LITERATURE REVIEW

Additional Notes

Main Sources:
1. https://www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/lsu/content/2_assessmenttasks/assess_tuts/lit_review_LL/writing.html

2. http://www.uq.edu.au/student-services/Literature%20reviews%20-%20Example%201
Literature review consists of
Introduction
- what you are going to cover in the review
- the scope of your research
- how the literature review links to your research

Body of the literature review

- group the literature according to common themes
- provide insight into relationship between central topic and
a larger area (i.e. discipline)
- proceed from the general, wider view of the research
under review to the specific problem
Literature review consists of
In paragraphing the body of the literature review, the paragraph should
include
- a main statement / idea that you are putting forward, ie topic
sentence
- evidence from research to support / argue your idea, showing
where the writers agree and / or disagree
- student analysis of the research literature where appropriate
- summing up and linking to the next idea (paragraph).

Conclusion
- summarize major contributions of the literature
- evaluate the current "state of the art" literature
reviewed
- point out major flaws, or gaps in research
- outline issues pertinent to future study
Example of an introduction
Example of an introduction
This chapter presents discussion on E-learning
definitions and concepts, utilization of E-learning,
previous studies on utilization of E-learning, previous
studies on E-learning utilization in engineering
education, beliefs, educators beliefs about teaching and
learning, self-directed learning, previous studies on
relationship between self-directed learning and E-
learning, readiness, previous studies on readiness for E-
learning, selected personal characteristics and finally the
summary for the chapter.
Example of an introduction

The overall goals of this chapter were firstly to

establish the significance of the general field of
study, then identify a place where a new
contribution could be made. The bulk of the
chapter was on critically evaluating the different
methodologies used in this field so as to identify
the appropriate approach for investigating the
research question(s).
Body - Paragraphing
Integrating arguments in paragraph from multiple
sources
Body - paragraphing
Accessibility is the most frequent reason cited for E-learning by authors
(Bates, 1996; Oreizy & Kaiser, 1997; Volery & Lord, 2000). E-learning is
flexible and can be accessed at anytime, at any location with a computer
connected to the network. Learners do not have to adhere to rigid schedule, a
feature which attracts professionals and working adults. The flexibility offered
by this mode of instruction is one of the reasons of the huge increase in the
number of students in Open University Malaysia from 753 in year 2000 to
38,000 students with 41 programs in 2006.

Another issue in expanding access is global accessibility (Oreizy and Kaiser,

1997). One example of global accessibility in engineering education is
provided by CISCO Networking Academy where students enrolled in the
program in local universities such as the Malaysian Multimedia University can
access materials on CISCO portal. Such collaborations with external E-
learning provider will increase the competitiveness of market driven private
universities.
Body - Paragraphing
Integrating students analysis
Body paragraphing
Integrating students analysis
In the self-directed learning literature, emphasis is given to the shift of
responsibility and control from the educator to the student, which gradually leads
to the learner being self-directed. The advantages of learners who are in control
of their learning is best described by Knowles (1975) who believed that people
who take the initiative in learning learn more things and learn better than do
people who do not, they are more purposeful in their learning, have greater
motivation and tend to make use and retain what they learn better and longer
than reactive learners.

While there are numerous study on successful learners who are in control of their
learning experiences, Candy (1987) argued that there are substantial studies that
have shown many adult learners have limited desire and ability to be self-directed
and seek or rely on direction or external control. Candy concluded that the
willingness of learner to accept increasing control will depend on whether or not in
any particular case, they judge it to be valid and a situation in which they can
learn.
Eg 2 Literature review
People with greater self esteem appear to be less fearful.Laboratory
studies with college students (DeSallo,1984; Smith, 1990; Yu, 1988)
find a strong negative relationship between self esteem and fear. The
same relationship was found in a survey of elderly people (Jones and
Jones, 2001). Only one study contradicted this finding (Johnson,
2002). The contradictory finding may be due to the population used
(prison inmates). In general, it appears that self-esteem and fear are
negatively related. Self esteem is strongly related to feelings of
independence ( Gomex, 1977; Zarnoth, 1985) and independence was
found to decrease fear of crime ( Jones, 1982, Rosenberg, 1979).
Only Hong (1980) did not find a significant relation between
independence and fear of crime. It was the only study that studied
welfare recipients.
Verbs for referencing
Suggest (that) Recent studies outlined by Leonard et al (1999) suggest that
personality and disposition play an equally important role in
motivation.
Argue (that) Leonard et al (1999) argue that there are three elements of
self perception.
Contend(s) Mullens (1994) contends that motivation to work well is
usually related to job satisfaction.
Outline Recent studies outlined by Mullins (1994) suggest that
personality and disposition play an equally important role in
motivation.
Focus on The early theories of Maslow and McGregor (Robbins et al,
1998) focused on personal needs and wants as the basis for
motivation.
Define(s) Eunson (1987, p. 67) defines motivation as 'what is important
to you'.
Conclude(s) (that) Reviewing the results of the case study, Taylor (1980)
concludes that the theories of job enrichment and employee
motivation do work.
Verbs for referencing
State He further states that there is an increasing importance on the
role of autonomy and self regulation of tasks in increasing
motivation.
Maintains Mullins (1994) maintains that job enrichment came from
(that) Herzber's two factor theory.
Found (that) Mullins (1994) found that there is an increasing importance on
the role of autonomy and self regulation of tasks in improving
motivation.
Promote(s) This promotes the idea that tension and stress are important
external sources of motivation, which can be eliminated by
completing certain tasks.
Establish(ed) As established by Csikszentmihalyi (Yair 2000, p. 2) 'the more
(by) students feel in command of their learning, the more they fulfil
their learning potential'.
Verbs for referencing
Asserts (that) Locke's Goal Setting Theory asserts that setting specific goals
tends to encourage work motivation (Robbins et al, 1998).
Show(s) Various theories of motivation show employers that there are
many factors that influence employees work performance.
Claim(s) (that) Hackman and Oldham (1975) claim that people with enriched
jobs, and high scores on the Job Diagnostic Survey,
experienced more satisfaction and motivation.
Report(s) Mullins (1994) reports on four content theories of motivation.
Mention(s) Mullins (1994) mentions two common general criticisms of
Herzberg's theory.
Address Redesigning jobs so that responsibility moved from supervisors
to the workers, was an attempt to address the issues of job
satisfaction (Mullins, 1994).
Example of a conclusion
Most research involving the Experimentally Induced
Information methodology seeks to identify the influence of
misinformation presented by one witness to another, and
therefore the assumption is made that discussion between
witnesses is a detrimental process. It may therefore be
advantageous to also investigate the effects of co-witness
information using Natural Discussion Groups as this
methodology has high ecological validity. However, few
studies have used this methodology, and those that have,
have yielded mixed findings. Therefore, future investigation
using the Natural Discussion Group methodology would be
helpful to better understand the effects of discussion on
memory.
Good and poorly written literature review

A literature review

- integrates the research of various authors

- shows similarities and differences of ideas
- shows wide reading it shows analysis and critical
evaluation of what the student has read.

A literature review is not

- just a summary of articles, texts or journals.
- an analytical, opinionative or argumentative essay.