Text citations
14. Literature Review Questions
15. Tools for Literature Review

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 Introduction to Literature Review
• Doing research requires a purposeful and systematic approach to identify the appropriate
literature to develop a proper and effective research proposal.
• As background to basic reading, most people read to know, some people read to belief, few
people read to practice (habituate) and selected people read to do research. Reflective reading
and deep learning is key to read to do research. Idea generation as well as mutation arise from
such reading crucial to decide the choice and validity of your research area, topic and thesis
argument.
• During the process the choice of research references are critical to cite and support the relevant
content, context and arguments put forward by the author.
• The choice of literature varies from a mass media like news of events or features, corporate or
public policy announcements, academic and industry journals, policy documents, research and
conference papers as well as published monographs and books.
• A novice researcher begins with the highly referred text materials followed by recent research
developments in the topic/area.

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 Definition(s) of Literature Review

• Literature review is both a process and product (Ridley 2012)

• As part of thesis it represents an extensive reference to related research and theory in
related field.
• As an ongoing process it facilitates research design, process as well as robustness of
methods, data integrity and significant results and findings as well as theoretical conclusion.
• Attributes
• Succinct and present state of the art (knowledge) as well as major research question (Bell
2010)
• Locate research project within the context to provide insight on previous works (Blaxter et al
2010)
• Fully professional grasp of background theory (Phillips and Pugh 2010)
• Extracts and synthesizes the main points/issues/methods/findings (Nunan 1992)
• Provide a coherent argument to the description of the study (Rudestam and Newton 2007)

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Multi purpose Literature Review
• Literature review serve several purposes as follows:
• Historical background
• Allows the researcher to be aware of the motivation and rationale of previous (seminal) studies as well as
their methods, results, findings and limitations.
• Current context
• To be at the frontier of research literature and findings to identify the progress and direction of research.
• Relevant theories and concepts
• To identify rationale and basis of study to explore relevant theories, concepts and gaps.
• Pertinent terminologies and definitions
• To be precise and accurate in adopt terminologies of discipline or industry.
• Determination of research issues, gaps, problem, objectives etc …
• To explore research gaps from mixed findings, testable assumptions and sample/method limitations
• Provide supporting evidence for practical problem or significant issue.
• Aware of previous study recommendations and limitations

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Objectives of Literature Review
• It relates a study to the larger ongoing dialogue in the literature, filling in gaps
and extending prior studies (Cooper, 1984; Marshall & Rossman, 2006)
• It provides a framework for establishing the importance of the study as well
as benchmark for comparing results with other findings (Miller, 1991)
• Literature review outcome could be multi-fold, namely,
• Content of study to elicit concepts, principles, features, attributes and theories
• Context of study to determine the context of study such as country, jurisdiction, period
and phenomenon
• Method of study to determine the research method (qualitative/quantitative), sample
data and techniques
• Findings of study to determine the outcome and significant of results to conclude the
study
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Degrees and the Nature of
Literature
Level
ReviewFunction and Format
BA BSc etc Descriptive and topic focus; Topic analysis in terms of justification
MA MSc Analytical and Summative including methodological issues, research topics and techniques.
Dedicated chapters for theories and methodology
PhD Analytical synthesis on all known literature on the research problem. High level conceptual
thinking within and across theories. Summative and formative evaluation of previous work
on the problem. Depth and Breadth discussion on relevant philosophical problems and the
ways in which they relate to the problem.
(Hart, 1998)

Literature review could also be a standalone for self contained literature for a particular assignment or
systematic literature review for research project.

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Being Critical in Writing: An
Approach
• Critical approach outlined by Taylor (1989) and reformulated by Hart
(1998).
 comparing and contrasting different theories, perspectives etc … and indicating
your position in research
Strategic and selective referencing to support the underpinning arguments
Synthesizing and reformulating arguments from two or more sources to develop
a new or more developed view
Agreeing with, confirming or defending a finding or point of view through
analysis of its merits and limitations
Conceding that an existing point of view has some strengths but qualifying your
support by highlighting certain weaknesses
Rejecting a point of view and giving reasons for rejection.
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Being Critical in Writing: Some
considerations
• Being critical includes
Explain why you select the author as reference with adequate summary of
the main points asserted by the author.
Not to demolish someone else’s work.
Negative critique is meant to contribute by filling research gap(s) with
reference to scope, objective, problem, limitations etc …
Be respectful and act in humility.

 Ultimate objective is to contribute and build a research community

culture of knowledge and virtues.

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 Critical Reading Illustration
• Critical reading is both analytical and evaluative
• Narrations, Descriptions, References, methods, data, results and findings are analysed
based on the concepts, basis and assumptions.
• These are evaluated according to benchmark standards, policies, practices as well as
prior theoretical arguments and findings.
• Sample questions to invoke critique:
• What is the author’s central argument?
• What conclusions does the author reach?
• What evidence does the author put forward to support the argument?
• Is the evidence strong to support both the argument and conclusion?
• Any unstated assumptions about shared beliefs? Can these be challenged?
• What is the background context in which the text is written? For example does the
cultural or historical context have effect on the assumptions, the content and
presentation?

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 Quantitative and Qualitative: Literature Review

• Quantitative and Qualitative mindsets are important when reviewing research approaches
that distinguish between a single and multiple realities.
• A research with a view of single reality would to proof a theorem or test a hypothesis unlike are searcher
with multiple realities which will attempt to examine phenomenon or construct analytics such realities
• Quantitative Focus
• Review of prior assumptions, variables and constraints specified in theoretical constructs and hypothesis
• Review robustness of testable assumptions and techniques in defining, explaining and predicting
relationships.
• Qualitative Focus
• Exploratory in nature and not intended prescribe or derived questions but rather to facilitate emerging
questions.
• Two approaches to be considered are:
• Theoretically oriented studies focus on concept (ethnography) or a critical theory (critical studies)
• Grounded approach defer conceptualization to a later stage.

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 Using Literature in Qualitative/
Quantitative Study
Functional aspect Criteria (Qualitative)
Framing the problem Available prior literature
[Integrative] to identify concepts and
formulate interpretive
conceptual framework
Designated Relevant in theoretical
section/chapter on perspective to discuss
literature review integral literature that
[Theoretical] establish the central
argument (thesis)
Basis to explain Discussed as basis to
findings and explain emerging themes
formulate and trends from the
conclusions findings as well as to
[Methodological] compare with prior
studies
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Criteria (Quantitative) Illustration
Available prior literature QUAL: Is VBI inclusive?
to identify QUAN: Is VBI effective?
concepts/variables and
formulate theoretical
testable constructs
Relevant in QUAL: Grounded
highlighting/directing to QUAN: Agency Theory
relevant theories and
empirical analysis to
discuss integral literature
that establish theoretical
construct/framework
Discussed as basis to QUAL: Features or Issues
analyze similar or new QUAN:
significant sample data, Solvency/Performance
techniques and findings Meaures
benchmark to prior
studies.
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 Structuring: Literature Review
Process Developing
Identify theories, categories and
terminology, concepts, themes for the
Specifying title and
policy and reading
section headings for
methodology
the literature review

Exploring ideas Writing and

around the topic
Reading revisiting drafts of
your review

Locating Previous Developing your

Research in the area Writing argument:
Searching
Identifying source
texts to support
Formulating each step in your
research questions argument

Note taking, Justifying research

summaries and problem or issue to
informal writing be investigated

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Structuring: Organizational Patterns for the
Literature Review

From a broad to medium to focus view

Finding intersection from three areas

Patch working the areas to solve a Funnelling to filter and focus the area
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Structuring: Introduction to
Literature
 Historical Background of Research
Current Context of your research
Relevant theories and concepts
Relevant terminologies and definitions
Related research in the field leading to research gap
Supporting evidence for a practical problem or issue

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In-text citations: Definition and
Importance
• In-text citations refer to citations or references to other authors within the main body of the
text of a dissertation or thesis which occur when propositional content is attributed to
another source (Hyland, 2004)
• Importance for the following reasons:
Acknowledgement and respect
Allegiance to research community
Justification
Illustrate argument
Create niche from prior studies
Compare, contrast or evaluate
Illustrate understanding
Tracking sources
Accuracy check
Avoid plagiarism

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In text citations: What is Plagiarism?
• Plagiarism is the deliberate or unintentional use of the ideas , words or work
of others without acknowledgement;
• It occurs when an individual knowingly or unknowingly presents something as their
own when in fact it has come from someone else’s work and the source has not been
appropriately referenced.
• Wholesale copying of another’s work or from internet verbatim.
• Rephrase someone else’s original ideas and not acknowledging the source
• Using common knowledge material in the field and copying word for word (verbatim) from a book
for example.
• Acknowledging the source but using the exact wording.
• Self plagiarism submit same piece of work verbatim for two different assessments.
• Rephrase or paraphrase or specify quotation marks is exact words quoted
with proper reference.
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In Text Citations: Integral and non-
Integral References
• Integral reference is where the cited author’s name has a grammatical function
in the sentence which you include it in your writing. (Active verbal sense)
• Example (1) subject of sentence: Ahmad (1991) has argued …
• Example (2) adjunct phrase at the beginning: According to Ahmad (1991)
• Example (3) agent of the verb: … was conducted by Ahmad (1991)
• Non-integral reference is where the cited author’s name appears in brackets
outside the structure of the sentence in the text and has no grammatical
function within that sentence. (Passive)
• Example (1) single reference: … work experience (Ahmad, 1991)
• Example (2) more than one source: … work experience (Ahmad 1991, Salim et al 1992)
• Example (3) range of finding: … distrust (Abu, 1981), … motivation (Salim, 1983) …

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In Text Citation: Four Main Citation
Patterns
• Summary
• Present your argument with reference to specific citation.
• Generalization
• Generalize your argument with reference to several citations.
• Short Direct Quotation
• Direct quotation in a sentence.
• Long Direct Quotation
• An indented paragraph of full quotation.

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In Text Citation: Reporting Verbs in
Integral reference
• Reporting verbs can be categorised as the author’s activities such as:
• Doing such as Samad (2012) observed …
• Thinking such as Ali (2013) speculated …
• Discussion such as Ahmad (2014) argued …
• Tense of Reporting verb can be of three types:
• Past simple tense Ahmad (2015) explained how … (has occurred)
• Present perfect tense Ahmad (2015) has explained how … (currently being
researched)
• Present simple tense Ahmad (2015) explains how … (current and close to your
research)

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 LITERATURE REVIEW
CHECKLIST QUESTIONS

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 Article Review
1. Is the main research question or problem statement presented in a clear and analytical
manner?
2. Is the relevance of research question transparent?
3. Is this study from previous research?
4. Will the study contribute to the field?
5. Is there a theory that guides the research?
6. Is the theory described relevant? Explained in understandable, structured and convincing
manner?
7. Are the methods used in the study explained in a clear manner (description of methods)
8. Is the choice of certain methods motivated in a convincing manner? (justification of
methods)
9. Is the sample appropriate?

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 Article Review
1. Are the research design and/or the questionnaire appropriate for this
study?
2. Are the measures for the variable valid and reliable?
3. Has the author used the appropriate quantitative or qualitative
techniques?
4. Do the conclusions result from the findings of the study?
5. Do the conclusions give a clear answer to the main research questions?
6. Has the author considered the limitations of the study?
7. Has the author presented the limitations in the article?

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TOOLS for Literature Review
• Identify key words • Potential search • Potential source
embedded in topic
enablers documents
• Search – – Journal
ERIC
catalog/database
– Google Scholar – Encyclopedia
• Skim, Prioritize and – PubMed – Books
examine for adequacy
– Pro-Quest – Monographs
of research listing
– Sociological index – Dissertations
• Design a literature map – –
The Social Sciences Published reports
• Prepare draft Citation Index
summaries with precise
references based on
the map
• Organize according to
concepts and develop
typical themes for your
study.

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What is an abstract?
• Abstract is a brief review of literature that summarizes major
elements fundamental to understanding the basic features of the
article.
• The problem studied
• Central purpose/focus of study
• Information on sample, population or subjects
• Technical/methodological limitations/challenges of the study.
• Key results of study

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Research Plan
• Title
• Problem
• Purpose and Objectives
• Research Questions or Hypothesis
• Literature review
• Base Theories
• Methods
• Qualitative => inductive to derive Emerging themes
• Quantitative => deductive to formulate constructs
• Mixed Methods => concurrent or sequential QUANQUAL or QUALQUAN
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Exercise 1.1: Which literature
review approach?
• Select a thesis and review the chapters to identify the approach of the
literature view.
• Briefly state how previous research and theories/principles are
referred throughout the thesis.
• Identify the significant references that support the central thesis argument(s).
• Identify the significant references that support the research method(s)
• Identify the significant references that support the findings and conclusion.

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Exercise 1.2: Research in
Reflection
Multiple Purposes of Research
Research Topic:
Research Questions: 1.
2.
Relevant points Key references
Historical background
Contemporary Context
Theories and Concepts
Relevant Terminology
Previous Research & limitations
Research Gap/problem
Significance
Other

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Sources and Searches
• Literature search is ‘a systematic and thorough search of all types of published literature in
order to identify as many items as possible that are relevant to a particular topic’ (Gash 1999).
• Focus on the search include:
• Determine the field and context
• What and how to conduct/engage?
• Referent others to avoid duplication
• Identify key people, organization and texts.
• Sources of information
• Books
• Journal Articles
• Published literature review of a field
• ‘Grey literature’ unpublished but could be seminal
• Web sites (URL such as .ac .edu; .org .gov; .co .com
• Authority; Updated: Reliability; Systematic?

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Sources and Searches
• Desk research or empirical research
• Research Tools
• Catalogues (OPAC)
• Bibliographical databases (WOK, Proquest, Emerald etc …)
• Internet search engine (Google scholar, science direct etc …)
• Open access databases (DOAJ, Elsevier etc.)
• Professional, regulator websites etc …
• RSS feeds and e-mail alerts
• Social Bookmarking (www.citeulike.org)

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Exercise 1.3: Tracking Search
Resarch Topic
Key Word Search Key Words Search Results
[Catalogue Name] [Key Words] [Search Results]
[Search Engine]

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Efficient Reading
• SQ3R as efficient reading technique:
• Survey the text to ascertain the gist or general idea
• Question – think about the questions you want the text to answer
• Read the text carefully pertinent to your research by making connections to
your prior readings.
• Recall the main points after you have read
• Review the text to confirm the significant main points

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Reference Management: Literature
Record Checklist
 Record of all key word searches
 Identify useful catalogues, databases, journals and authors
 Implement system of bibliographical details (with reference to
bibliographical conventions)
 Categorise reading in topic areas
 Develop system for storing notes and hard copies of source texts

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 Source:
THE LITERATURE
REVIEW
2ND Edition Diana Ridley SAGE Publications 2012
[LB 2369 R545L 2012]

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