Method for Assessing Literature Review in Scholarship
In the realm of qualitative research, a well-executed literature review plays a pivotal role in understanding the current state of knowledge and identifying areas for further exploration. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to conduct a comprehensive qualitative literature review.
- Defining a Clear Research Question or Topic
A well-defined research question or topic is crucial in framing the scope of your review. This question will guide all subsequent steps, helping you to focus on the most relevant literature.
- Systematic Literature Search
To find relevant literature, it's essential to use appropriate databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, and academic databases. Keywords, limiting by year and subject, and starting with foundational or review articles will help build your initial references.
- Critical Evaluation of Sources
Evaluating each source for quality and credibility is vital. Examine author credentials, publication source, methodology, findings, and potential biases to determine what to include and to identify conflicting theories or gaps.
- Organizing the Literature
Organize the literature by themes, methods, theoretical frameworks, or chronology to analyse patterns, relationships, and debates within the field. This thematic synthesis is typical for qualitative reviews seeking to combine perspectives or build new frameworks.
- Writing the Review with Reflexivity
Write the review with reflexivity, acknowledging your interpretation process and biases. Connect the literature back to the research question, explaining how the review informs or justifies the study design.
These steps often occur iteratively rather than linearly, refining the scope and inclusion criteria as your understanding deepens. The review type influences the search and analysis style; for example, integrative reviews combine ideas from differing traditions and are less systematic than systematic reviews but focus on developing new theoretical insights.
- Identifying Gaps in Research Literature
Gaps in research literature are areas where knowledge is missing or where existing studies have produced contradictory results. Identifying these gaps is crucial for formulating a research question and determining where further research is needed.
- Providing a Framework for Thought Processes
A literature review helps determine where further research is needed and provides a framework for the thought processes behind research questions.
In summary, a comprehensive qualitative literature review involves formulating a focused research question, systematically searching and selecting credible literature, critically analysing and thematically organizing findings, and reflexively synthesizing the literature to guide the research study. Utilising tools like CAQDAS software and citation management tools like Zotero, Mendeley can make this process more efficient.
- In the context of educational platforms, a comprehensive qualitative literature review of online education and learning might utilize CAQDAS software to systematically examine and analyze the existing literature, aiming to identify gaps or contradictions that could lead to the development of new theoretical frameworks within the field of education-and-self-development.
- To further one's knowledge and expertise in conducting a qualitative literature review, online education platforms could offer courses that provide an in-depth understanding of the process, equipping individuals with the necessary skills to critically evaluate sources, thematically organize literature, and synthesize results in a reflexive manner.
