THE RELATED LITERATURE,

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK AND APA

WRITING STYLE
What is a literature review?

  is a search and evaluation of the available literature in your given subject or chosen
topic area. It documents the state of the art with respect to the subject or topic you are
writing about.
A literature review has four main
objectives
 It surveys the literature in your chosen area of study
 It synthesizes the information in that literature into a summary
 It critically analyses the information gathered by identifying gaps in current
knowledge; by showing limitations of theories and points of view; and by
formulating areas for further research and reviewing areas of controversy
 It presents the literature in an organized way
Steps in conducting a literature review

1. Choose a topic. Define your research question.

Your literature review should be guided by a central research question. Remember, it
is not a collection of loosely related studies in a field but instead represents
background and research developments related to a specific research question,
interpreted and analyzed by you in a synthesized way.

Tips:
 Make sure your research question is not too broad or too narrow. Is it manageable?
 Begin writing down terms that are related to your question. These will be useful for
searches later.
 If you have the opportunity, discuss your topic with your professor.
Steps in conducting a literature review

2. Decide on the scope of your review.

How many studies do you need to look at? How comprehensive should it be? How many
years should it cover? 

Tip:
This may depend on your assignment.  How many sources does the assignment require?
Steps in conducting a literature review

3. Select the databases you will use to conduct your searches.

Make a list of the databases you will search. 
Tips:
 Look at the Library's research guides in your discipline to select discipline-specific
databases.  Don't forget to look at books!
 Make an appointment with or contact your subject librarian to make sure you aren't
missing major databases.
Steps in conducting a literature review

4. Conduct your searches and find the literature. Keep track of your searches!
Tips: 
 Review the abstracts of research studies carefully. This will save you time.
 Write down the searches you conduct in each database so that you may duplicate
them if you need to later (or avoid dead-end searches that you'd forgotten you'd
already tried).
 Use the bibliographies and references of research studies you find to locate others.
 Ask your professor or a scholar in the field if you are missing any key works in the
field.
 Use RefWorks to keep track of your research citations. See the RefWorks Tutorial if
you need help.
Steps in conducting a literature review
5. Review the Literature
Some questions to help you analyze the research:
 What was the research question of the study you are reviewing? What were the authors
trying to discover?
 Was the research funded by a source that could influence the findings?
 What were the research methodologies? Analyze its literature review, the samples and
variables used, the results, and the conclusions. Does the research seem to be complete?
Could it have been conducted more soundly? What further questions does it raise?
 If there are conflicting studies, why do you think that is?
 How are the authors viewed in the field? Has this study been cited?; if so, how has it been
analyzed?

Tips:
 Again, review the abstracts carefully.
 Keep careful notes so that you may track your thought processes during the research
process.
Literature Reviews in Quantitative
Research
Quantitative data is numbers and statistics.

The advantage here is that you can collect and analyze much more information.
With good design, that means you can make general statements about what is
likely to be true overall.

A drawback can be a lack of depth (e.g. reasons why, context, emotions or

feelings)

Also, it requires mathematical and/or statistical knowledge to be able to analyse

the data effectively
Literature Reviews in Quantitative
Research
Questions related in Quantitative Research
 What is a quantitative literature review?
 Types of Quantitative Research
 What is quantitative research characteristics?
 Why quantitative method is important?
 What is the importance of quantitative analysis?
 How do you conduct a quantitative analysis?
 What are the steps in quantitative research?
 How do you find quantitative data?
 How do you identify quantitative research?
What is Quantitative Literature Review?

 Quantitative research is the process of collecting and analyzing numerical

data. It can be used to find patterns and averages, make predictions, test
causal relationships, and generalize results to wider populations.
Literature Reviews in Quantitative Research
Types of Quantitative Research

 Descriptive statistics (bar graphs, pie charts, etc.) are useful to present the
data and inform the reader, but are not usually adequate analytical methods.
These only describe your sample.

 Inferential statistics are used to explain or demonstrate hypotheses in the

overall population. Your research design needs to consider what statistical
analyses will be performed from the beginning.
What is quantitative research
characteristics?
 The data is usually gathered using structured research instruments.

 The results are based on larger sample sizes that are representative of the
population.

 The research study can usually be replicated or repeated, given its high
reliability.
Why quantitative method is important?

Allows for a broader study, involving a greater number of subjects, and

enhancing the generalization of the results; Allows for greater objectivity and
accuracy of results. Generally, quantitative methods are designed to provide
summaries of data that support generalizations about the phenomenon under
study.
What is the importance of quantitative
analysis?
Quantitative analysis provides analysts with tools to examine and analyze past,
current, and anticipated future events. Any subject involving numbers can be
quantified; thus, QA is used in many fields including analytical chemistry,
financial analysis, social science, and organized sports.
How do you conduct a quantitative
analysis?
The main methods used in quantitative research are:

1. Survey. Survey methods collects data gathered from responses given by the
participants through questionnaires.
2. Tracking.
3. Experiments.
4. Structured interviews.
5. Validity.
6. Internal validity.
7. External validity.
8. Lack of detail.
What are the steps in quantitative
research?
The Steps of Quantitative Research
1. Theory.
2. Hypothesis.
3. Research design.
4. Operationalising concepts.
5. selection of a research site or sites.
6. Selection of respondents.
7. Data collection.
8. Processing data.
How do you find quantitative data?

There are several methods by which you can collect quantitative data, which
include:

1. Experiments.
2. Controlled observations.
3. Surveys: paper, kiosk, mobile, questionnaires.
4. Longitudinal studies.
5. Polls.
6. Telephone interviews.
7. Face-to-face interviews.
How do you identify quantitative
research?
Identifying Quantitative Research – Example

1. the goal of the study was examining relationships between several variables.
2. the researchers used statistical methods (logistic regression models)
3. subjects completed questionnaires.
4. the study included a large number of subjects.
Literature Reviews in Qualitative
Research
Qualitative data includes words, opinions, thoughts, feelings and behaviors.

The advantage is that you get lots of detail about specific cases, people or group.

The disadvantages are that you can’t make general statements, and that analysis
is time consuming.

Some would argue that the analysis is also very subjective, but this depends on
your approach.
Literature Reviews in Mixed Methods
Research
 Mixed Methods Reviews "broaden the conceptualization of evidence, [are] more
methodologically inclusive and produce syntheses of evidence that will be accessible to and
usable by a wider range of consumers.” (Sandelowski et al. (2012))

 "Mixed-methods systematic reviews can be defined as combining the findings of qualitative

and quantitative studies within a single systematic review to address the same overlapping
or complementary review questions." (Harden A. 2010)

 "The mixed methods approach to conducting systematic reviews is a process whereby

(1) comprehensive syntheses of two or more types of data (e.g. quantitative and
qualitative) are conducted and then aggregated into a final, combined synthesis, or
(2) qualitative and quantitative data are combined and synthesized in a single primary
synthesis." (The Joanna Briggs Institute 2014 Reviewers Manual)
Literature Reviews in Mixed Methods
Research
Mixed Methods Reviews are best designed for:
 Multidisciplinary topics or topics with a body of literature that includes
quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods studies.
 To determine not only the effects of interventions but also their appropriateness.
 To identify research gaps.
 To provide an explanation for possible heterogeneity between trials.
 To answer multiple questions in one systematic review.
 "Integrate quantitative estimates of benefit and harm with more qualitative
understanding from people's lives." (Harden A. 2010)
Literature Reviews in Mixed Methods Research
Outline of Stages
 Timeframe: 12-18+ months. Same as a systematic review or longer. *Varies
beyond the type of review. Depends on many factors such as but not limited
to: resources available, the quantity and quality of the literature, and the
expertise or experience of reviewers" (Grant et al. 2009)
Literature Reviews in Mixed Methods Research
Outline of Stages
 Question: Addresses 2 or more specific PICO criteria, "Mixed methods reviews should
pose a question that specifically requires the inclusion of two or more syntheses that
are grounded in different approaches". A priori review protocol is recommended.

Examples of and clearly articulated PICO questions that may be posed by one mixed
methods systematic review are:

1. What is the effectiveness of educational strategies associated with insulin pump therapy?

2. What is the appropriateness of educational strategies associated with insulin pump

therapy”
Literature Reviews in Mixed Methods Research
Outline of Stages
 Sources and searches: Types of studies and their findings are mixed. This
requires a very broad search or multiple structured searches. "This should
address each of the syntheses included in the review...[and] aims to find both
published and unpublished studies."
Literature Reviews in Mixed Methods Research
Outline of Stages
 Selection: Based upon inclusion criteria.

 "The quantitative component of the review will consider any experimental study
design including randomized controlled trials, non-randomized controlled trials, quasi-
experimental, before and after studies for inclusion.“

 "The qualitative component of the review will consider studies that focus on
qualitative data including, but not limited to, designs such as phenomenology,
grounded theory, ethnography, action research and feminist research. In the absence
of research studies, other text such as opinion papers and reports will be considered.
The textual component of the review will consider expert opinion, discussion papers,
position papers and other text. • The economic component of the review will consider
cost effectiveness, cost benefit, cost minimization, cost utility."
Literature Reviews in Mixed Methods Research
Outline of Stages
 Appraisal: "This should address each of the syntheses included in the review."
(Example: Quantitative, Qualitative, Textual or Economic papers) The
appropriate critical appraisal tool or method should be applied by study type
or there should be one general tool used that will represent all study designs.
Literature Reviews in Mixed Methods Research
Outline of Stages
 Synthesis: Depends on findings and included studies, applying mixed synthesis
methods (qualitative: thematic synthesis/meta-ethnography & quantitative:
statistical meta-analysis). “The results of each single method synthesis
included in the mixed method review will be extracted in numerical, tabular
or textual format."
APA Style in Organizing the Related
Literature
 The American Psychological Association (APA) citation style is the most
commonly used format for manuscripts in the social science

 APA regulates:
 Stylistics
 In-Text citations
 References
APA Style in Organizing the Related
Literature
 Personal Pronouns where appropriate

 Active voice rather than passive voice

APA Style in Organizing the Related
Literature
 Language in APA should be:
 Clear: be specific in descriptions and explanations
 Concise: condense information when you can
 Plain: use simple, descriptive adjectives and minimize figurative language
APA Style in Organizing the Related Literature
Types of APA

 The Literature Review

 Summarizes scientific literature on a particular research topic
 Includes:
 A Title page
 Introduction and
 A list of references
APA Style in Organizing the Related Literature
Types of APA paper

 The Experimental Report

 Describes your experimental research
 Includes:
 A Title page
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Methods, results, and discussion sections
 A list of references
 Appendices
 Tables and
 Figures
APA Style in Organizing the Related Literature
Types of APA paper

 If your paper fits neither category

 Follow the general format
 Consult the Instructor
 Consult the APA Publication Manual
Conceptual Framework

 Is a graphical presentation of your concepts and ideas on the basic structure

or components of your research as well on the relationships of these elements
with one another.
Examples of Conceptual Framework
Ideational Hazard Vulnerabilit
Function y

Disaster
Typhoon
Interpersonal Textual Earthquake Children
function function Homeless
People
 Mostof the time, frameworks
Poor
Systematic
Functional
Grammar
are explained using a
schematic diagram to show
Critical
how the concepts applied in
Thinking the study
Conceptual Framework
 The C.F is an important part of study.
 Miles and Huberman (1994) defines it as a part of study that “explains, either
graphically or narrative form, the main things to be studied – the key factors,
concepts, or variables - and presumed relationship between them”.
Conceptual Framework
Here are Regonel’s (2001) step by step guide on how to make a conceptual
framework:
1. Choose your topic
2. Do a literature review
3. Isolate the important variables
4. Generate the conceptual framework
Pointers in writing a Conceptual
Framework
1. Familiarize yourself with the objective of the conceptual framework.
2. Base the contents of the conceptual framework on your own understanding of
the elements and of the relationships of the research features.
3. See to it that all aspects of the conceptual framework are related to the
objective of the research.
4. Let others read your conceptual framework for comments or feedback for
improvement purposes.
THANK YOU!