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WorksheetsThe literature review
Total questions: 12
Worksheet time: 9mins
1. A literature review is best described as:
A list of relevant articles and other published material you have read about your topic, describing the content of each source
An internet search for articles describing research relevant to your topic criticising the methodology and reliability of the findings
An evaluative overview of what is known about a topic, based on published research and theoretical accounts, which serves as a basis for future research or policy decisions
An essay looking at the theoretical background to your research study
2. A literature review ...
is conducted after you have decided upon your research question
helps in the formulation of your research aim and research question
is the last thing to be written in your research report
is not part of a research proposal
3. Which is the most reliable source of information for your literature review?
A TV documentary
A newspaper article
A peer reviewed research article
A relevant chapter from a textbook
4. Critical analysis means...
Subjecting the literature to a process of interrogation in order to assess the relevance, authenticity and reliability of the literature together with the summarising of common thematic areas of discussion
An evaluation of past research being critical of the methodology used and describing how your methodology will be an improvement
An analysis of theoretical approaches showing how they are no longer valid according to our current state of knowledge
Looking at the way articles are structured, pointing out logical inconsistencies
5. Why do you need to review the existing literature?
To make sure you have a long list of references
Because without it, you could never reach the required word-count
To find out what is already known about your area of interest
To help in your general studying
6. To read critically means....
Taking an opposing point of view to the ideas and opinions expressed
Skimming through the material because most of it is just padding
Evaluating what you read in terms of your own research questions
Being negative about something before you read it
When starting your literature review, what is the first step?
Identify your question.
Review other literature reviews.
Find articles on your topic
Ask your lecturer.
How can you organize your literature?
By theme or concept
By methodology
Chronologically
All of the above
In a literature review, you should….
Read your literature, group the ideas into three or four sub-themes and then write these into paragraphs.
List each author in turn and explain what they said before moving onto the next.
If you want to conduct a keyword or author search of research reports published in professional journals, ______ will probably be your best resource.
The library catalog
Government publications
An online database
The World Wide Web
Jane wants to search for information about the variety of attention disorders that are seen in childhood. Which of the following sets of keywords would best get Jane started on an effective and efficient search?
“attention disorders”
“disorders” and “children”
“attention disorders” and “children”
A well-structured literature review:
Contains highly detailed descriptions of each work chosen for inclusion in the review.
Begins with those studies most closely related to the research problem, then opens up to a broader perspective.
Begins with broad/ general information, then narrows the focus to those study most closely related to the research problem.
contains general summaries of each work chosen for inclusion in the review.
