example of a literature review

example of a literature review

Importance of Literature Review in Research

1. Introduction

The literature review is a study of existing published information on a specific topic. It includes a general summary of the current knowledge of the topic up to the date of the review. Lawrence A. Machi and Brenda T. McEvoy, Guidance Approach to the Doctoral Dissertation Research, In my point of view of understanding the literature review is a part of the study, which holds good qualities by the students. But, no one understands what the main purpose of literature review is. As mentioned previously, Dr. Wahi (2015) stated that literature review provides a theoretical framework of the study with a clear concept which takes away the confusions about what should be done and what should not be done with a clear understanding. It also explains how this study helps and contributes knowledge to others. An effective literature review provides a solid foundation with a strong background for a research study. Quantitative and qualitative research studies seek an effective literature review. Mixed methods study also requires the correct evidence and facts of the study, which involve a strong backing from qualitative and quantitative study. Sometimes studies are unsuccessful due to a lack of understanding of the topic and less information. This study has neglected many factors. Cause and effect relationship is very important provided by the literature because it differentiates the effects of one thing to another. Descriptive and simple literature defines the basic history and background of the study. This clarification has greater importance to research and especially to the public.

2. Benefits of Conducting a Literature Review

After formulating the research question and before leaping into identifying the research methodology, it is very essential to define the objectives for the research. Literature review helps to elicit various alternative methods for defining the objectives and thus may alter the course of research, giving valuable findings.

At the very onset, it helps to prepare a platform for formulating a research question, as it helps in identifying the gap in the available literature which, if filled, can provide valuable data. It also gives an idea if the question is feasible and what it can lead to in terms of exploration and knowledge. Hence, it can serve as a litmus test for the research question. The clearer the understanding of a research question, the better are the chances of achieving the set objectives.

Considering the necessity of literature review in a research, it is likewise important to understand the benefits of conducting a thorough literature review. There are a host of benefits which encompass the different spheres of an academic research. Starting from the inception of a research idea, i.e. identifying the research question, to defining the objectives and exploring the various data collection and analysis methods, literature review provides a solid foundation for all these.

3. Steps to Conduct a Literature Review

The first step in doing a literature review is to find a topic. Usually, you will have a topic in mind. But this is a very broad one, for example: you have an interest in clinical depression. There are a wide range of research topics in this field, i.e. possible causes, treatments, theories, public opinion or understanding of the illness. Now it is the time to narrow it down. Now you need to decide which specific area of clinical depression you are interested in. In this case, I am interested in finding out how individuals with depression cope with the illness. The topic and the area within clinical depression have now been defined. The next step is to collect information. The first place to start is to look at any past assignments on the topic. They may provide a basis for the review. Next, go to the library and search some databases. If you are off campus, you will have to use the Athens login. Usually, Medline, CINAHL, and PsycINFO are good databases to search for health-related topics. Now you should have a look at what you found and decide if the topic needs to be refined and the areas in which you need to collect more information. Now you need to organize the information. Decide what is relevant and what is not. It is usually wise to have a Word document with a table. The rows of the table will be the specific areas within the topic. In this case, the table will have 5 rows with the possible treatments and a brief description. Now that the table has been made, fill it with information (make sure you also note down the references).

4. Common Challenges in Literature Review

Time and cost: Time and cost also become challenges for literature review. It is because in a literature review, the researcher will cover almost all information from the past to the present. It will spend a lot of time and it will cost a lot. Especially for information that is stored in media such as film or ancient information and is rare. This type of information usually needs to be translated into another form which is more modern. For example, a movie in an ancient film record should be redesigned into a more modern video.

Access to the researchers: It is also one of the common challenges. Senior researchers may have a lot of information like stories, precious experiences, and personal communications that might be important for researchers. But the problem is, they do not document it. They just save it in their memory. If a researcher is lucky enough, they might get the information. But when the researchers are not lucky, they will not get the information because those old researchers might have retired or passed away.

Search for the exact information: In the literature review process, researchers should search thoroughly to get the exact information. Sometimes, the information may look like what we are searching for, but it is not actually related to the topic.

5. Conclusion

A well-written literature review is a key component in the dissertation or research paper. As many students and researchers will attest, the primary problem with writing a review is being able to identify and discuss the many academic works which are relevant to their study. Not only do the researchers have to present the opinions of others who have studied similar issues, they also have to evaluate those opinions. This is a very difficult task, and only those who are extremely knowledgeable on the subject are able to accurately evaluate the work of others. This is an important skill to develop for a researcher as it demonstrates an ability to critically evaluate differing points of view. Furthermore, it is important to present a well-written and articulate review as this is often judged as a benchmark for their own work. An informative and well-written review will provide the reader with an argument and a point of view on the topic, and the reader is much more likely to appreciate and accept the author’s assertions.