RM02__Critically Reviewing Literature RT

8/2/2019 RM02__Critically Reviewing Literature RT

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Critically Reviewing Literature


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Lecture Objectives

To provide guidelines on how to get themost out of the literature and secondarydata


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Importance ofCritically Reviewing Literature

Broadly searching the literature helps ensure thatyou know what is available in a particular subject

area Critically reviewing the literature enables you to

understand the strengths and weaknesses of thebody of work you are considering

Combined they allow you to identify a research gap which, when filled, will be an originalcontribution to your area of interest


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Key Issues

1. Finding literature and other secondarysources of information

2. Assessing the relevance of informationsources

3. Critically reviewing individual papers

4. Organizing literature and writing literaturereviews


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Key Issue 1:Locating journal articles

Searching databases via Metalib

Searching the table of contents of highlyrelevant journals

http://www.brad.ac.uk/library/elecinfo/MetalibDetailedGuide.pdf


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Key Issue 2:Selecting journal articles to read

Title

Author(s) Abstract Discussion/Conclusions


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I s s u e

2 :

E v a

l u a

t i n g s e c o n

d a r y s o u r c e s


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Key Issue 3:Thinking critically

Is not description, unsupported generalizationsor assumptions, lack of discrimination

Is assessing whether the material is robust andvalid by using your knowledge of the subject andthe evidence presented to you

Is being able to show why you agree, disagreeor are undecided about, the robustness andvalidity of the material presented


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Key Issue 3:Critically reviewing literature

Why am I reading this?

What are the authors trying to do in writing this?

What are the authors saying that is relevant towhat I want to find out?

How convincing is what the authors are saying?

In conclusion, what use can I make of this?


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Key Issue 4:Putting a literature review together

Finding relevant information Knowing who talks about what Physical/ electronic organization of papers Locating quotes and other interesting bits

Structuring your literature review

Identify the major issues/topics Identify sub-topics Identify viewpoints on topics and sub-topics

including their strengths and weaknesses


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Contribution to your dissertation

For most people Demonstrates that you know your subject area and

how the research you are doing fits into that subject

area Provides the information required to identify the

relevant models and/or theories that may apply tothe research problem

For a very few people Critically assessing the body of literature is the

objective of their dissertation


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Information on critical analysis (apart from sourceslisted in the module manual) can also be found in Effective Learning Service: Effective Note-

making Effective Learning Service: Your Assignment

Results and How to Improve Them

Effective Learning Service: Critical Thinking(Quick Read)

Additional Sources

RM02__Critically Reviewing Literature RT

Documents

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