Module 1: Literature Review

Where do I even begin?

So your professor has told you that you need to create a Literature Review for your thesis and you have seen a couple Power Point Presentations from the class and on YouTube and are still a little lost? Do not worry, this module will help you clear all those doubts you might have! Remember that your professor will always assist you and answer questions or doubts you might have. They are there to help you, but you must ask for their assistance.

 

What is a Literature Review (LR)?

Machi and McEvoy (2016) state that a Literature Review is "A written document that develops a case to establish a thesis. The case is based on a comprehensive understanding of he current knowledge of the topic. A literature review synthesizes current knowledge pertaining to the research question. This synthesis is the foundation that, through the use of logical argumentation. allows the researcher to build a convincing thesis case."

A literature review discusses information from a particular subject; within a certain time frame; which should have also been published.

A LR follows an organizational pattern where it combines a summary of a specific topic and links different sources together (synthesis). If you are creating a summary, then just summarize the important information from the source used, but please note that when you synthesize you are not summarizing as these are two different ways to look at information.

• A summary will restate the information of one or more sources (in this case many sources) without providing new insight or trying to reach new conclusions.
• A synthesis will draw on many sources to reach a broader conclusion.

Primary sources and secondary sources

Your professor may ask for both primary and secondary sources. These terms might be new or you have heard them before but are unsure what source is what. Below will be a simple explanation for you to understand which is primary and secondary (almost everyone, including the author when I completed my masters, used both primary and secondary sources in their thesis).

Primary sources provide raw information and first hand evidence such as books, statistical data, and transcripts and empirical studies.

Secondary sources provide second hand information and commentaries from other researchers. These sources are journal articles, academic books, and even a Literature Review that cites a certain study.  

A literature review can also combine old and new material (different interpretations) from the specific topic (this may include theories that were used but are currently modified or adapted).

 

Why are literature reviews important?

When you become an expert (professional) in a specific field, then a literature review keeps you up to date with the most current information in the field.

For academia, the literature review helps with credibility in a particular field.

For students, the literature review gives a solid background for an investigation for a term paper, research investigation, or theses, and even for a journal publication.

New ideas or theories can be discovered utilizing literature reviews and sourcing all the information on a particular subject and then creating new ideas based on what has already been written about a subject.

Make sure you narrow down a topic

Whatever area of study you have chosen, there are several hundred articles (at minimum) for you to use. Because of this make sure that you have narrowed down your interest (topic). Your professor will help you in this aspect most of the time.

To summarize, limit the scope of your search and topic and it will make your life a lot easier.

Remember that Interamerican has a fantastic database that is easily accessible so that you can search for information in your related field of study.  Centro de Acceso a la Información (inter.edu)

Should current or past information be used?

This all depends on the area of study. In sciences; current and up to date information is critical as this field is constantly evolving. Information that is just a couple years old can be irrelevant so make sure you only use current information in this field.

If you are writing a literature review in social sciences or humanities, then a background of the topic may be needed and important to see how the perspectives have changed throughout the years.

In Education (Humanities in some Universities) then background information is critical and a key element in regards to theories that some students will use for historical content. 

How to convey the information with your reader?

Sometimes a literature review has a direct thesis statement while at other times it does not. If you do or do not that is between you and your professor (advisor). What everyone should do is to make sure you tell the readers what to expect when reading your thesis.

How to organize the information found?

A literature review is like many other academic papers must contain three areas: an introduction, Body, and Conclusions (recommendations). The introduction (this is ALWAYS done) will give a quick idea of the topic and the organizational pattern it is set up as. The body is set up in

three different ways; chronologically, thematically, or methodologically. The conclusion should include what you have come up with so far and where you could proceed with more analysis (study) as well as any recommendations you have for any future work. I cannot stress how

important an annotated bibliography is when writing a LR.

How to organize the information?

Always try to use more than one “search engine”. Google, Books, Magazines, Journals, Articles, Interviews, are all good sources of information. Do not rely on just one. The CAI (Interamerican Library) is a great place to find information as they have professional search tools to

assist finding reliable and trustworthy information.

Different ways to set up the literature review (There are many but these two are very common) 

There are several ways to set up your literature review (your professor may have one already established for you). Here are some examples of different ways to set them up.  If you are allowed to use any you wish, then I recommend the one that is easiest for you and one that

follows the Literature Review that you are creating. 

• Chronological: The Literature Review you are writing follows a chronological order. If this is sounds like your LR then try to limit the area of study to one or two areas only so that the review will not lose its chronological focus.
• By publication: Your literature Review can follow publication dates. This was you can find out if there is a more important trend that can be followed. This can be used to reveal changes in research who have written the studies (if their opinion has changed). 

Once you’ve decided on the organizational method for the body of the review, the sections you need to include in the paper should be easy to figure out. They should arise out of your organizational strategy. In other words, a chronological review would have sub-sections for each

vital time period. A thematic review would have sub-topics based upon factors that relate to the theme or issue.

 

NOTE* To use descriptive statistics in a qualitative designed study will be acceptable and adding the descriptive part will not make the design a mix method. It would be very difficult to use inferential statistics since this would require a designed and well planned study. For questions on

this you may contact our Research Specialist or your professor in regards to your program and area of study.

 

Matrix that you can fill out to assist you in your Literature Review

Author(s)

Annotated bibliography publication year and where found (journal, book, etc…)

Subject/Keywords

Study Design (qualitative or quantitative or mixed methods

Main Findings

Relevant to My Research Question (how)