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
CRICOSCRICOS
Provider
code 00301J
Provider
code 00301J
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 00301J
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 00301J
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 00301J
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 00301J
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*
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 00301J
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:
• LibGuides
• Databases A-Z
• Top Links
• Library team
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider code 00301J
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 00301J
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 00301J
Research Tip – Theses
Find a thesis that may cover your topic:
• Curtin Thesis – check the catalogue
• espace@curtin
• Trove – National Library
• ProQuest Dissertations and Theses
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider code 00301J
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 00301J
Research Tip - Alerts
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider code 00301J
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 00301J
Research Tip – Citation Tracking
Bateman, T.S., 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//0021-9010.77.5.768.
Check Scopus for examples
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider code 00301J
Research Tip - EndNote
Managing your search results
• Export from databases to EndNote
• Export from Catalogue to EndNote
• Export from Google Scholar to EndNote
• Write research notes
• Rate your material
• Organise your material
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider code 00301J
Research Tip - EndNote
REMEMBER
Only
1
EndNote Library
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider code 00301J
Research Support
• Consultations with Faculty Librarians
• Search Strategies
• Databases
• Referrals to appropriate contacts
• Collection
• Recommend items for purchase
• Document delivery
• Research Support LibGuides
• Library workshops – see Bookings
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider code 00301J
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 00301J
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 00301J
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 00301J
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=t2d7y_r65HU)
• 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=NSUk5FLbJoY)
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_ass
essmenttasks/assess_pdf/PG%20lit%20review.pdf
http://www.lc.unsw.edu.au/onlib/pdf/Litrev.pdf
• Contact :
Dr John Fielder
j.l.fielder@curtin.edu.au