As
you begin your Ph.D., or indeed any type of research, you will be required to
conduct a review of the literature. Are you unfamiliar with the term
"literature review" or why it is required? This section discusses the
purpose and scope of the literature review.
The
literature review explores previously published work on the subject of your
research. Its purpose is to inform the reader about the state of your field of
study and to critically appraise existing literature. The primary goals are to:
·
Summarize what has
already been done in your research area to demonstrate your knowledge and
understanding of the field and how your research relates to it.
·
Identify gaps, problems,
or limitations in existing research to place your work within the context of
the larger field and make room for your unique contribution.
·
Identify sources that
will help you with your research and provide context or frameworks for one’s
analysis.
The
literature review is critical for demonstrating both your academic knowledge
(identifying and evaluating appropriate resources) and the development of your
analytical thinking in response to this material.
The literature review is not intended to be:
·
A collection of all
materials related to your research field, regardless of their relevance to your
project.
·
Annotated bibliography of
books and articles
·
A material synopsis with
no critical commentary
In
many disciplines, the outcomes from the literature are usually written as a
separate section or chapter of your research, but this is not always the case.
Certain disciplines have their own set of conventions, or the conventions may
vary according to the type of research conducted.
LR - A valuable research instrument
Despite
the fact that a literature review is a formal requirement of a research project, it is critical in the development of your research. It should not be
regarded as a time-consuming exercise to be completed as quickly as possible or
as something to scurry through at the conclusion of the thesis!
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