Criteria on Making a Good Review of Related Literature & Studies

Criteria on Making a Good Review of Related Literature & StudiesGroup 3

What is it?Overview of previous research on the authors topic or on an important aspect of the authors topicIt identifies and describes and sometimes analyzes related research that has already been done and summarizes the state of knowledge about the topic

Must..Be organized around and related directly to the thesis or research question you are developingSynthesize results into a summary of what is and is not knownIdentify areas of controversy in the literatureFormulate questions that need further research

Purpose?To convey to your reader what knowledge and ideas have been established on a topic, and what their strengths and weaknesses are

ObjectivesThe review should provide a thorough overview of previous research on the topic. The review should contain references to important previous studies related to the research question that are found in high quality sources such as scholarly books and journals. The review should be succinct and well-organized. The review should follow generally established stylistic guidelines. Guidelines

Characteristics of the Materials CitedThe materials must be as recent as possible.Materials must be as objective and unbiased as possible. Materials must be relevant to the study.Materials must not too few but not too many.

Ways of Citing Related Literature and StudiesBy author or writerExamples: According to Enriquez, praise helps much in learning, etc., (Enriquez, 1981)Maglaque found out that praise is an important factor in learning, etc., (Maglaque, 1984)By topicExample: It has been found out that praise is an important aid in learning of children. (Enriquez, 1981)ChronologicalAccording to the year they were written.What to Cite?It should be emphasized that only the major findings, ideas, generalizations, principles, or conclusions in related materials relevant to the problem under investigation should be discussed in this chapter. Generally, such findings, ideas, generalizations, principles, or conclusions are summarized, paraphrased, or synthesized.

Quoting a MaterialA material may be quoted if the idea conveyed is so perfectly stated or it is controversial and it is not too long. It is written single spaced with wider margins at the left and right sides of the paper but without any quotation marks.

Steps

Step 1: Overview the articlesSkim the articles to get an idea of the general purpose and content of the article

Step 2: Group the articles into categoriesTopics Subtopics Chronologically within each subtopic

Step 3: Take NotesDefine key terms: look for differences in the way keys terms are definedNote key statistics that you may want to use in the introduction to your review.Select useful quotes that you may want to include in your review.Note emphases, strengths & weaknessesIdentify major trends or patterns:Identify gaps in the literature, and reflect on why these might exist Identify relationships among studiesKeep your review focused on your topicEvaluate your references for currency and coverage

Step 4: Synthesize the literature prior to writing your review

Consider your purpose and voice before beginning to write. Consider how you reassemble your notes: plan how you will organize your findings into a unique analysis of the picture that you have captured in your notes.Create a topic outline that traces your argumentReorganize your notes according to the path of your argumentWithin each topic heading, note differences among studies.Within each topic heading, look for obvious gaps or areas needing more research.Plan to describe relevant theories.Plan to discuss how individual studies relate to and advance theoryPlan to present conclusions and implications

Step 5: Writing the review

Identify the broad problem area, but avoid global statementsEarly in the review, indicate why the topic being reviewed is importantDistinguish between research finding and other sources of informationIndicate why certain studies are importantIf you are commenting on the timeliness of a topic, be specific in describing the time frameDiscuss other literature reviews on your topicRefer the reader to other reviews on issues that you will not be discussing in detailsJustify comments such as, "no studies were found."Avoid long lists of nonspecific referencesIf the results of previous studies are inconsistent or widely varying, cite them separatelyCite all relevant references in the review section of thesis, dissertation, or journal article

Step 6: Developing a coherent essay

If your review is long, provide an overview near the beginning of the reviewNear the beginning of a review, state explicitly what will and will not be coveredSpecify your point of view early in the reviewAim for a clear and cohesive essay that integrates the key details of the literature and communicates your point of view Use transitions to help trace your argumentIf your topic teaches across disciplines, consider reviewing studies from each discipline separatelyWrite a conclusion for the end of the reviewCheck the flow of your argument for coherence.

Avoid common mistakes when writing your literature review

Not employing the best key words and not identifying the best sourcesNot relating your study findings to the findings of the literature reviewRelying on secondary rather than primary sourcesBlindly accepting other researchers' findings rather than critically examining them

Group 3Shaira Mae AndresRikka Aida DeanonMary Amabelle PacatangKristine Angeli TechMeriel Louise Anne Villamil

ReferenceGalvan, J. (2006).Writing literature reviews: a guide for students of the behavioral sciences( 3rd ed.). Glendale, CA: Pyrczak Publishing