The Academic Literature
BHV 390: Research Methods
Kimberly Porter Martin, Ph.D.
Kinds of Literature
Non-Academic References
Encyclopedias
Dictionaries
Textbooks
References
Newspapers
Magazines
You usually may not cite these in literature reviews. Use
them to locate authors the names of authors for whom you
want to search in the academic literature.
Kinds of Literature
Academic References
Scholarly books
Edited books/volumes
Peer-reviewed journal articles
Theses and Dissertations
Government Documents
These are the kinds of references you may cite in
literature reviews
The Academic Literature
There are three general types of academic literature:
1. Academic books
Written by a single expert* author
2. Edited volumes
Each chapter is written by a different expert*, with the
book assembled by an expert* in the field
3. Journals
Frequently published periodicals containing a group of
articles that present recent research results or new
theoretical presentations.
*experts become experts through their participation in research in their fields
The Special Nature of Journal Articles
Journal articles have a special role in presenting
research results because:
• They are published at least several times a
year, making scientific knowledge available in
a timely fashion.
• They follow strict standards for submission.
• They require pre-publication review by peers
to maintain organized skepticism.
• They do not pay their authors; the prestige of
publishing is the reward they offer.
Secondary Citations
Primary Citations You read Jones who gives a
definition for self esteem. You give the definition
and cite Jones.
Secondary citations. You read Smith who gives
Jones’ definition for self esteem. You give
Jones’ definition and cite Smith.
Secondary citations are generally
unacceptable.
How to Begin a Systematic
Literature Review
1. Choose a concept or population as a starting point.
2. Generate lists of:
-The disciplines that are likely to be involved
-The types of academic references most relevant
-Key words and terminology to use in the search
3. Locate a wide variety of academic sources
4. Mine the sources for information and take notes
Mining an Academic Reference
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Look for Theoretical Approaches
Names of theories
Perspectives of theories
All possible definitions for each relevant concept
including
- aspects/components of each concept/definition
- comparisons/contrasts between definitions
Assumptions
Predictions
Logical relationships used to connect any of the
above
Mining an Academic Reference
Look for How Each Concept Has Been Studied?
1. Instruments/items used to measure each concept
2. Ways in which data was collected
Survey
Interview
Observation
Participant-Observation
Content Analysis
Case Study
Mining an Academic Reference
Look for Populations Studied for Each
Concept
1. type of populations
2. significant demographic characteristics of
populations
3. populations that have been left out in the
study of each concept
Mining an Academic Reference
Look for Results of Studies for Each Concept
• Descriptions of variables that are associated with
each concept
• Populations that are affected by each concept
• Associations that have been demonstrated
• Cause and effect relationships that have been
demonstrated
Mining an Academic Reference
Look for Gaps/Problems with the Research
• Reliability – does the study need to be replicated to
assure reliability?
• Validity – does the study measure what it says it
measures?
• Are there other populations that should be
studied?
• Are there ways in which the methodology should
be improved?
• Do the authors make suggestions for future
research?
Mining an Academic Reference
Look for
References cited in the article, book or
government report that you might read to
contribute to your literature review.
How to Read an Academic
Reference
•
•
•
•
•
Skim before reading entire document
Consider your own orientation and/or project
Organize material as you read by highlighting
Organize material as you read by charting
Evaluate as you read
NOTE: You will read/review many more sources
than you will be able to use in your literature review.
Getting the Big Picture Out of
Your Literature
• Read and analyze all of the references
you have gathered and then assign each a
number.
• Generate a list of concepts/topics and
populations that your references say may
be important in understanding your topic
• Highlight using colors to distinguish
different topics
• Create a matrix of variables that shows
what references/articles address each
one.
Highlighting in References
• Highlight theory in one color
• Highlight methods in another color
• Highlight information about each concept
in a different color.
• Highlight information about each
population in a different color
• Make hard copies and use highlighting
pens
• Use the highlight function in your word
processor to highlight in electronic files.
Chart Topics and Populations
• Assign each reference (book, chapter, article,
etc.) a number
• Put the numbers of your references in the
columns in a table
• List each relevant topic and/or population that
you find in your references in the rows at the left
in your table.
• For each topic and/or population check the
columns of each reference that covers it.
• Each row in the table becomes a section or
subsection in your paper.
Keeping Track of Information
Topic
1
2
3
4
Racism
Gender
X
X
X
X
X
Income
Education X
Etc.
X
X
X
5
6
X
X
X
X
7
8
9
X
X
X
X
10 Etc
X
X
Powerpoint Study Guide
Critical Evaluation
Academic sources
Non-academic sources
Books
Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
Edited Volumes
Master’s Theses
Doctoral Dissertations
Primary Citations
Secondary Citations
Highlighting in References
Charting References