Writing for Change:

Literature review in focus

School of Social Sciences

Dr Krishna K. Shrestha
krishna.shrestha@unsw.edu.au

Thursday, 30th January 2014

Southasia Institute of Advanced Studies

Writing for Change: Pursuing social science in times of transition in Nepal

[ Plan for this session ]

I.

CONTEXT
II.

Thinking about literature review SIX points Doing a literature review, better! FIVE steps

III.
Dr Krishna K. Shrestha

III.

USEFUL TIPS

Context
Most research papers have a literature review section (or embedded throughout)

You may also need to discuss literature in a number of other sections

(e.g. introduction, method, discussion)

The literature refers to the previous works

(i.e. theoretical, empirical, policy etc both primary & secondary sources)

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Literature review:
THINK ABOUT A PAPER:

Structure, Content & Connection

Title, Abstract, Key words Introduction Literature review Research method Result Analysis Conclusion

process
process

How can we write the LITERATURE REVIEW BETTER???

Literature review
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TWO key questions

THINKING ABOUT LIT REVIEW
What are the fundamental considerations of LITERATURE REVIEW? How can we work with literature systematically? What is the purpose of the literature review? What are the characteristics of a good literature review? When should you write the literature review? How is the literature review structured? What are the key problems of writing a literature review?
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DOING LITERATURE REVIEW

How can we actually do LITERATURE REVIEW? How to organise sources for the literature review? How to evaluate the literature? How to summarize your readings? How to determine the structure and style (of writing)? How to ensure the quality of the literature review?

Some useful TIPS

Thinking about LITERATURE REVIEW What do we need to consider before starting up the literature review? SIX points

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1. How to be systematic to work with the literature?

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(Source: OLeary, 2004, p. 67)

2. Be aware of the purpose of the lit. review ...

Provide intellectual context for your research:

(to locate your research in the context of what is already known in your topic area)

To link what has been done with what you will do AND create an idea for the Paper
HOW does it do this?

identify the gaps in the existing knowledge demonstrate your understanding of your field indicate where your study fits make a case for the necessity for your study
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3. What are key characteristics of a lit. review ?

Critical Relevant/Focused Up to date (but concise) Logical (justified, connected arguments)

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4. When to write the lit. review

A CONTINUING PROCESS From early background reading .. to just before you complete the paper

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5. What sort of structure ?

Start broadly

Narrows the focus down to your own study

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6. What are the common problems scenarios

Scenario 1: There is so much in my area that I could spend the next one year searching Some suggestions: - Need to stop searching broadly & focus on the problem at hand - Start identifying key researchers & their work - Determine suitable parameters on the search process

Scenario 2:
I have searched extensively and only found two papers on my topic Some suggestions: - Broaden the parameters of search (Need an awareness that the lit. review is critical) - All possible search avenues explored?; guidance from your supervisor

Scenario 3: My respected professor has told me not to waste too much time searching because he knows this research has not been done before
Suggestion: A systematic search is essential, and in this case need to 5/02/2014 ascertain that the professor is in fact correct

(Source: Learning Centre, University of Sydney, 2011)

2. Doing a literature review:

5 STEPS

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STEP 1: Selecting, organising & evaluating literature

Organising your sources:

1. 2. 3. Core works Directly related works Indirectly related works

Selecting materials:
1. 2. 3. Relevance Authority Currency

Evaluate literature:
- scanning - which one to read briefly - which to focus etc.
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STEP 2: Reading, critiquing & synthesising

Critical thinking:

Key questions when reading:

What does this paper say? How does it fit in with others I have read? How does it illustrate my ideas/create an alternative viewpoint? In light of this paper, what sort of research would I need to do?

For your problem/issue:

What is happening & why? How are things related? What can I add?

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STEP 3: Summarising & organising ideas

Take notes:
- What are the main points / theories / key issues raised in the text & summarise the main points. - Take details of any quotes, or page references that you think may be good to use in your literature review. - Make sure you keep track of all bibliographic information. - What is the author's purpose? - What conclusions has the author made?
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STEP 4: Determining the structure

Literature review as an Inverted Pyramid

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OR

Literature review as an onion:

e.g. Question: What is effect of global city ranking to the flow of international students at universities?

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Determining

Quotes or paraphrase?

Within-sentence quotation Block & intended quotations (>40 words) (definition/ maintaining writers intention)

Paraphrase (your interpretation/ your voice)

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Deciding the suitable style

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[Source: Study & Learning Centre, RMIT (2005)]

Actual writing(e.g.)

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[Source: Study & Learning Centre, RMIT (2005)]

STEP 5: Ensuring the quality of literature review

Selection of relevant literature Critique of the literature Summary and interpretation of the literature Integration of literature

Quality of the lit review depends largely on

Critical analysis and synthesis of views:

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[Source: Study & Learning Centre, RMIT (2005)]

Some useful TIPS

Read selectively Start writing early Focus on the key issues Keep complete & accurate bibliographical information

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Focus on the quality of arguments

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Be careful of some embarrassing mistakes

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EDITING

PUNCTUATIONS, GRAMMAR

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BE CAREFUL ABOUT

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If you hit the writer s block

Remember only you can do this job for you! Consider multiple writing points write when you read; Dot points as a start of ideas/ or findings; Ask 5W questions: who, what, why, when, where etc.?

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If you feel
Am I really writing a good literature review?

Self-analysis:
Standards too high? Discount compliments? You see others more on the balls? Time and luck dependence?

Think:
The literature review is only one of the first steps; There is more to your paper; You are an apprentice;

If everything fails; there is always

Some crappy Indian cinema, go driving in Ktm traffic, or else some responsible take of alcohol!

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Final final tips

Discipline & organisation are key Keep distraction minimum if you can! Enjoy the ride !!!

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Questions & reflections

GOOD LUCK

Dr Krishna K. Shrestha