Annotated Bibliography And Literature Review
Types and purpose of writing
Aims
To examine why people write
To consider the types of writing which are available
To review the 4 main front line texts
To discuss this in terms of ways you will critically review the materials which are part of your review
Why people write
Conveying and message
Engaging an audience
Demonstrating their understanding
Show academic credentials
To share ideas and gain credibility (nationally and internationally)
To make changes in practice and society
Educate others
Types of writing
There are many reasons for writing
Leading writing to fall into categories
Fiction and non-fiction
Biographical/observational works
For pleasure, e.g. novel
Conveyance of information/theory
To persuade others
For attention/notoriety
For the academic the non-fiction is generally the most useful
Are we reading less?
There is a current concern that we read don’t read enough
Early years are concerned about the effect of this and there has been a lot of work with parents to look at this
There is some discussion that whilst this is true there are assumptions made which generally relate to reading books
Maybe methods of communication have just changed –we use social media, text, email etc….
https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=773hbiCTkg4
Academic materials
There are a range of academic reading sources available to us
These will change with the level of study and what we want to achieve at the time
The materials academics use to research/increase knowledge within their disciplines include:
Textbooks
Journals
Policy documents
Reports
Websites
Forums
Archives
Audio
Newspapers
Databases
Conferences
Newsfeeds
Text books
Early academic study comes from the text book
Skills textbooks
Subject textbooks
These most often represent an introduction or guide and will give a concise guide to an area
For instance the work of a theorist might be contained within a few pages or paragraphs
Titles reflect the field/subject or sub-field, there is a blurb, or there are multiple copies (essential reading)
Text books and PG study
Post-graduates are expected to read beyond the text book, although this will often be the starting place
From identifying key authors and studies we can consider things in greater depth
BUT – the reason why it is not the best for PG level is because it condenses and overgeneralises
If you consider the needs to be critical, more depth is needed
PG study is about independence and independent working
Readers, handbooks and encyclopaedias
Readers can be collections of classic/influential papers around a subject area
Chapters could have been writing specifically/or represent a collection of articles – this is useful in terms of bring work together which is seen to be influential (Editor’s choice)
But could be seen to be selective/not representing the full range (Useful for PG study and helpful to look at a range, but looking at and referencing the original might be useful)
Handbooks and Specialist encyclopaedias
Similar to readers but tend to be commissioned/written specifically for purpose
Useful in terms of bringing academic writing together
Could be an overview of research, theory, or methodology in a specific area
Useful to understand the contemporary situation
BUT consider what choice of writing is provided
Choice and selection by the writing is probably one of the areas of concern throughout
Limiting reading and limited understanding
Use of limited resources means reduced understanding
Limited references
Referencing work without reading (understanding) or too much citation
Rewriting without thinking (cut and paste)
Writing which is informed on extensive reading will demonstrate greater understanding and knowledge
Front line text (4 main forms)
Theoretical text:
Includes research based writing looking at experiments, observations
Could be based on the writers own research or that others
Based upon hypothesis
Can be based on existing theory
Can help the reader understand the social world and make predictions for the future
Front line text (4 main forms)
2. Research or data driven (literature reports):
Predictions or hypothesis derived from a model
The sources of the findings will be varied, including behaviour, people talking, written text and meaning of artefacts
The researcher will present the data and argument in a particular way and outline outcomes within the report
The report relates to understanding the phenomenon
Helps understand where things go wrong and to influence policy makers
Front line text (4 main forms)
3. Practice literature :
Provides an account of how things are done
Most often written by experienced practitioners, who want to convey how they work / what works well
Strong links with practice, e.g. Nursing, social work, teaching or the social world
Could be about day to day experiences or something very challenging
Front line text (4 main forms)
4. Policy literature :
Emphasis is upon changes to practice and is often value based
Mostly produced by policy makers or those who are working primarily with policy (delivery of services)
Government ministers will influence and produce policy literature to campaign and propose change
There might be a focus upon making a change take place, e.g. pressure groups
Critical consideration of frontline literature
At first sight frontline research can seem impressive in terms of being factual and academic
However, the development of critical reading skills should lead to further evaluation and consideration of the intention of the writer
Greatest trust can be gained through understanding writers’ views and intensions, looking at their declaration of bias, and limitations
Peer review and editing will have changed the writing, but the reviewer also has their own bias and expectations
Other factors include fitting the journal and even the page/word count
Internet sources (Opportunities & Dangers)
Much support and frontline literature is available electronically and in hard copy
Internet information is accessible, through the use of search engines, websites, and downloadable files
BUT potential pitfalls:
Convenience replaces hard work as we cut and paste rather then reading and writing (Plagiarism)
Unreliability
Reliability can be checked through
Peer-review articles published in academic journals
The journals credentials
Research journals which have been through publication process
Checking the publishers credibility
Origination within HE or well established organisations
There is a wealth of opportunities though open access, blogs etc.
Check sources for authenticity
How to write critically
Writing critically is not the same as criticising
The critical literature review
It’s over to you…
Read the following article and critique it:
Chocolate with high Cocoa content as a weight-loss accelerator