Research Methodology- Literature Review

1. Literature Review
By
Mr. Mutahar AL-Nahari

2. Parts of Presentation
The topic will be discussed in terms of:
Definitions
Purpose of Literature Review(LR)
Issues considered before Writing LR
Relationships of LR with Components of Research
 Organizing LR
Steps & Strategies for Writing LR

3. A literature review is “an account of what has been published on a
topic by accredited scholars and researchers”( Taylor, D. and
Procter,M.2005)
It is the critical description and synthesis of a number of research that
lead to final report regarding the rationale for the study” (Seliger and
Shohami, 1989,P. 82).
Definitions

4. Two Types of Literature
Conceptual Literature: Concepts and Theories
Empirical Literature: Relevant Previous Studies

5. Why Literature Review?
• To Rationalize significance of problem
• To Identify relationships between IDEAS and PRATICE.
• To Find out important VARIABLES relevant to the topic.
*Gaining
methodological
insights
• To Recognize HOW researchers use their methods and approaches.
Avoiding fruitless
approaches
• To Show how YOUR Study to Existing Literature( not mere duplication)

6. Before Preparing Literature Review, Consider
the Following Issues:
Plagiarism

7. Relationship of Literature Review with other
Components of Research
Research
Methods
Analysis,
Results and
Discussion

8. How to Organize Literature Review

9. Steps and Strategies for Writing Literature
Review
Steps Strategies
Locate Relevant
Literature.
Identify key terms in your topic.
Identify key authors and journals.
Use state-of-the-art articles.
Scan tables of contents from key
journals.
Use reference lists from articles,
books, etc.
Avoid the popular press.

10. Steps and Strategies for Writing Literature
Review
Steps Strategies
Critically read the
literature.
Identify strengths & weaknesses
of individual articles
Identify strengths and weaknesses
of the field as a whole

11. Steps and Strategies for Writing Literature
Review
Steps Strategies
Prepare to write
Investigate expected length and
format of the LR.
Make a preliminary outline.
Organize the literature you will
cover.
Limit the scope of the review
to the topic at hand.

12. Steps and Strategies for Writing Literature
Review
Steps Strategies
Write the introduction.
Write sub-sections.
Use transition markers.
Synthesize and critically evaluate LR.
Be careful not to plagiarize.
Practise summarizing & paraphrasing.
Write the Review.

13. Steps and strategies for writing a literature
Review
Steps Strategies
Indicate
the gap.
Use the review to lead to your
research questions.
(Unresolved issues)

14. References
• Bell, J. (1999). Doing your Research Project. Philadelphia: Open University Press.
• Paltridge B. and Starfield, S. (2007). Thesis and Dissertation Writing in a
Second Language. New York. Routledge.
• Seliger, H. & Shohamy, E. (1989). Second Language Research Methods. Oxford:
Oxford University Press.
• Taylor, D. and Procter, M. (2008). The Literature Review: A Few Tips On
Conducting It. Health Sciences Writing Centre, University of Toronto
• Wallwork, A. (2011). English for Writing Research Paper. New York: Springer

15. The End