RESEARCH_CHAPTER 2

A literature review is best described as:

• A list of relevant articles and other published material you have read about your topic, describing the content of each source

• An internet search for articles describing research relevant to your topic criticizing the methodology and reliability of the findings

• An evaluative overview of what is known about a topic, based on published research and theoretical accounts, which serves as a basis for future research or policy decisions

• An essay looking at the theoretical background to your research study

Choose the best answer. A literature review is...

• Conducted after you have decided upon your research question

• Helps in the formulation of your research aim and research question

• Is the last thing to be written in your research report

• Is not part of a research proposal

Choose the best answer. Which is the most reliable source of information for your literature review?

• A TV documentary

• A newspaper article

• A peer reviewed research article

• A relevant chapter from a textbook

Choose the best answer. Critical analysis means...

• Subjecting the literature to a process of interrogation in order to assess the relevance, authenticity and reliability of the literature together with the summarising of common thematic areas of discussion

• An evaluation of past research being critical of the methodology used and describing how your methodology will be an improvement

• An analysis of theoretical approaches showing how they are no longer valid according to our current state of knowledge

• Looking at the way articles are structured, pointing out logical inconsistencies

Which is not a reason for accurate referencing in your literature review?

• Accurate referencing is needed so that tutors can follow up your sources and check that you have reported them accurately

• Accurate referencing is needed so that researchers who read your work are alerted to source that might be helpful for them

• Referencing shows that you go to the library when not in lectures

• Accurate referencing is required because it is an academic convention