Reviewing the literature Andrs Istvn Kun An 8

Reviewing the literature András István Kun

An 8 step model of research processes 0. Identify broad area of research • discipline, school 1. Formulating the research problem (specification) 2. Conceptualising • valid, workable, managable 3. Constructing an instrument for data collection 4. Selecting a sample (sampling) 5. Writing a research proposal • ‘Final’ research questions 6. Collecting data 7. Processing data 8. Writing a report

Cyclic (‘never-ending’) process of research Concepts theory Data analysis Inductive Deductive Research question Empirical data Where is the place of literature reviewing?

Functions of reviewing literature • Knowledge basis • Theoretical background • Help to find a research problem: – What is known and what is unknown – How can you contribute to the existing knowledge body of your profession – Finding the appropriate hyptheses (abduction) • Help to find out what methodology to use – Formal hypotheses, research techniqe, sampling… • Enables you to contextualize your findings

Paradox of literature review • You read to know, but • You have to know what to read (and you have to have some knowledge to understand) • Solution: iterative process of research reviewing

Improving methodology • What are the accepted methodologies • Methodological problems and solutions

Knowledge basis • To some extent it is needed to show the context of your research and your findings • Obligatory chapter of Master and Ph. D theses

5 steps of reviewing literature 1. Search for existing literature in your of study; 2. Review the literature selected; 3. Develop a theoretical framework; 4. Develop a conceptual framework; 5. Writing up the literature reviewed.

Main sources • • Books Journals Grey literature Statistical data

Books • Availability – – Libraries Bookshops Bibliographies (!) Internet: computer catalogs (keywords, subject) • Advantages: greater likelihood of importance, relevance, quality • Disadvantages: not up to date, price, avaliability, quality-control (bibliography!) • They serve best as starters

Journals • Advantages: up-to-date (depends on the journal), area-specific journals • Disadvantages: need more knowledge to understand • They serve best for focused study • Availability: – Libraries – Electronic databases (!) – Internet

Gray literature • Grey literature (or gray literature) is a term used variably by the intelligence community, librarians, and medical and research professionals to refer to a body of materials that cannot be found easily through conventional channels such as publishers, "but which is frequently original and usually recent„ – – – Working papers Theses Company documents Magazines etc.

Where to start… • Electronic databases: – www. jstor. org – search. epnet. com (EBSCO database) – www. eisz. hu (many databases) – http: //www. nber. com/ – http: //econpapers. repec. org/ • University pages • Pages of libraries • Library…

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