Chapter 6:
Reviewing the
Literature
Roles of the literature in research (Fig. 6.1)
• The entire basis of the research
• Source of:
–
–
–
–
–
ideas on topics for research
information on research already done by others
methodological or theoretical ideas
comparison between your research and that of others
information that is an integral or supportive part of the
research – for example statistical data on the study area
population
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Sources of information (Fig. 6.2)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Library catalogues
Specialist indexes & electronic databases
The Internet
Google Scholar
Published bibliographies
General sport studies/management books
Reference lists
Beyond sport
Unpublished research
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Compiling and maintaining a bibliography
• It is good practice to develop and maintain a
personal bibliographic database.
• Always record full details.
• Use of software, such as Endnote, is worthwhile.
• It should only be necessary to type out a reference
once in your life!
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Reviewing the literature
• Types of review (Fig. 6.3)
• Inclusive – everything written on the topic
• Inclusive/evaluative – as 1. + your commentary
• Exploratory – finding out what is known/ not known –
focus on a question/issue
• Instrumental – finding convenient, up-to-date source for
a theory/framework/summary
• Content analysis/hermeneutics – technical, analytical
analysis of texts
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Questions to ask when reviewing (Fig. 6.4)
• Individual items:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Empirical basis of the research?
Relationships to other writing on the topic?
Theoretical framework being used?
Geographical area covered?
Social group(s) included?
When conducted? Still valid?
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Questions to ask when reviewing contd
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
The literature as a whole:
Range of research conducted?
Methods generally used? Methods neglected?
What does the research tell us?
What does the research not tell us?
Contradictions in the literature?
Deficiencies - substantive or methodological?
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Summarising/Making sense (Fig. 6.5)
Data set B
Related issue
Data set A
Main
Topic/Issue
Sub-theme X
Theory A
Sub-theme Y
Theory B
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Referencing the literature
• Generic reference format (Fig. 6.6)
• A book or report:
– Author(s), Initials (Year) Title of Book or Report in Italics.
Place of publication: Publisher.
• NB Publisher is not the same as printer.
• An article from a periodical (journal/
magazine/newspaper):
– Author(s), Initials (Year) Title of article. Title of Periodical in
Italics, Volume number (Issue number), Page numbers.
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Generic reference format (Fig. 5.7)
• A book or report:
– Author(s), Initials (Year) Title of Book or Report in Italics.
Place of publication: Publisher.
• NB Publisher is not the same as printer.
• An article from a periodical (journal/
magazine/newspaper):
– Author(s), Initials (Year) Title of article. Title of Periodical in
Italics, Volume number (Issue number), Page numbers.
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Two referencing systems
• Author-date or Harvard system
• Footnote or endnote system
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Comparing the two systems
Feature
Harvard/Author-date
Footnote/Endnote
Reference in text Author (date)
Superscript number, e.g.: 1
Reference format Author (date) Title. Publishing
details.
1. Author Title. Publishing
details, date
Reference list
format
Alphabetical list at end of report Numbered list at:
- foot of pages, or
- end of chapters, or
- end of report
Advantages
- alphabetical bibliography
- unobtrusive in text
- can add other notes/
- easy to use
- date of publication seen in text comments
Disadvantages
- obtrusive in text
- can’t add notes
- no alphabetical bibliography
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge