Kohat University of Science and Technology

Level: MS. Linguistics

Course: Advance Research Methodology

Assignment Topic: What are the aims of reviewing previous literature and how to
write a good review chapter?

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Abdus Samad

Submitted by: Muhammad Jamshaid

Date of Submission: 27/01/2018

Introduction:

A literature review is an investigation or survey of books, scholarly articles and other sources
pertinent to an area of research, a theory or a particular problem, and providing a critical
evaluation, summary or description of these works. Literature review is arranged in order to
provide a general outline of explored sources while investigating certain topic and thus to
indicate to your readers that how your study fits into the broader field of knowledge.
(libguides.usc.edu)

A literature review is a discussion of published data in a specific subject area, sometimes within
a particular time period. Remdhani, et. al. (2014)

In short, it is a description of the relevant knowledge to a specific topic or field. It provides an

overview of who are the key writers, what has already been discovered and said, what questions
have been asked, what are the prevailing hypotheses and theories, and what methodologies have
been used and what methods would be appropriate and useful. A literature review in itself is not
a primary research but it is a report on other’s researches already conducted. (Emerald Group
Publishing)

A review of literature thus includes:

 Searching for up-to-date, accurate and reliable material on the subject or topic
 Providing a summary of the key points from the available literature
 Synthesizing these key concepts, ideas and theories
 Recognizing specific areas of controversy and debate
 Making the base for the use of these ideas for new research

The purpose of literature review is to update the reader with contemporary literature on a
particular topic and to justify the current and future research in the area. An excellent literature
review assembles knowledge from various sources. It should include explicit selection and
search strategy. Remdhani, et. al. (2014)

Systematic Literature Review:

The goal of a systematic literature review is to give complete list of studies, whether published or
unpublished, pertinent to a specific area of study. It is quite dissimilar from traditional reviews
that try to provide a summary of various studies. Systematic reviews make use of clear, rigorous
and explicit criteria for identification, critical evaluation and synthesis of all the available
literature on a specific topic. (Cronin at al, 2008)

Literature review achieves various aims: (a) It makes the reader known to the results of studies
conducted by others that are closely connected to the current study. (Wallen & Frankel, 1990) (b)
It connects a study to ongoing dialog about a topic in the literature, extending previous studies
and filling in gaps. (Rossman & Marshall, 1989) (c) It establishes the significance of the study.

A good literature review involves all the themes and subthemes discovered within the general
topic selected for the study. These themes are closely interlinked with the findings or methods of
the previous research. Besides, a literature review makes the ground for and provides
justifications for the methods and purpose of the original study being described. The most
appropriate and common sources to look for in review are books, governmental publications and
articles published in academic journals and newspapers. Denney and Tewkbury (2012)

Importance of Literature Review:

Literature review is important for various reasons. First, literature review compels a researcher to
educate himself on the available knowledge relevant to the study chosen. This will help in the
process of learning, and will also make the study stronger. Second, it shows to reader that the
researcher has a sound understanding of the topic. This yields credibility and integrity to the
author and his work’s argument. Also, reviewing prior literature pinpoint their shortcomings and
weaknesses. This can assist in arguing for the exploration of a specific research question. Thus,
the literature review of a research topic foreshadows the writer’s own study. Denney and
Tewkbury (2012)

Searching for Good Material

You have to make it sure that all the literature you are going to review is up-to-date. Classic texts
written by leading scholars presenting the formative theories and ideas would be sole exception.
Take a start from bibliography. Choose some books and then search the bibliographies provided
by these authors.

Steps to writing an effective literature review:

Gathering sources
Focus your topic: The aim of literature review is to include all of the knowledge available on a
given topic. If the is an extensive one, if will be difficult to cover too much available material.

Read with a purpose: Although you are required to provide a summary of the sources, a fine
literature review need you to separate key issues and themes which are related to your research
interests. Allyson Skene, University of Toronto

Evaluating sources
For each article or book consider:

Credentials: Is the author an expert in the field?

Evidence/Argument: Whether the provided evidence supports the conclusion? Whether the
evidence or argument complete or not?
When comparing sources, consider:
Conclusions: whether all researches provide similar conclusion or different/contradictory
opinions?
Omissions or gaps: The literature gives rise to what questions?

Writing a Literature Review:

Introduction: First of all identify your topic and discuss its significance. Then write a thesis
statement which will outline the conclusion you are going to draw from your synthesis and
analysis of the literature. Allyson Skene, University of Toronto

Body: In the body, assess and discuss the research in accordance with particular organizational
principles. Do not address each source separately. Each paragraph should address more than one
source. Do not address your sources in alphabetical manner because it will not help you in
developing key issues and themes which are central to your review. Allyson Skene, University of
Toronto

Organization Principles

Principle When to use

Theme When discussing key issues and central themes which are relevant to
the topic

Methodology When explaining various approaches adopted by a number of studies

review

Chronology When a topic can be better explained by discussing historical

changes

Conclusion: The conclusion includes a summary of what you find by reviewing the whole
literature. You are required to explain your conclusion which you have drawn from the analysis
about the general condition of the literature. What is already there or have been found and what
need to be searched or what is lacking. You should explain how your undertaking will fill the
gaps in the available body of knowledge on the topic. Allyson Skene, University of Toronto
 Working with
Literature

Find it Manage it Use it Review it

Understanding
Knowing the Reading Choosing your
the literature
literature types effieciently research topic
review purpose

Ensuring
Using available Keeping track of Developing your
adequate
resources refernces questions
coverage

Writing relevant Arguing your Writing

Honing your skills
anotations rationale purposefully

Informing your Working on style

study with theory and tone

Desigining
method