Tuesday, 12 July 2011

What Is A Literature Review?


Before documenting anything on a research paper, proper research must be conducted. The problem is that many people do not understand where to start. After gathering data, the next step is to evaluate it and present proper findings. There are proper steps that should be followed. The introductory part is usually one of the hardest for most researchers. Understanding what is a literature review is very important.

It is a summary of information and evidence to support the topic the researcher is working on. It is actually one of the most important parts of the paper. It aims at creating a foundation of what the reader should expect in the paper. It offers detailed reasons for wanting to pursue that topic specifically. The information should not only be relevant, but should also provide adequate support to back up all the findings in the paper.

The paper should not be biased in any way. The researcher should ensure that both areas of the discussion are supported sufficiently. This does not mean that a specific chronological order should be followed. It only means that findings should be derived from an argument. Notably, the reader should be left to make own conclusion. Leading the reader is wrong, and some readers may find this demeaning.

A research paper should be educative and informative. The researcher therefore must research extensively. Praising a company or person makes it look like a promotional material. Writing research paper is very different from other writings. The introductory part should make a complete meaning. In other words it should have an introduction, the body and conclusion. The meaning should flow easily.

Each paragraph should have a meaning. It should also have enough evidence to support the discussion. This means that there should be two sides to each point. Evidence to back up the information can be collected from newspapers, magazines, books, dissertations and government reports. All sources used should be trustworthy and of high quality.

When referring to certain page or paragraph, the author and the page itself should be quoted. Sometimes it is good to consult the supervisor before quoting information on any source. The number of references to be used will depend on the level of study. For example, doctorate pursuant will need more sources than undergraduates to back-up their findings. The supervisor should specify the number of sources to be used.

Each reference material should be certified before it is used. Internet sources are to be avoided at all costs. Most supervisors discourage the use of these sources because they are not all credible. Popular search engines usually accept information from anywhere. Most academic institutions do not accept internet sources. The best place to research is in academic libraries.

The internet however comes in handy when it comes to understanding how to conduct a research. Finding information is as easy as typing in the words 'what is a literature review' on the search engine. Several results and guidelines will appear instantly. The information can help beginners understand various stages of a research paper.




To help you write and interpret literature reviews, please check out our guide to What Is A Literature Review.

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