Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
Tami Castillo - Learning Skills Adviser, Winifred Hirst, Subject Librarian, Matheson library
Overline
1. Literature Review what/some characteristics/features 2. Purpose/ content/ position 3. Sources 4. Critically analyse/ response 5. Note-taking
definition
literature = the collection or body of sources in a specific research area review = critical analysis and evaluation literature review = critical analysis and evaluation of the sources in a specific research area.
Related genres
Annotated bibliography
Single text analysed
Reference + annotation (notes or short paragraph)
Critical review
Single text analysed
Reference + review (paragraph or more)
Literature review
Multiple texts analysed
Reference list + intext referencing Synthesised reviews paragraph or more (article) chapter (book or thesis) publication (journal or book) Honours/Masters/PhD thesis Student assignment
publication (subject bibliography) Research notes Student assignment purpose= evaluate source re research topic or assignment question
The implication is that you begin reading with the following in mind:
a purpose + a set of research questions (promotes relevance and focus, saves time!)
Selecting Texts
What topic/ problem are you investigating?
What question(s) will you explore?
Identify the aims of your literature research.
Does each text relate to your research topic & requirements? Who/What are the essential or key researchers on my topic?
Am I finding them? Are the sources valuable or often referred to in other texts?
Note-taking
Annotate as you go
Single text analysed Reference + annotation (notes or short paragraph)
example 1
Bibliographical details:
Research theme, main theories upon which research was based, methods used, main outcomes, discussion points etc.
e.g. Excellent literature review Discussed limitations of study Appropriate statistical analysis of results given that data was
Weaknesses of study / arguments presented:
publication (subject bibliography) Research notes Student assignment purpose= evaluate source re research topic or assignment question
e.g. Failed to consider Study design not appropriate to achieve aims of the study. A better design may be Conclusions extrapolate beyond the scope of the data presented, e.g...
Connections to other readings/ideas:
e.g. Research theme similar to Bosch (2009) but looked at different outcomes (..); much better study design than Bosch (vs) e.g. Research theme similar to Gardner (2008) but Gardners research shows contradictory outcomes, mainly because his subject sampling was biased
Note-taking
EXAMPLE 2
example 2
Citation
(1) Trevor, C. O., Gerhart, B., & Boudreau, J. W. (1997). Voluntary turnover and job performance: Curvilinearity and the moderating influences of salary growth and promotions. Journal Of Applied Psychology, 82(1), 44-61. (2) In this article Trevor et al. review the influences of pay and job opportunities in respect to job performance, turnover rates and employee motivation. (3) The authors use data gained through organisational surveys of blue-chip companies in Vancouver, Canada to try to identify the main causes of employee turnover and whether it is linked to salary growth. (4) Their research focuses on assessing a range of pay structures such as pay for performance and organisational reward schemes. (5) The article is useful to my research topic, as it suggests that there are numerous reasons for employee turnover and variances in employee motivation and performance. (6) The main limitation of the article is that the survey sample was restricted to mid-level management, (7) thus the authors indicate that further, more extensive, research needs to be undertaken to develop a more in-depth understanding of employee turnover and job performance. (8) This article will not form the basis of my research; however it will be useful supplementary information for my research on pay structures.
Introduction
Research
Scope Usefulness
Limitations
Conclusions Reflection
Similarly little attention has been paid to critical thinking in algebraic problem solving. In fact, Rabinowitz (1986) argued that everyday thinking does not involve logical thinking and as such formal logistics should not be taught at all. However Hatcher (1988), Paul (1990) and Potter et al (1991) among others believe logical thinking and reasoning to be of critical importance in problem solving generally. Indeed Norris and Ennis (1989) and Paul (1990) have developed frameworks for analysing critical thinking in problem solving.
Similarly little attention has been paid to critical thinking in algebraic problem solving. In fact, Rabinowitz (1986) argued that everyday thinking does not involve logical thinking and as such formal logistics should not be taught at all. However Hatcher (1988), Paul (1990) and Potter et al (1991) among others believe logical thinking and reasoning to be of critical importance in problem solving generally. Indeed Norris and Ennis (1989) and Paul (1990) have developed frameworks for analysing critical thinking in problem solving.
http://www.monash.edu.au/lls/llonline/writing/gen eral/lit-reviews/index.xml
http://www.monash.edu.au/lls/hdr/write/5.7.html