Question

reviewing literature is an essential part of the research process. using practical example , illustrate the steps in developing literature review.

Answer 1

The steps involved in doing a literature review are:

1. Choose a research question or a topic depending upon the nature of your research.

2. The next step is to make a list of keywords that would be used to search for research that has been done on the same or similar topic or on the same question.

3. Locate trusted sources such as peer reviewed journals

4. If required, narrow down the search by using Boolean operators AND, OR, NOT so that the searches are more specific and time saving.

1. Having narrowed down a few the next step would be to sift through them to understand the research problem, the key concepts, methods used, results, the insights it gives and importantly if it has been cited and by which agencies
2. It is important to keep track of the resources to be able to cite them later on.
3. Identify debates, theories and gaps in the literature
4. The final step would be to write the Literature review. While writing it , the following has to be kept in mind:

· The structure ; chronological, thematic, methodological or theoretical

· The introduction will depend upon the nature of the paper. If it is a dissertation, it has to touch upon the research problem. However if it is a research paper, the introduction has to be in greater detail, perhaps including the researcher’s involvement as an area of interest.

· The body has to include the researches that were narrowed down, cite them and their relevance to the research problem addressed

· Highlight the gaps and how the research problem taken up addresses those

· The conclusion must emphasize how this research will add to the knowledge base of the topic /theory under consideration.

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