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Guide For Chapter 2

The document provides guidance on writing an effective literature review chapter for a dissertation. It emphasizes that the literature review sets the dissertation within the context of existing research [1] and should not just catalog references but identify trends, arguments for and against ideas, and how theories apply in different situations. [2] It suggests collecting information systematically and relating all sources to the dissertation objectives. [3] The literature review should be a critical analysis rather than just descriptions.

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69 views4 pages

Guide For Chapter 2

The document provides guidance on writing an effective literature review chapter for a dissertation. It emphasizes that the literature review sets the dissertation within the context of existing research [1] and should not just catalog references but identify trends, arguments for and against ideas, and how theories apply in different situations. [2] It suggests collecting information systematically and relating all sources to the dissertation objectives. [3] The literature review should be a critical analysis rather than just descriptions.

Uploaded by

babygirl17tt
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Chapter 2 – Literature Review

General guide for Chapter 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

It is important when writing a dissertation that previously published work


relevant to your study is examined and reviewed. It shows you how your work
relates to what other researchers have done. That is to say it sets your
dissertation within the context of existing knowledge and therefore it is
essential that you show quite clearly, how your investigation compares with
what has been done before.

Normally this part of the dissertation ought not to be slightly regarded.

A review is not, therefore, a catalogue of references, each one briefly


summarised. Rather your writing should pick out trends and patterns, giving
explanations for and against particular situations. It may also relate theory to
practice and argue, why in certain situations, established theories and ideas
may/ may not fit.

In some reviews, you are expected to provide a critical insight into the topic
under investigation. This is not always easy to do, but if you know from the
start the sort of thing that is expected, it may save you from making
fundamental mistakes later. It will help you to understand relevant
theoretical aspects about the topic and provide up-to-date examples,
especially as it relates to best-practice standards. It will also give you ideas
regarding the best methodology to use and provide information which you
can compare with your own findings. This sort of material is always very
useful when you come to tackle the analysis chapter/section which is
always a difficult part to write.

You should realise that academics place great emphasis on literature reviews
and many well respected periodicals often commissioned imminent scholars to
write reviews on various subjects. Literature reviews are therefore, important
academic works in their own rights.

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Collecting Literature

You should undertake the review in a systematic way; keeping full records and
notes of all sources used, together with full bibliographical records; all the
references cited in your writing will form the reference list in your completed
proposal/dissertation, so accurate records are essential.

Collecting the information is only the first part of conducting a literature review.
How you use the information is equally important.

How Does The Information Relate To Your Dissertation?

Always relate the material to the objectives of the investigation.

Whatever you read, whether it is either a chapter in a book or an article in a


journal - ask yourself - why am I reading this reference/journal? Do I want a
summary of the topic or isolated examples to back up and provide evidence to
support a particular point?

Never read anything without an objective in mind.

Obviously, when you are just beginning your literature review you will need to
read most material to get acquainted with the topic. After the very early stages,
read everything with a critical and discerning eye, looking for particular relevant
information. Ideally, dissertations should be critical and analytical and not
mere descriptions. By asking Who? Why? What? When? Where? And How? …
about the information you collect, will start you in the right direction.

Primary vs Secondary Data.

There is a very important difference between primary and secondary data.


Primary sources contain information, which is new at the time of publication.
Secondary sources contain material, which is second hand and has been
published before. Greater reliance can be placed on primary sources or
actual research evidence.
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Relevance- Descriptive vs Discussion

It is important to gauge how much you can rely on the information you
collect.

Also, are you reading facts or opinions or descriptions or discussions? Port-of-


Spain is a wonderful capital city; Port-of-Spain is a capital city - but whether it
is wonderful depends on your opinions about cities.

You may well need opinion and it is a very useful exercise to compare the views
of different researchers, however, it is essential that you can recognise what you
read is based on either empirical reset or bright idea.

NB

It is important that you are able to demonstrate that you have engaged with the
literature relating to your topic in a meaningful and purposeful way – there
must be critical and insightful engagement with the areas relevant to your
study. To this end you should endeavour to use relevant, current ( there is a
school of thought which suggests information cited in the review should be
contemporary and not go further back than 5 years or so; of course there
exceptions to this rule so don’t feel straight-jacketed; be informed though) and
suitable literature to assist you in completing your task.

The literature review requires skills of selection (of material), of précis (or careful
reduction) and of order (how best to present the narrative).

Make sure your literature review relates to, informs and contributes to seeking
the ‘solution’ to your objective. With this in mind it is quite acceptable that
particular models related to your area of study be introduced in the literature
review, where the aim is to provide a framework against which your own
primary data can be collected.

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When they are used, they must show application of your work within their
depiction – not a mere text book replication. But whether models are used here
or not, the Literature Review must provide you with info and ideas that can be
used to compile your questionnaires etc.

References/referencing

The university uses the Harvard and the Harvard method alone. Be careful that
you do not unwittingly impose the Vancouver system into your work.

Sufficient information for referencing:

In text: Author (date and pg. no)

In references: Author (date of publication) Full and correct title, (including


edition) Name of publisher, Place of Publication

Journals: Similar but add edition/volume (and issue number where


applicable) and page numbers of article

Plagiarism

Every year students fail their dissertation and degree because of issues of
plagiarism. There are several sorts of plagiarism:

 Straightforward copying (eg from books) is one


 Submitting work that is similar to someone else’s is another
 Poor academic practice (eg not referencing properly) can be another

Remember the Literature Review is usually and particularly marked against the
Following and carries some 20% of your final mark:

 Suitable and adequate range


 Full and correct referencing of statements

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