Chapter 2_Review of the Literature

What is the primary purpose of a literature review in research?

• To prove that your research topic is completely original

• To situate your study within the existing body of knowledge and show how it contributes to the ongoing scholarly conversation

• To summarize every single study ever conducted on your topic

• To demonstrate your ability to find academic sources

Which of the following is NOT a typical reason to include a literature review in a research study?

• To identify gaps in the current research

• To provide a theoretical framework for your study

• To compare your findings to previous research results

• To showcase impressive academic vocabulary

What is the recommended first step when starting a literature review?

• Begin writing summaries of the most relevant articles.

•  Identify key words related to your research topic.

• Choose an appropriate citation style (e.g., APA).

• Search a general-purpose database like Google Scholar.

Which type of literature source is generally considered the MOST reliable and readily accessible for a literature review?

• Blog posts by experts in the field.

• Peer-reviewed journal articles.

• Undergraduate student theses.

• News articles and opinion pieces.

What is a literature map and how is it useful in the research process?

• A map showing the geographic locations where relevant research was conducted.

• A visual representation that helps organize the literature and shows where your study fits into the broader field.

• A detailed outline of the literature review chapter in your thesis or dissertation.

• A list of potential references organized by publication date.

When writing an abstract for a research study, what information should be included?

• Only the key results and their statistical significance.

• A detailed critique of the study's methodology.

• A concise summary of the problem, purpose, sample, key results, and implications.

• An exhaustive list of all references cited in the study.

Why is it crucial to use a consistent style manual (e.g., APA, Chicago) when writing a literature review?

• To avoid plagiarism accusations.

• To make your research appear more sophisticated.

• To maintain a scholarly style and ensure clarity and organization.

• To impress your thesis or dissertation committee.

What is the primary purpose of a "Definition of Terms" section in a research proposal?

• To define every single term used in your research proposal.

• To demonstrate your understanding of complex terminology.

• To provide clear definitions of key terms that may be unfamiliar to readers.

• To introduce and define potential variables for your study.  

In qualitative research, where is the literature review typically placed?

• Only in the introduction to provide context for the research problem.

• Always in a separate chapter dedicated to the literature review.

• The placement varies; it can be in the introduction, a separate section, or even at the end.

• Qualitative research does not typically include a literature review.  

How is the literature typically used in quantitative research?

• Sparingly, to avoid biasing the researcher's perspective.

•  Deductively, to build a foundation for research questions or hypotheses.

• Only in the discussion section to compare with the study's findings.

• To generate new theories based on previous research.