Literature Review Essay

658 Words2 Pages

The purpose and essential qualities of a focused, thorough and well-designed literature review.

By: Dennis Govender
Course: BTEMC 2
Subject RSMG101

Contents

1 Introduction
2 Definition
7 The review process
8 Sources
9 writing the review report
10 evaluate the research review

Introduction

As part of research there has to be a means of evaluating what is currently known about the topic of research and is performed once the topic and purpose of study has been identified. Brink et al (2012, p.70)
The literature review as a part of the research process is for the researcher to familiarise themselves with the topic and if it should be researched or not. Brink et al (2012, p.70)
The following will outline what makes a focused, thorough and well-designed review instead of one which is fragmented, poorly planned and incomplete.

What is a literature review?

A literature review is performed before research is done as a way to analyse all published that is known about the topic to be researched. It is not a collection of annotations but is a critical analysis of the literature at hand. Brink et al. (2012)

Clarify your topic and purpose of study.

Identify the literature that will be reviewed
The articles and information can be researched using Google scholar or another search engine by using key descriptors of the studies (the descriptors should be noted). The university library can also be of help in this regard. It may also be advisable to search for other literature reviews which have been done. Be sure to include key or landmark studies done.

Analyse the literature
Read over the articles then group them into topics, subtopics and published date.
Define key ter...

... middle of paper ...

...e to and advance theory, conclusions and implications, suggestions for future research towards the end of the review.
1. Flesh out your outline with details from your analysis

Writing the review
Developing a coherent essay

Conclusion

The author has outlined the qualities of a well-planned effective literature review. The main functions are to provide what is currently known about the research topic, with the gathering of data be it statistics or qualitative data, a context in the conception and implementation of the research by critical evaluation of the data gathered. Finding gaps in the research already done and comparatively analyse the different sources. It should be noted that the review has to be an analysis of the research done and not be just a collection of paragraphs with references as this may be an ineffective way to initiate a research topic.

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