Module

shelethia25

12thEd.Chapter3.pdf

Home >Education homework help >Module

Practical Research: Planning and Design

Twelfth Edition

Chapter 3

Review of the Related

Literature

Understanding the Role of the Literature

Review (1 of 3)

1. Discover if someone has already answered your

research question.

2. Find new ideas, perspectives, and approaches.

3. Learn about other researchers who conduct work in the

same area.

4. Identify controversial issues and gaps in understanding

that have not yet been resolved.

Understanding the Role of the Literature

Review (2 of 3)

5. Learn how others have handled methodological and

design issues in studies similar to your own.

6. Uncover sources of data that you may not have known

existed.

7. Discover established measurement tools.

8. Interpret and make sense of your findings and tie your

results to the work of those who have preceded you.

9. Bolster your confidence that your topic is one worth

studying.

Understanding the Role of the Literature

Review (3 of 3)

• Bottom line:

– The more you know about investigations and

perspectives related to your topic, the more effectively

you can tackle your own research problem.

Strategies for Locating Related Literature

Identify one or more keywords (words or short phrases

summarizing your research topic) and then:

• Use the library catalog and browse the holdings.

– The library’s collection of academic journals, popular

magazines, and newspapers are collectively known

as periodicals.

• Use indexes, abstracts, and other general references.

• A few quick rules of thumb:

1. Try to use materials with recent copyright dates.

2. Use sources that have credibility with experts in the

field.

Using Online Databases

• Online databases are usually the preferred method to

ascertain information.

– PsycINFO

– ERIC

– Google Scholar™

Consulting with Reference Librarians

• Librarians are there to support you in your work

• Consult library professionals early in your literature

review process

• Don’t worry! You won’t look foolish asking for help! Quite

the opposite!

Surfing the Internet

• Most are familiar with the process of using a search

engine, however, consider these tips:

1. Use at least two keywords to limit your search

2. Type a plus sign (+) before any keyword you definitely

want to be used in your search

3. To search a phrase as opposed to a single word, use

quotation marks around your phrase

And remember, Wikipedia is never an authoritative source!

Considering Those That Have Gone before

• Another important consideration is to make sure that you

are considering the work of scholars that have gone

before you.

• We suggest tracking down sources cited by three or more

authors.

Identify Your Sources

• When you find a source, make sure you obtain enough

information to provide an appropriate citation. This is

important for two reasons:

1. You may want to track the source down later to obtain

further information.

2. Future readers of your research may want to track your

source.

• For sources found on the Internet, it is good practice to

record the URL and/or the Digital Object Identifier (DOI).

Planning a Literature Search

• When planning your research:

1. Write the problem in its entirety on the page or computer

screen.

2. Write each subproblem in its entirety.

3. Brainstorm topics you need to learn more about.

4. Go to the library catalog, its online databases, and the

Internet to seek out resources.

Use Your Library Time Efficiently (1 of 2)

• Before beginning your work, consider these time saving tips:

1. Before you go to the library, acquire appropriate software to

create a database for the resources you are going to gather.

2. Identify the materials you want to read and determine

whether your library has them.

3. Develop an organized plan of attack for finding the sources

you have identified.

4. Track down your sources.

Use Your Library Time Efficiently (2 of 2)

5. When you find a useful resource, record both (a) essential

bibliographic details and (b) potentially helpful details about

its contents.

6. Identify strategies for obtaining sources that are not

immediately available.

– Put a hold on a checked-out book.

– Recall the book.

– Submit a request for the source through interlibrary loan.

– Check Google Books for older, out-of-print books.

– Order books from a bookstore.

– Use an online document delivery service.

Evaluate, Organize, Synthesize (1 of 2)

• Determine for yourself whether the conclusions are

justified based on the data.

• Organize the ideas to address the problem.

Evaluate, Organize, Synthesize (2 of 2)

• Synthesize what you’ve learned

– Identify common themes

– Show how approaches to the topic have changed

over time

– Compare and contrast theoretical positions

– Describe general trends

– Identify and explain discrepant or contradictory

findings

Writing a Clear and Cohesive Literature

Review (1 of 2)

1. Get the proper psychological orientation.

– Know what you want to do.

2. Develop an organizational plan or outline.

3. Emphasize relatedness.

– how the literature is related to the problem.

4. Use logical transitions.

Writing a Clear and Cohesive Literature

Review (2 of 2)

5. Know the difference between describing the literature

and plagiarizing it.

6. Always give credit where credit is due.

7. Minimize your use of direct quotations from other

people’s writings.

8. Summarize what you have said.

9. Remember that your first draft will almost certainly NOT

be your last draft.

10.Ask others for advice and feedback.