3 Types of Literature Reviews

1. Quantitative Study - "provides an understanding of the existing knowledge of the problem and rationale for the research questions" (M & S, p. 119).

2. Qualitative Study - "researchers present literature discussions and integrate criticism of the literature into the text of a study" (M & S, p. 119).

3. Meta-analysis - "summarizes statistically the results of prior research" (M & S, p. 119).

Literature Reviews Vary at Different Stages of the Study:

1. Preliminary Literature Review - helps to phrase foreshadowed problem statements and to develop a theoretical frame,

2. Annotated Bibliography - a way to remind oneself of the literature surveyed

3. Extensive Literature Review - a theoretically framed in-depth review of all relevant literature to the study

Organization of a Literature Review: (see M & S, p. 141)

1. Introduction - states the purpose or scope of the review

 

2. Critical review - subsections relate to the selection

& significance of the problem. Do not list one study after another, but rather classify, compare & contrast as they relate to your problem statement.

 

3. Summary - states the status of what exists on the topic and

identifies the gaps which provide the rationale for your study.

Purpose of Literature Review

Every research study requires the researcher to review pertinent literature on the topic. Some researchers conduct meta-analytical literature reviews using content (statistical) analysis.

1. To avoid unnecessary duplication of research.

2. To identify variables that may influence the problem

3. To identify promising procedures and instruments

4. To limit the problem.

 

Purpose of Literature Review Presented in your Study:

1. Illustrates the importance of the topic

2. Shows the lack of research on the topic

Step 1 - Select a research topic.

Step 2 - Limit topic to a research problem statement which appears feasible to do in one study.

Step 3 - Identify constructs, variables & population (quantitative) or constructs, concepts & events (qualitative) & type of study as key words for a literature search.

Step 4 - Conduct a literature search keeping track of databases, years reviewed, key terms, & boolean configurations that you used.

Step 5 - Submit for Literature Review Assignment:

(Part 1-see example) a rated bibliography,

(Part 2-see example) a description of the search (i.e., databases & years searched with the number of hits found, keyterms applied, and boolean configurations/limitations used), and

(Part 3-see example) an outline on how you plan to organize the writing of the review