By Mr. Mutahar AL-Nahari Literature Review By Mr. Mutahar AL-Nahari

Parts of Presentation The topic will be discussed in terms of: Definitions Purpose of Literature Review(LR) Issues considered before Writing LR Relationships of LR with Components of Research Organizing LR Steps & Strategies for Writing LR

Definitions A literature review is “an account of what has been published on a topic by accredited scholars and researchers”( Taylor, D. and Procter,M.2005) It is the critical description and synthesis of a number of research that lead to final report regarding the rationale for the study” (Seliger and Shohami, 1989,P. 82).

Two Types of Literature Conceptual Literature: Concepts and Theories Empirical Literature: Relevant Previous Studies

Why Literature Review? To Rationalize significance of problem To Identify relationships between IDEAS and PRATICE. To Find out important VARIABLES relevant to the topic. *Gaining methodological insights To Recognize HOW researchers use their methods and approaches. Avoiding fruitless approaches To Show how YOUR Study to Existing Literature( not mere duplication)

Before Preparing Literature Review, Consider the Following Issues: Plagiarism Without literature on your topic , Modify… Search for RQ in LR Don’t include any Source Relevance

Relationship of Literature Review with other Components of Research Research questions Research Methods Analysis, Results and Discussion

How to Organize Literature Review Research Questions Topics & Sub-Topics Central to Study Variables

Steps and Strategies for Writing Literature Review Identify key terms in your topic. Identify key authors and journals. Use state-of-the-art articles. Scan tables of contents from key journals. Use reference lists from articles, books, etc. Avoid the popular press. Locate Relevant Literature.

Steps and Strategies for Writing Literature Review Identify strengths & weaknesses of individual articles Critically read the literature. Identify strengths and weaknesses of the field as a whole

Steps and Strategies for Writing Literature Review Investigate expected length and format of the LR. Make a preliminary outline. Organize the literature you will cover. Limit the scope of the review to the topic at hand. Prepare to write

Steps and Strategies for Writing Literature Review Write the introduction. Write sub-sections. Use transition markers. Synthesize and critically evaluate LR. Be careful not to plagiarize. Practise summarizing & paraphrasing.   Write the Review.

Steps and strategies for writing a literature Review Indicate the gap. Use the review to lead to your research questions. (Unresolved issues)

References Bell, J. (1999). Doing your Research Project. Philadelphia: Open University Press. Paltridge B. and Starfield, S. (2007). Thesis and Dissertation Writing in a Second Language. New York. Routledge.  Seliger, H. & Shohamy, E. (1989). Second Language Research Methods. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Taylor, D. and Procter, M. (2008). The Literature Review: A Few Tips On Conducting It. Health Sciences Writing Centre, University of Toronto  Wallwork, A. (2011). English for Writing Research Paper. New York: Springer

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