Critically reviewing the literature The Searching Selecting Summarising

Critically reviewing the literature: The Searching, Selecting, Summarising and Synthesising Process Research Week July 2014 Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin of Technology Curtin University is a trademark of University Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider code 00301 J

After today’s Session…. . • You will have some tips on how to plan a database search and use specific techniques to make sure that you find relevant journal articles • You will have some tips to help assess which databases to will be of most use to you. • You will know where to find additional help and support. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider code 00301 J

Literature review - why? • Provide a comprehensive review of published research that is relevant to your own topic of research • It will help to identify areas of debate, disagreement, controversy or inconsistency • Provide a platform for further research and investigation John will discuss in more detail Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider code 00301 J

Literature search - the cycle Plan your search Evaluate material Refine Search Evaluate material Store Results Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider code 00301 J

Research Steps 1. Plan your search § § § Choosing keywords Developing search strategies Choosing information sources 2. Evaluate your material § Assessing information quality 3. Refine your search to reflect new information § Assess your search strategies Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider code 00301 J

Planning - Keywords “Discuss two aspects of organisational culture that you consider are essential for the success of the firm”

Planning - Alternative terms organisational culture success corporate culture successful shared values effective

Planning - Truncation * The truncation symbol Useful for finding alternative endings of a word Success* Successes Successful

Planning - Wildcards ? The wildcard stands for one letter. Use it for different English or American spellings within a word. organi? ational = organisational, organizational wom? n = woman, women colo? r = color, colour

Planning - Phrase Searching Quotation marks can ensure that the exact phrase is retrieved in search results e. g. “organisational culture”

Planning - Using Boolean Logic Boolean operators: ‘AND’ ‘OR’ ‘NOT’ AND = ‘as well as’ Use between different terms organisational culture AND success OR = ‘either/or’ Use between similar terms (synonyms) organisational culture OR corporate culture

Our search strategy “Discuss two aspects of organisational culture that you consider are essential for the success of the firm” “organi? ational culture” AND OR “corporate culture” success* OR effective* Databases: Proquest/Business Source Complete

Sources of information How do you decide? Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider code 00301 J

Which Database? “Discuss recent issues about women on company boards in Australia” What type of information? • Factual – numbers, which companies…. ? • Issues – what is the trend, more in-depth discussion…. . ? • Comparative – what is happening in other countries……? The data required informs the database selected

Choosing Databases To help select databases once you have identified the type of material you want: • Lib. Guides • Databases A-Z • Top Links • Library team Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider code 00301 J

Research Tip - Journals ‘Peer reviewed’ or ‘refereed’ • Reviewed and edited by panel of experts • Accurate, well researched • Contributes to body of knowledge Scholarly or academic • Report on research or analytical studies • Scholarly or academic environment Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider code 00301 J

Research Tip – Literature Reviews Find Literature reviews on your topic: • Search your topic and add type of article “literature review” • Search your topic and add type of article “review article” • Search your topic and add the term “literature review” to search box Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider code 00301 J

Research Tip – Theses Find a thesis that may cover your topic: • Curtin Thesis – check the catalogue • espace@curtin • Trove – National Library • Pro. Quest Dissertations and Theses Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider code 00301 J

Research Tip - Alerts Use Alerts to keep current on your research topic • References to articles on a topic or subject search • Contents pages of recent journal issues • Citations to specific articles or authors You then receive alerts via email Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider code 00301 J

Research Tip - Alerts Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider code 00301 J

Research Tip – Citation tracking When one author cites another author a relationship is established. Discover • who is citing articles • how it supports current research • follow the history of an idea or method Web of Science and Scopus Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider code 00301 J

Research Tip – Citation Tracking Bateman, T. Sakano, and M. Fujita. 1992. "Roger, Me, and My Attitude: Film Propaganda and Cynicism toward Corporate Leadership. " Journal of Applied Psychology 77 (5): 768 -771. doi: 10. 1037//00219010. 77. 5. 768. Check Scopus for examples Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider code 00301 J

Research Tip - End. Note Managing your search results • Export from databases to End. Note • Export from Catalogue to End. Note • Export from Google Scholar to End. Note • Write research notes • Rate your material • Organise your material Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider code 00301 J

Research Tip - End. Note REMEMBER Only 1 End. Note Library Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider code 00301 J

Research Support • Consultations with Faculty Librarians • Search Strategies • Databases • Referrals to appropriate contacts • Collection • Recommend items for purchase • Document delivery • Research Support Lib. Guides • Library workshops – see Bookings Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider code 00301 J

Faculty Librarians Business: Health: Humanities: Science & Engineering: Kitty Delaney Diana Blackwood Marilyn Coen James Ward Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider code 00301 J Kitty. delaney@curtin. edu. au D. blackwood@curtin. edu. au M. Coen@curtin. edu. au James. ward@curtin. edu. au

Writing a Literature Review Dr John Fielder Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider code 00301 J

After today’s session… • … you will understand the process of drafting a critical review of the literature in your field. • … you will be aware of the need to position your study within the literature relevant to your research question. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider code 00301 J

Types of Literature Reviews • A narrative literature review – your ability to position your research within your field of study, and to “paint a rich picture” (as defined by your research question) (see: http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=t 2 d 7 y_r 65 HU) • A systematic literature review – this is more like a data collection and analysis process that provides a rationale for capturing literature meeting select criteria (avoiding bias) (see: http: //m. youtube. com/watch? v=NSUk 5 FLb. Jo. Y) 29 copyright jeanne dawson

information seminars observations readings data knowledge learning process papers/theses transformation

Functions of a Literature Review • It provides the context for research. • It acknowledges the work of others. • It familiarises you with the disciplinary ‘conversation’. • It informs and modifies your own research. 31 copyright jeanne dawson

• It finds evidence to establish the need for the proposed research. • It identifies an appropriate research question. • It informs and modifies your own research. • It finds evidence to establish the need for the proposed research. 32 copyright jeanne dawson

• It establishes your thesis in the chain of research in your field. • It shows an examiner you are familiar with important research in your area. • It demonstrates to an examiner your critical understanding of theory. 33 copyright jeanne dawson

Concept-centric rather than author-centric A literature review is organised in terms of conceptual themes NOT by authors. 34 copyright jeanne dawson

Content of a literature review • The literature review contains summaries and critical analyses of reported research relating to aspects of your research question or proposition and the methods available to address the question. • Don’t just patch ideas from different sources together. Think about how your sources as a whole provide answers to your research question. 35 copyright jeanne dawson

Coherence & Relevance • Lit. review presents a coherent argument, leaving the reader in no doubt that the research is necessary and valuable. • Presents a well-judged selection of material; it is not necessary to include everything you have read on the topic, only those relevant to your research question. 36 copyright jeanne dawson

Evaluative perspective • Avoids merely presenting a description of the literature and previous work on the topic. • Comments on the value of the literature summarised in the review. • Clearly presents your argument and perspective in relation to the literature reviewed. • Correctly interprets the findings of the reviewed literature. 37 copyright jeanne dawson

Questions a literature review should answer: • What do we already know in the research area? • What are the characteristics of the key concepts/factors/variables? • What are the relationships between the key concepts/factors/variables? 38 copyright jeanne dawson

• What are the existing theories? • Where are the gaps and inconsistencies in our knowledge and understanding? • What views need to be further tested? • What current research designs or methods seem unsatisfactory? 39 copyright jeanne dawson

• What evidence is lacking/inconclusive/ contradictory/too limited? • Why pursue the research question? • What contribution to the area can my research be expected to make? 40 copyright jeanne dawson

The Reading-Thinking-Writing Process • Concept mapping: use this as a planning/reviewing tool (some researchers develop a theoretical framework). • Try to write as much as possible without looking at your sources (just use to check you have things right and to get the referencing correct). • Recognise that it takes time to work out how all the pieces of the puzzle fit together and how to best explain things. Reading and writing critically comes from immersing yourself in your topic and repeatedly reviewing what you have and have written. • Expect your text to evolve into a good piece of writing!

For more detail … • Two excellent literature review guides: https: //www. dlsweb. rmit. edu. au/lsu/content/2_as sessmenttasks/assess_pdf/PG%20 lit%20 review. pdf http: //www. lc. unsw. edu. au/onlib/pdf/Litrev. pdf • Contact : Dr John Fielder j. l. fielder@curtin. edu. au