Discussion Thread: AI Research Tools and Proper Use AI Research Tools
Serenity3203
Chapter6forHtdylr.pptx
PowerPoint 6 Structuring a narrative review
Chapter 6 from
How to do your literature review
This is PowerPoint 6 for Chapter 6 …
We will look at
Possible structures for a narrative review
A funnelled structure
A thematic structure
A chronological structure
A comparison-based structure
A mixed structure
All of this is discussed in much more detail in Chapter 6 of How to Do Your Literature Review
Possible structures for a narrative review
| Funnelled | The review begins by surveying the general area, narrowing down to the specific topic of interest. | |
| Thematic | The review is based around themes which are either decided before the review starts or are decided as the review itself gets underway. | |
| Chronological | There is an important time-based dimension to the review, usually to show how ideas and/or practice have changed over a period of time. | |
| Comparison-based | The comparison may be around methodological differences, or the competing views of particular authors or teams of researchers about substantive issues. | |
| Mixed | Combining various elements of each of the other approaches. |
Funnelled
Funnelling the literature review involves moving from the broad to the narrow, the general to the specific. You start with wider, more contextual aspects of your topic and gradually sharpen your focus until you reach the particular aspect of the topic in which you are interested.
The funnel structure
Work that is generally relevant: the big picture
Nearer to your research
Closely related work
Thematic
You may organise your review around the themes that you discover as you progress through your search. This is especially useful where there is no clear linear structure to the relationship between sub-areas of work in your topic of interest, or where a broad topic branches off straightforwardly into several themes.
The thematic structure
Main topic
Theme 2
Theme 3
Theme 1
Chronological
This structure is useful where the topic clearly has a time basis to it.
You may, for example, be interested in how ideas and practice have moved over time.
Here, databases and discovery tools provide an easy route to examining change, by offering the option to examine material in chronological order.
The chronological structure
Topic: Changing perspectives on x
Time 1
Time 5
Time 4
Time 3
Time 2
1950
2020
Comparison-based
If there is a noticeable issue about different perspectives or methods generating conspicuously different kinds of findings and understandings, it may be a good idea to structure a review around these different perspectives. Different worldviews, ideologies or methodological positions may lead to very different ideas about the nature of research, and thereafter to practice stemming from that research.
The comparison-based structure
Perspective A
Perspective B
Methodological papers arguing for Perspective A
Example sources
Example sources
Methodological papers arguing for Perspective B
Example sources
Mixed
It may be that a combination of the previous scaffolds would be appropriate. The review may take shape around how research has happened over time, with themes, subjects, issues and controversies being discussed. The review may, for example, start with a historical context, charting the progress of knowledge and understanding in the area, moving on to a thematic perspective and proceeding to a discussion of the influence of particular authors on the field.
If the topic is one that is well known to you – if, say, you have experience as a practising professional – and you have a good grasp of the themes, dialogue and argument in the field and around the area you wish to review, this may well be the best choice for you.
The mixed structure
Topic
Historical perspective
Policy
Parallels in other areas
Substantive issues
Summary
To have integrity, meaning and cohesion, a literature review needs structure.
That structure will guide the ways that you view, categorise, place and discuss the material that you include in your work.
Various basic structures can provide this cohesion and integrity.
A funnelled structure moves from discussion of general matters to matters specifically focused on a defined question.
A thematic structure draws themes from the literature that summarise the main issues.
A chronological structure focuses on and analyses differences and changes over time.
A comparison-based structure may be best if there is a conspicuous difference in opinion about substance or methodology around research on the topic.
A mixed structure, perhaps the most common arrangement, combines elements of all the others.
There is no ‘best’ structure. It depends on the topic, the question, and the nature of the field.
Activity
Choose one or more of the very broad topics outlined the left-hand column of the table below.
Suggest a targeted question for the topic.
Suggest a structure for a literature review based on the alternatives given in this PowerPoint (Funnelled, Thematic, etc).
Say why you think it would be feasible and appropriate to structure your literature review in this way.
| Topic | Question | Structure |
| Definitions of child poverty | ||
| Changing views on the treatment of burns | ||
| The marketisation of education | ||
| Terrorism as a political tool | ||
| Globalization and its impact on the supply of skilled workers |
image1.jpeg
image2.jpeg
image11.png
image12.svg
image13.png
image14.svg
image3.png
image4.svg
image5.png
image6.svg
image7.png
image8.svg
image9.png
image10.svg
