CASE STUDY

Case Study - Literature Review



Case Study - Literature Review

1. Why is it important for your research investigation that you be critical when reviewing the literature?

In search of the solution of the posed research questions performed preliminary review of the literature. However, the situation is not as clear as desired. Then you need to integrate existing knowledge about the issue and problem. It recommended conducting an assessment review of the literature relevant to select the works that contribute to sustaining or reframing of the problem, method selection and design of investigation to find the right answer and, therefore, a possible solution to the problem (Creswell et al 2004, p. 9).

2. What might Sarah's project tutor mean by suggesting that a critical literature review should be balanced?

By the term, balanced, critical literature review, the tutor meant that Sarah should include positive as well as contradictory point of views of different authors regarding the selected topic. This is an important part of the research because it gives an in-depth analysis of the foregoing studies and provides the diversified point of views of different scholars and authors regarding the chosen topic. To conduct an investigation, the researcher based on existing knowledge from previous jobs (Yardley 2000, p. 217). Therefore, the main purpose of the review of literature grounded in that knowledge. However, the initial review of the literature reveals the presence of contradictory elements that can lead the reader to doubt what to accept as truth. Only the critical analysis of the research will allow the researcher to take wise decisions. 3. What dos Sarah need to do to develop a literature review which is sufficiently critical, yet also sufficiently balanced? Explain what it is about Sarah's Literature Review that meets the criteria set out in the checklist boxes See Box 3.3. P: 65 and Box 3.4 p: 67 of Saunders (2009) for guidance.

Critical Review of Relevant Literature

As far as the critical review of the literature is concerned, Sarah must be following the below mentioned points:

Knowledge about the problem

Planning the research

Critical selection of publications

Identification of methods and designs

Possibilities to make predictions

Determination of the theoretical framework

Balancing the Literature Review

Several steps to writing a formal literature review:

1.Synthesize and evaluate information

2.Identify the key ideas of the literature

3.Identify the central idea of the literature review

4.Organize the main ideas of the literature review

5.Write the literature review

1. Synthesize and evaluate information

To prepare a literature review, you must think critically, read and write. You must evaluate, and synthesize information gathered through your research by highlighting the ideas and important trends and explaining their meaning.

Strategies for reading

1.During your reading, note themes or categories that emerge. They will serve you later to develop the plan of your literature review.

2.Notice how other authors classify their data and literature in their fields of study. It may be helpful to read reviews of the literature in your field in order to understand the structure.

Categories for analysis and comparison of structures

A good literature review examines each work independently and in relation to other works and analyzes ...