Lit.review Paper

8/4/2019 Lit.review Paper

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Introduction

Literature review is important in any research effort because without doing literature review, aresearcher will not be able to understand the topic to be researched and know what had beenstudied, problems and issues and how past researchers did their investigation in the relatedarea of interest. This chapter discusses several basic knowledge that need to be acquired indoing literature review mainly: definition, purpose and role of literature review, methodology inconducting literature search, analysing and organising and structuring ideas to enableresearchers to write the literature review more systematically and effectively.

Definition of Literature Review

Literature review involves giving a summary of what had been written and published on a certain

topic by scholars or researchers. It includes summary of past research which are related to the

area studied. Literature review is also known as review of past research which explores issues,

theories found in scholarly writings and provides explanations, summary and critical evaluation on

researches that have been conducted by earlier researchers. There are several other definitions

on literature review that will help researchers to understand literature review from wider

perspectives, amongst which include:

Summary of past research related to the research to be conducted.

Bibliographic essay published in scholarly journal. For example articles entitled: ReviewOf Literature On Web Mining; Multimedia in Education: a decade of research; Past, presentand future of mobile payments research:a literature review;Management control systemsand strategy: A critical review

A discussion on several questions/problems related to the research to be conducted.

A publication/article that explore issues, theories in scholarly writings.

According to Uma Sekaran (2003), liitteerraattuurree ssuurrvveeyy iiss tthhee ddooccuummeennttaattiioonn ooff aa ccoommpprreehheennssiivvee

rreevviieeww ooff tthhee ppuubblliisshheedd aanndd uunnppuubblliisshheedd wwoorrkk ffrroomm sseeccoonnddaarryy ssoouurrcceess ooff ddaattaa iinn tthhee aarreeaass ooff

ssppeecciiffiicc iinntteerreesstt ttoo tthhee rreesseeaarrcchheerr. Hart (2004) emphasized that literature review involves the

following:

TThhee sseelleeccttiioonn ooff aavvaaiillaabbllee ddooccuummeennttss ((bbootthh ppuubblliisshheedd aanndd uunnppuubblliisshheedd)) oonn tthhee ttooppiicc,, wwhhiicchhccoonnttaaiinn iinnffoorrmmaattiioonn;; iiddeeaass,, ddaattaa aanndd eevviiddeennccee wwrriitttteenn ffrroomm aa ppaarrttiiccuullaarr ssttaannddppooiinntt ttoo ffuullffiillcceerrttaaiinn aaiimmss oorr eexxpprreessss cceerrttaaiinn vviieewwss oonn tthhee nnaattuurree ooff tthhee ttooppiicc aanndd

EExxpplloorriinngg hhooww tthhee rreesseeaarrcchh iinn aa ssppeecciiffiicc aarreeaa ooff iinntteerreesstt iiss ttoo bbee iinnvveessttiiggaatteedd,, TThhee eeffffeeccttiivvee eevvaalluuaattiioonn ooff tthhee ddooccuummeennttss iinn rreellaattiioonn ttoo tthhee rreesseeaarrcchh bbeeiinngg pprrooppoosseedd..


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AAppaarrtt ffrroomm tthhee ppooiinnttss mmaaddee bbyy HHaarrtt,, TTaayylloorr (http://www.utoronto.ca.writing/litrev.html ), stated

several things that a literature review must do:

i. Be organized around and related directly to the research question you are developing.

In the example (Figure 1) on an area of research entitled: Socialization of ICT among

students, the areas which are related encompasses: ICT in teaching and learning,digital

divide, research on socialization of ICT and impact of ICT.

SOCIALIZATION OF ICT

AMONG STUDENTS

IMPACT OF ICT

RESEARCH ON

SOCIALIZATION OF ICT

ICT IN TEACHING &

LEARNING

DIGITAL DIVIDE

Figure 1: Related area of study

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RReesseeaarrcchh TTooppiicc:: PPuubblliicc PPrrootteesstt AAggaaiinnsstt tthhee GGoovveerrnnmmeenntt iinn AAuussttrraalliiaa..

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Based on the synthesized result, the following research questions can be raised:

What is unknown?

What is the nature of public protest against the government in other countries?

How about the use of Information and communication technology (ICT) to express protestagainst the government

From the questions generated above, a researcher can identify the gap in the related area of

research in order to justify why the research is important to be embarked. In the above case, the

researcher can justify that research on the use of ICT to show protest against the government is
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an aspect that needs to be studied based on the critical analysis that was made on past research.

Before synthesizing, several steps need to be undertaken and this involves applying thecomponent of critical thinking i.e. attributing and comparing. Appendix I illustrates the steps in

applying critical thinking skills in Attributing and Comparing and finally how to synthesize.

iiiiii.. IIddeennttiiffyy aarreeaass ooff ccoonnttrroovveerrssyy iinn tthhee lliitteerraattuurree

TThhee ffoolllloowwiinngg eexxaammppllee sshhoowwss hhooww tthhee rreesseeaarrcchheerr iiddeennttiiffiieedd tthhee aarreeaass ooff ccoonnttrroovveerrssyy..

Topic: The use of information system development methodology in Malaysia (Yazrina 2003)

Researchers have different views on SDM. For instance, by using the right methodology, the riskand uncertainty in the information system development process will be reduced (Avison, 1995;Floyd, 1987). Fitzgerald (1996a) cited that literature has traditionally seen that it will help toimprove the process and product of system development while the general view was thatmethodologies were always troublesome and could use up resources and time, which werelimited. However, despite the benefits, the usage of information system developmentmethodology (ISDM) is still very unsatisfactory (Fitzgerald, 1996a; Ward, 1991; Chikofsky, 1989;Russo et al., 1995). The scarcity of empirical research in the extended nature of usage of ISDMprevents knowledge of how ISDM are used (Wynekoop & Russo, 1997).

iv. Formulate questions that require further research

It is also important for researchers to generate questions that would help to trigger further

research. Some questions that a researcher can generate to help to further develop and enhance

the literature review in the area of research includes:

What are the problems or questions that my literature review will help identify?

What kind of literature review am I conducting? Am I looking for theories, methodologies,policy, quantitative or qualitative research or the effectiveness of certain new procedures ?

What is the scope of my literature review? What kind of published sources have I managed toacquire? Have I found books, journals articles, thesis and dissertation, technical reports,research reports, government documents and possible sources of information on the subjectof study? What are the related areas that I need to cover?

Is my literature search comprehensive?

Have I analyzed the literature that I have read, critically? Have I followed a set of concept andquestion, compared each items from another. Have I discussed the strength and weaknessesof past research?

Have I referred to research that is contradictory from my perspectives?

Are the readers going to find my literature review relevant and useful?

TThhee lliitteerraattuurree rreevviieeww iiss aa ccrriittiiccaall llooookk aatt tthhee eexxiissttiinngg rreesseeaarrcchh tthhaatt iiss ssiiggnniiffiiccaanntt ttoo tthhee wwoorrkk tthhaatt tthhee

rreesseeaarrcchheerr iiss ccaarrrryyiinngg oouutt.. WWrriittiinngg lliitteerraattuurree ddooeess nnoott mmeeaann mmeerreellyy ggiivviinngg aa ssuummmmaarryy ooff ppaassttrreesseeaarrcchh aass iitt iiss aallssoo vviittaall ttoo eevvaalluuaattee tthhee rreellaatteedd wwoorrkk,, sshhooww tthhee rreellaattiioonnsshhiippss bbeettwweeeennddiiffffeerreenntt wwoorrkk,, aanndd sshhooww hhooww iitt rreellaatteess ttoo oonneesswwoorrkk.. IInn ootthheerr wwoorrddss,, oonnee ccaannnnoott ssiimmppllyy ggiivvee aaccoonncciissee ddeessccrriippttiioonn ooff,, ffoorr eexxaammppllee,, aann aarrttiiccllee.. BBuutt rraatthheerr oonnee nneeeedd ttoo sseelleecctt wwhhaatt ppaarrttss ooff tthheerreesseeaarrcchh ttoo ddiissccuussss ((ee..gg.. tthhee mmeetthhooddoollooggyy)),, aanndd sshhooww hhooww iitt rreellaatteess ttoo tthhee ootthheerr wwoorrkk ((ee..gg.. WWhhaatt


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ootthheerr mmeetthhooddoollooggiieess hhaavvee bbeeeenn uusseedd?? HHooww aarree tthheeyy ssiimmiillaarr?? HHooww aarree tthheeyy ddiiffffeerreenntt??)) aanndd sshhooww

hhooww iitt rreellaatteess ttooyyoouurrwwoorrkk ((wwhhaatt iiss iittss rreellaattiioonnsshhiipp ttoo yyoouurr mmeetthhooddoollooggyy??))..

PPuurrppoossee ooff ddooiinngg lliitteerraattuurree rreevviieeww

Literature review is a discursive proseand not merely explaining or summarising one type of

literature from another. The literature review should be structured in parts that represent a theme

or identify trend including relevant theories. In writing the literature review, it is important to

understand that the researcher/writer is not suppose to report what had been written but

synthesized and evaluate past research based on a conceptual framework or research questions.

Therefore, it is vital that a researcher understands the purpose of doing literature, review amongst

which includes:

To provide explanation, summary and critical evaluation on previous research.

To provide an account on what had been published on a certain topic by recognized and

authoritative scholars/experts. To provide a critical analysis on a segment of a particular knowledge through classification,

summary, comparison of past research , theoretical articles and literature.

To explore issues, theories in scholarly writings and provide explanation, summary and criticalevaluation on previous research.

To know what has been known or unknown/researched.

To develop explanation on certain phenomena and state-of- the art.

To identify relationships between concepts and hypothesis.

To learn how other researchers define words, concepts and identify hypothesis that can bestudied.

To identify sources of data used by earlier researchers.

To develop alternative projects or projects that are related to the research done by otherresearchers.

Critical evaluation on published sources and past researches on the subject of study is very

important and an effective way to analyse critically and review literature and theoretical articles isby generating questions. Some of the questions one can ask while developing the literaturereview are:

What do you already know about the subject? Major works? Is there any gap in the knowledge of a particular subject? Has the author formulated any problem statements / issues? What is the orientation of the research? What is the theoretical framework of the author? Are there further researches by other researchers? Who are the personalities in the topic to be researched? Is the analysis accurate and relevant? What is the strength and weakness of the research? How is the article or book related to your research question? What is the methodology/ methods/ issues/problems that earlier researchers identified

and how they can give impact to ones project.


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RRoollee ooff LLiitteerraattuurree RReevviieeww

Literature review is one of the important sections commonly found in both a research proposal

and report. By conducting a thorough literature search, it will enable one to show the aims,

objectives, scope, rationale and design features of the research. The rationale is usually

supported by references to other works which have already identified the broad nature of the

problem. The role of literature review is to demonstrate that the researcher has the skills in

literature searching apart from showing that one has a good command of the subject area, a

better understanding of the problem and to justify the research topic, design and methodology.

Hart (1998) had clearly shown the role of literature review in relation to the other parts of a thesis

(Table 1). Reviewing existing literature not only leads to a better understanding of the state of the

research in the field, but it also discerns patterns in the development of the field itself. A synthesis

of existing findings allows researchers not to repeat similar work, and discover important gap. In

other words, it closes areas where a plethora of research already exists, and at the same time

uncovers those areas where research is lacking. Doing literature review should help one to find

answers to some of the questions that are shown in Figure 2.

Table 1: Some sections commonly found in both a research proposal and reportSumber: Hart, C. (2000)

Introduction To show the aims, objectives, scope, rationale and design

features of the research. The rationale is usually supported byreferences to other works which have already identified thebroad nature of the problem.

Literature review To demonstrate skills in library searching : to show command of

the subject area and understanding of the problem; to justify theresearch topic, design and methodology.

Methodology To show the appropriateness of the techniques used to gather

data and the methodological approaches employed. Relevantreferences from the literature are often used to show an

understanding of data-collection techniques and methodologicalimplications, and to justify their use over alternative techniques.


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Literature search and

review on your topic

What are the key sources?

What are the major

issues and debate about

the topic?

What are the key theories

concepts and ideas?

What are the epistemological

and ontological grounds for

the discipline?

What are the political

standpoints?

What are the origins and

definitions of the topic?

How is knowledge on the topic

structured and organized?

What are the main questions

and problems that have been

addressed to date?

How have approaches to these

questions increased our

understanding and knowledge?

Figure 2: Some questions that the review of literature can answer

Here are some of the questions the literature review should answer given by Language Centre.

Asian Institute of Technology (http://www.languages.ait.ac.th/EL21LIT.HTM).

What do we already know in the immediate area concerned?

What are the characteristics of the key concepts or the main factors or variables?

What are the relationships between these key concepts, factors or variables?

What are the existing theories?

Where are the inconsistencies or other shortcomings in our knowledge andunderstanding?

What views need to be (further) tested?

What evidence is lacking, inconclusive, contradictory or too limited?

Why study (further) the research problem?

What contribution can the present study be expected to make?

What research designs or methods seem unsatisfactory?

The effort undertaken to find and read relevant sources that may help answer the abovequestions will enable the researcher to understand and develop knowledge in the subject areabeing studied. A thorough and effective search of the literature will ensure that the researcher:

identifies important variables that has the probability of influencing the problem situationscovered in the research;

obtains a clearer idea in relation to the important variables that need to be addressedcompared to the less important (parsimony) and why the variables are consideredimportant;


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discovers how the problems can be solved through the methods/approaches/models

found in earlier researches; identify and generate accurate and clear problem statements;

enhance the evaluation on research findings obtained from the research;

avoid reinventing the wheel or duplicate earlier works;

embarked on finding the solutions that can be accepted and found to be relevant andsignicant by the scientific community in the area of study.

Hence, literature review helps researcher to develop the conceptual or theoritical framework and

generate hypothesis for testing (Uma Sekaran 2003).

Literature Search

Before starting any research project it is most vital to do a comprehensive literature research as

each research project builds on a body of prior work. The process of searching and locating

earlier research projects that are related can be a tremendous challenge. It is a known fact in

research processes that other researchers have to certain extend already explored and digested

the older literature. Thus, it is strategic to locate articles that give a review of literature in the

subject of interest, as such articles that provide a guide to earlier research. However, according to

Zobel (2004) a complete exploration of the archives is rarely necessary but rather there is the

need to carefully explore current work. In order to comprehensively explore relevant literature, it is

advisable to follow several intertwined paths. Figure 3 shows the flow of doing literature research

by Hart (1998) that can be used as a guide to locate relevant literature more systematically and

comprehensively. Based on figure 3, at the initial stage, the researcher can try to locate the

background knowledge on the topic by referring to encyclopedia, dictionary, books and library

catalogues. Though there are numerous online information services that enable researcher to

search and access full text sources online, it is still a relevant step to go to the library to search for

relevant literature. This is because the simple strategy of having similar material shelved together

often leads to unexpected discoveries, without the distraction that arise when we browse the web

(Zobel 2004). The search result from this initial stage will enable researcher to identify main and

related concepts on order to do concept mapping in the area of study.

In the Focus topic and analyse information needs stage, there is a need to try and identify relevantsources that can be referred to locate literature relevant to the research project. The followingtitles will guide researchers to locate relevant literature.

i. Guide to literaturesii. Some Online databases useful for research. In Sekaran, U. Research

Methods for business: a skill building approach. 4 th ed. Singapore: John Wiley, 2003:75-78

iii. Academic Research on the Internet: Options for Scholars and Libraries. Internet forscholarly research. Laurence, H. & Miller, W (Penyunting) London: Haworth, 2000.


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Figure 3: Flow chart of doing literature research (Hart 2000)

SSttaaggeess SSoouurrcceess OOuuttccoommeess

Choose topic

encyclopedias

dictionaries

text books

library catalogue (OPAC)

subject librarians

guides to theliterature

abstracts

indexes

electronic sources

bibliographies (BNB)

dissertation abstracts

review journals

indexes to

reviews

citation indexes

Background information

and ideas search.

Begin mapping topic.

Focus topic and analyse

information needs.

Detailed search of

sources.

Construct initial

bibliographies.

Secondary evaluations

of the literature.

Initial mapping of the topic

area.

A search vocabulary of

Identification of sources

of information and guides

Identification of articles,

reports, work in progress.

Lists of monographs/text

books/anthologies.

Identification of

reviews of items.


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The Guides to literature enables one to identify the relevant indexes/abstracts to locate

articles, research reports, journal articles and proceedings etc. The Guides to literature in theweb environment is better known as Subject Gateway. The following list are some useful

databases and online services one can access to locate literature in computer and information

science.

ACM

BIBLIOGRAPHY/ REFERENCES FROM EARLIER PUBLICATIONS

CSA, LISA

CITESEER

COLLECTION OF COMPUTER SCIENCE BIBLIOGRAPHIES

INSPEC

Lecture Notes in Computer Science

PROQUEST

SPRINGER THE LINK

SCIENCE DIRECT WEB SITES OF AUTHORS WORLDWIDE LIST OF UNIVERSITIES

The next stage is the secondary evaluations of the literature, i.e. review articles. Reviewarticles are critical to strengthening an area as a field of study. To identify review articles,researchers have to refer to Review Journal, indexes to review and Citation index such asScience Citation Index, Web Citation Index. Through such indexes, one can identify articles thatgive review on the area of study, published and unpublished literature, new findings etc. At thisstage researcher can begin to do the citation map.

Literature searching can be enhanced by searching through the Internet. There are many

gateways, databases and research reports that can be accessed through the web. One should

acquire the skills and knowledge to use search tools and engines, including meta search

engines and deepweb engines to ensure searching to be conducted effectively and

comprehensively. Table 2 shows how one can develop skills in effective Internet searching

(http://www.lib.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Strategies.html). Besides the search

techniques, it also presents information about characteristics of each type of search tools, as it is

important for a researcher to know something about search tools before undertaking further steps

to search the Internet.

Zobel (2004) provided several paths to comprehensively explore relevant literature, some of

which include: visiting websites of research groups working in similar areas as these sites would

give several kinds of links to the wider literature and websites that list conference programmes

and the papers to appear in the conference. This is another strategic way to another hint of

relevance as within a conference, the papers are grouped by topic. Zobel recommended that the

researcher should discuss his or her work with as many people as possible as some of them may

know relevant work that a researcher may not have encountered.

Formatted: French (France)

Formatted: French (France)


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Table 2: Examples of How One Can Develop Skills in Internet searching.

YOURS TOPICS

FEATURES:

SEARCH TOOLS

Online public access

catalogues (OPAC)

Search Engines & Meta-search Engines for

searching the World Wide Web

Vital information on

search tools

Most OPACs allow one to

search the collections found inparticular library or group of

libraries. One can Search by

author, title, keyword and by

subject.

Search full-text of selected Web pages.

Search by keyword, by browsing, no subjectcategories. Meta-Search Engines quickly and

superficially search several individual search engines

at once and return results compiled into a convenient

format.

Recommended tools One can get access to OPACby typing the URL address of

the library and hyperlink into

Library Catalogue.

Google, Alta Vista Advanced Search, Northern LightPower Search, Alltheweb Meta_Search engines such as

Vivisimo,Metacrawler, Ixquick, Copernic, Webferret

and others.

Distinctive or wordor phrase? e.g.

Human resource

management

For subject approach, referLCSH, e.g. Human resource

management USE Personnel

management

Enclose phrases in Human resource management orPersonnel management Test run your word or phrase

in Google or Copernic/Webferret.

No distinctive words

or phrases

E.g.: Islamic law on labour,

Look for broad subject first,under. Islamic law, look for -

Labor laws and legislation

(Islamic law)

Use search engines that let you combine terms using

AND or +e.g.: Use Advance Search in Alta Vista and Google. If

use Excite:

AND, OR, AND NOT (must be capitalized) :e.g. Islamic law AND labor

Seek an overview? For overview of book on

human resource planning, lookunder broad subject heading:

Personnel management

Used field limiting:

Title: human resource planning orOther fields: url: host: domain

In Webferret, Choose exact phrase.

Narrow aspects of

broad or common

topic? Use sub-searching approach

For cases in personnel

management, use Personnel

managementcase studies.

Northern Lights folders; or Alta Vistas search in results.

In Webferret,

Choose, AND, OR and exact phrase.

Synonyms,equivalent terms,variants

Look for human relation fromLCSH.You will be referred to the

terms used.

e.g. human relation

USE Interpersonal relations

Choose search engines with Boolean OR (IN NorthernLight & Fast Search enclose terms in ( ). E.G. ( humanrelation) (public relation) For truncation ( In Alta Vista

use*)

YOUR TOPICS

FEATURES:

SEARCH TOOLS

Subject Directories & Gateway

Pages

Specialized Databases Invincible Web (defined below)

Vital information onsearch tools.

Selected sites picked by editorsor experts in a subject) Usually

organized into hierarchical

subject categories. Often

annotated. Can browse subjectcategories or search using

broad, general terms Nofull-text of documents.

The Invincible Web provides access through a searchbox into the contents of data base in a search box into the

contents of a database in a computer somewhere. Can be

on any topic, can be trivial, commercial, task-specific, or a

rich treasure devoted to your topic. Locate specializeddatabases by looking for them in good Subject Directories

like the in Librarians Index, Yahoo!, or Academic Info;special guides to searchable databases, and sometimes by

keyword searching in general search engines.

Recommended tools Librarians Index, Yahoo! Or

Academic Info;

Complete Planet, Copernic


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Researchers may be able to show command on the subject being studied from a widerperspective by locating relevant sources and reading analytically the related literature. The wideknowledge explored in the area of research is needed to justify that the research is important andto identify the gap and anomaly from past research. Further questions can be triggered to finallyassist the research in determining the research questions that need to be answered. Priorresearch related to the area of study need to be analysed as they are vital in determining theparameters, dimensions and scope of the research. Excerpts from the research on methodologyfor System Development in Malaysia (Yazrina Yahya et al. 2002) are shown below todemonstrate how a researcher can introduce the literature review by identifying key sources,explained how his research filled the gap and approaches and methods used in prior work.

Excerpt 1Example of Identify key landmark studies: key sources and authors

There are various types of research being carried out in the field of information systemdevelopment methodology. It ranges from the application of methodologies (Sakthivel, 1992;Avison et al, 1992), movement of methodologies (Fitzgerald, 1999; Avgerou C, 1993; Lycett et al.,1997), the use of methodologies (Westrup, 1993), application of in-house software developmentmethodologies (SDMs) and commercial SDMs (Hardy et al., 1995; Jenkins et al, 1984) andissues in methodologies (i.e. the influences, problems, unanswered questions) (Fitzgerald,1995; Livari, 1998; Wynekoop et al., 1995). There are also researches being carried outconcerning the methodology itself and the changes in methodology (Wynekoop et al., 1997).

Excerpt 2Example of Filling the research gap

Although literature abounds with the focus on the development of new methodologies andframework for the selection and comparison of methodologies, methodologies are still extensivelyuntested, despite their growth (Russo et al., 1995). Nevertheless, there are a handful of researchwhich consolidate on the empirical study of the use of methodologies in specific countries (Rahimet al., 1997; Edward, 1989a; Edward, 1989b; Edward, 1989c; Selamat et al., 1994; Fitzgerald,1997; Fitzgerald, 1996b, Russo et al., 1995). However, all of these researches tend to focus onthe usage of methodologies outside of Asia. Most of these researches were carried out in the UKand US region, while only one was carried out in Brunei.

Excerpt 3Example of Previous approaches and methodologies

Research accomplished by Edward (1989a, b, c) had emphasised on the usage of SSADM in the

private and public sectors in UK. The research concentrated on discovering whether the users of

SSADM feel that the requirements of the methodology had been fulfilled. It had also determined

whether the practitioners of methodology had welcome SSADM. As a result it was found that

SSADM is a methodology that provides guidelines and rule for the development of systems and it

had been used in a few of the public and private sectors in UK.


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MMaappppiinngg aanndd aannaallyyssiinngg iiddeeaass

As an outcome of literature research undertaken, the reports and literature would encompass

varied perspectives and there is the need to organize those ideas discovered. This would mean

that the researcher need to elicit from the literature the core ideas and concepts, methods and

approaches, issues raised and how all those constructs had been operationalized for emphirical

research. Such processes seem to be part of the review analysis elements and are very much

needed if the core ideas and concepts have to be identified from the literature acquired. The

analysis on aspects identified as relevant to the study will be used to design a concept map on

certain phenomena, topic or problem. Hart (1998) stated that the purpose of mapping the ideas

gathered from literature are: to acquire sufficient knowledge of the subject so as to develop the

necessary understanding of the methodology and research techniques; To comprehend the

history and diffusion of interest in the topic, to undertake an analytical evaluation of the main

arguments, concepts and theories relevant to the topic in order to synthesize from the analysis an

approach or a thesis that is unique, that is your work. Mapping basically involves organizing the

content of the literature into sections and subsections that will enable one to make connections

between ideas contained in different sources (articles, books, proceedings, or other published

work) over a period of time.

An important critical component that can be incorporated in mapping and analysing ideas is

Classification. According to Hart, classification is a necessary part of the analytical stage of a

review. Without the use of classification, large amount of information cannot be processed in a

way that is both systematic and progressive. Classification involves sorting, organizaing ideas

into categories and labelling those categories. Appendix 2 illustrate the steps that can be

undertaken to classify. TThhee sskkiillllss iinn ccllaassssiiffyyiinngg iiss vveerryy uusseeffuullll iinn hheellppiinngg rreesseeaarrcchheerr ttoo aannaallyyssee aanndd

ssyynntthheessiizzee iiddeeaass mmoorree aaccccuurraatteellyy aanndd aatt tthhee ssaammee ttiimmee ccrriittiiccaallllyy eevvaalluuaattee aanndd mmaakkee ccoonnnneeccttiioonnss

bbeettwweeeenn tthhee ccoonncceeppttss tthhaatt aarree iiddeennttiiffiieedd rreelleevvaanntt ttoo aa rreesseeaarrcchh.. FFrroomm tthhee sstteeppss sshhoowwnn iinn tthheeccllaassssiiffiiccaattiioonn pprroocceesssseess iinn AAppppeennddiixx 22,, tthhee sseeccttiioonnss aanndd ssuubbsseeccttiioonnss ttoo eexxppllaaiinn tthhee rreellaatteedd

lliitteerraattuurree ccaann bbee ssttrruuccttuurreedd aass ssuucchh::

TTooppiicc aanndd ssuubb--ttooppiiccss iinn rreevviieewwiinngg tthhee lliitteerraattuurree oonnIInnffoorrmmaattiioonn ssoouurrcceess uusseedd bbyy mmaannaaggeerrss

22..00 OOvveerrvviieeww ooff iinnffoorrmmaattiioonn ssoouurrcceess tthhaatt mmaannaaggeerrss uussee22..11.. PPrriinntteedd ssoouurrcceess22..11..11 IInntteerrnnaall bbaasseesspprriinntteedd ssoouurrcceess22..11..22 EExxtteerrnnaall PPrriinntteedd ssoouurrcceess

22..22 EElleeccttrroonniicc ssoouurrcceess22..22..11 OOnnlliinnee ddaattaabbaasseess22..22..22 IInntteerrnneett22..22..33 IInnttrraanneett22..22..44 RReeaall ttiimmee iinnffoorrmmaattiioonn sseerrvviicceess

22..33 PPeerrssoonnaall ssoouurrcceess22..33..11 SSuuppeerriioorrss


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22..33..22 SSuubboorrddiinnaatteess

22..33..33 SSuuppeerrvviisseerrss22..33..44 MMeemmbbeerrss iinn aassssoocciiaattiioonnss22..33..55 VVeennttoorrss,, ssuupppplliieerrss,, cclliieennttss

Types of maps

Mapping can be used to show the development of knowledge in a particular topic and requires

one to use figures and tables to represent knowledge in terms of the relationships between the

ideas and the arguments discovered by the researcher. Mapping is an effective method to obtain

the overall picture within a topic. Mapping of ideas in doing literature review requires one to

organize ideas in certain structure. By arranging those ideas, the researcher will be able to

identify core concepts, theory and method used by other researchers in the field of study.

Mapping can help the researcher to think more analytically and at the same time learn to see

relationship and how to design a new and interesting scheme. There are many ways that can be

used to map knowledge in a particular topic; some of the common mapping techniques areshown as follows:

Table 2: Feature Map

Prior work(Author/researcher

Theory/view Evidence Arguments Main reference
http://g/TM6013/IHMC%20Concept%20Map%20Software_files/paper.gif


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Figure 4: Mapping and forming relationships between concepts involving ontology

Conceptual Framework :Use of Online Information

Type of Managers task

Information needs

Information source

Methods in acquiringinformation

printed Electronic media

*

Types of company

Information needs

Information source

Personal sources

E-mail O nlin e I NT ER NE T Vid eo te xt

NSTP Sibexlink MASTIC Others

inrernal external internal external

Figure 5: Conceptual framework on the Use of Online Informarion Services among Managers


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Figure 6: Concept Map on Human Exploration

HHooww ttoo wwrriittee aa ggoooodd lliitteerraattuurree rreevviieeww??

IInn oorrddeerr ttoo wwrriittee aa ggoooodd lliitteerraattuurree rreevviieeww oonnee mmuusstt aavvooiidd wwrriittiinngg aa lliitteerraattuurree rreevviieeww jjuusstt ttoo tteellll yyoouurrrreeaaddeerrss wwhhaatt ootthheerr rreesseeaarrcchheerrss hhaavvee ddoonnee.. TThhee aaiimm sshhoouulldd bbee ttoo sshhooww wwhhyy tthh rreesseeaarrcchh nneeeeddssttoo bbee ccaarrrriieedd oouutt,, hhooww yyoouu ccaammee ttoo cchhoooossee cceerrttaaiinn mmeetthhooddoollooggiieess oorr tthheeoorriieess ttoo wwoorrkk wwiitthh,, hhoowwyyoouurr wwoorrkk aaddddss ttoo tthhee rreesseeaarrcchh aallrreeaaddyy ccaarrrriieedd oouutt,, eettcc.. OOtthheerr gguuiiddeelliinneess tthhaatt oonnee ccaann ffoollllooww iinnoorrddeerr ttoo wwiirrttee aa ggoooodd lliitteerraattuurree rreevviieeww aarree aass ffoolllloowwss::

RReeaadd wwiitthh aa ppuurrppoossee:: yyoouu nneeeedd ttoossuummmmaarriizzee tthhee wwoorrkk yyoouu rreeaadd bbuutt yyoouu mmuusstt aallssooddeecciiddee wwhhiicchh iiddeeaass oorr iinnffoorrmmaattiioonn aarree iimmppoorrttaanntt ttoo yyoouurr rreesseeaarrcchh ((ssoo yyoouu ccaann eemmpphhaassiizzeetthheemm)),, aanndd wwhhiicchh aarree lleessss iimmppoorrttaanntt aanndd ccaann bbee ccoovveerreedd bbrriieeffllyy oorr lleefftt oouutt ooff yyoouurr rreevviieeww..YYoouu sshhoouulldd aallssoo llooookk ffoorr tthhee mmaajjoorr ccoonncceeppttss,, ccoonncclluussiioonnss,, tthheeoorriieess,, aarrgguummeennttss eettcc.. tthhaattuunnddeerrlliieetthhee wwoorrkk,, aanndd llooookk ffoorrssiimmiillaarriittiieessaanndd ddiiffffeerreenncceesswwiitthh cclloosseellyy rreellaatteedd wwoorrkk.. TThhiiss
http://g/TM6013/IHMC%20Concept%20Map%20Software_files/mars.gif


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iiss ddiiffffiiccuulltt wwhheenn yyoouu ffiirrsstt ssttaarrtt rreeaaddiinngg,, bbuutt sshhoouulldd bbeeccoommee eeaassiieerr tthhee mmoorree yyoouu rreeaadd iinn

yyoouurr aarreeaa..

WWrriittee wwiitthh aa ppuurrppoossee:: yyoouurr aaiimm sshhoouulldd bbee ttoo eevvaalluuaattee aanndd sshhooww rreellaattiioonnsshhiippss bbeettwweeeenntthhee wwoorrkk aallrreeaaddyy ddoonnee ((IIss RReesseeaarrcchheerr YY''ss tthheeoorryy mmoorree ccoonnvviinncciinngg tthhaann RReesseeaarrcchheerr XX''ss??DDiidd RReesseeaarrcchheerr XX bbuuiilldd oonn tthhee wwoorrkk ooff RReesseeaarrcchheerr YY??)) aanndd bbeettwweeeenn tthhiiss wwoorrkk aannddyyoouurroowwnn.. IInn oorrddeerr ttoo ddoo tthhiiss eeffffeeccttiivveellyy yyoouu sshhoouulldd ccaarreeffuullllyy ppllaann hhooww yyoouu aarree ggooiinngg ttoooorrggaanniizzee yyoouurr wwoorrkk..

There are some websites that give guidance on writing good literature review such as The Basics

of Good Writing (Language Centre. Asian Institute of Technology)

Structuring Literature review

Having mapped the ideas gathered from the literature, especially past research that are related,

the researcher needs to structure the literature review systematically. At this stage, theresearcher needs to define the purpose of doing the review and consequently choose suitable

structure to provide explanation on concepts, issues, gap and approaches that will help justify

why the research is necessary and important to be undertaken. In defining the purpose of doing

the literature, the researcher would need to explain what he needs to achieve from the literature

review by providing statements clarifying the purpose of the review as introduction to the

literature review.

PPrree--wwrriittiinngg

In pre-writing, it is advisable to arrange the literature that were read and analysed into 3 blocks:

Summary of existing work on the topic. In this block. the researcher accumulate all the

relevant information elicited from analytically reading the past research. The aspects

related to the research such as core ideas, methods and issues addressed by differentauthors are gathered in this block. This block also include different terms and concepts

used to explain why things are the way they are.

Critical evaluation of previous work. In this block, the researcher gathers all methodsused by past researchers related to the topic being studied. These include assessing themethodologies employed, strengths and weaknesses of past researches. By looking atthe methodology and the strength and weakness of past research , it will assist inmapping the approach used by past researchers related to the topic being studied.

General and specific conclusion about work done to date on the topic: In this block,

conclusion made on the overall direction of the work related to the area being studied are

gathered to enable researcher in identify gaps, fallacies and failures in previous work in

order to show the legitimacy of your own approach

Choosing suitable structure

Formatted: Malay (Malaysia)


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If one has a structure, it can be used as a guide for the researher to start writing the review.According to Hart (1998) several structures can be used by the researcher to arrange the ideasand discussions that basically covers the following:

Discussions on the existing problems relating to the topic being studied.

Proposals to solve the problem..

Suggestion on benefits that will be obtained if the proposal are accepted.

Give attention to the possible criticisms on the proposals made.

Ensure that the researcher use evidence from past researches to show the weaknesses ofpast research to help researcher in formulating solutions to the problem. Therefore, thesuggested proposal by the researher would be based on the sources of informationgathered from prior research and it is important to use the right and relevant information.information related to the research.

There are three structures that can be used as a guide in structuring the literature review.

PPrroobblleemm aawwaarreenneessss ppaatttteerrnn CCaauussee && eeffffeecctt PPoossssiibbllee ssoolluuttiioonn ppaatttteerrnn

DDeessccrriibbee nnaattuurree ooff pprroobblleemm..GGiivvee eexxaammpplleess && eevviiddeennccee tthhaatttthhee pprroobblleemm eexxiisstt..DDeevveelloopp aa ddeeffiinniittiioonn ooff tthheepprroobblleemm..PPrroovviiddee eevviiddeennccee //aarrgguummeennttss ooffnneeggaattiivvee eeffffeecctt..EExxppllaaiinn tthhee ccoonnsseeqquueenncceess iiff

nnootthhiinngg iiss ddoonnee..OOuuttlliinnee aann aapppprrooaacchh ffoorr ttaacckklliinnggtthhee pprroobblleemm

EEssttaabblliisshh tthhee eexxiisstteennccee ooff tthheepprroobblleemm..PPrrooppoossee ppoossssiibbllee ccaauusseess..SShhooww tthhee mmaaiinn ffaaccttoorrssuunnddeerrppiinnnniinngg tthhee pprrooppoosseeddccaauusseess..CCllaarriiffyy aannyy ccoonnffuussiinngg aarreeaass aannddeelliimmiinnaattee iirrrreelleevvaanntt ccaauusseess..PPrroovviiddee eevviiddeennccee ffoorr ccaauusseess..PPrroovviiddee eevviiddeennccee ffoorr pprrooppoosseeddccaauussee aanndd pprroovviiddeerreeccoommmmeennddaattiioonnss..

CCoonnssiiddeerr ddeeffiinniittoonn && ssoolluuttiioonnaallrreeaaddyy ttrriieedd..GGiivvee rreelleevvaanntt eexxaammpplleess ooff tthheessoolluuttiioonnss ttrriieedd..SShhooww wwhhyy tthheeyy ffaaiilleedd aannddccaauusseess ffoorr ffaaiilluurree..PPrroovviiddee ssuummmmaarriieess ooff ppoossssiibblleeeeffffeeccttss ooff aalltteerrnnaattiivveess..MMaakkee aa cchhiiooccee ffrroomm aalltteerrnnaattiivveessaanndd ggiivvee eevviiddeennccee..SSuummmm--aarriisseepprroobblleemm.. && ggiivvee ssoolluuttiioonn

Source: Hart (1998)

The three structure can be used as a guide to present your literature review in the area of

research to show how the researcher can arrange the ideas systematically. Literature review can

also be presented i the following ways:

Chronological arrangement- use to show the historical arrangement of work on a topic. Familiar to unfamiliar ordering Both chronological and familiar-to unfamiliar arrangement can be incorporated in:

- inductive/or

- deductive structureThe researcher can also used authoritative model to structure the literature as shown in figure 7.


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Introduce your frameworkas an effort to build your

knowledge taxonomy

Category 1 Explain theresearches in this category + how+ why they are important to thearea being studied

Category II -- Explain theresearches in this category + how +why they are important to the areabeing studied

Explain your research and how it canimprove and be of impact to the above

researches

FFiigguurree 77:: AAnn AAuutthhoorriittiivvee mmooddeell ffoorr ssttrruuccttuurriinngg lliitteerraattuurree..

CCoonncclluussiioonn

HHaavviinngg ccoommpplleetteedd wwrriittiinngg tthhee lliitteerraattuurree rreevviieeww,, iitt iiss mmoosstt iimmppoorrttaanntt tthhaatt tthhee rreesseeaarrcchheerr cchheecckkwwhheetthheerr tthhee rreevviieeww hhaadd sshhoowwnn aa cclleeaarr uunnddeerrssttaannddiinngg ooff tthhee ttooppiicc aanndd tthhaatt aallll kkeeyy llaannddmmaarrkk ssttuuddiieess

hhaavvee bbeeeenn cciitteedd aanndd mmoosstt ddiissccuusssseedd.. AAss tthhee rreesseeaarrcchheerr iinnttrroodduucceedd tthhee ccoonncceeppttss rreelleevvaanntt ttoo aappaarrttiiccuullaarr rreesseeaarrcchh,, cchheecckk wwhheetthheerr tthhoossee ccoonncceeppttss hhaavvee bbeeeenn cclleeaarrllyy ddeeffiinneedd bbyy vvaarriioouuss aauutthhoorrss..IItt iiss aallssoo iimmppoorrttaanntt ttoo cchheecckk iiff aapppprrooaacchheess ttoo tthhee ttooppiicc aarreeaa hhaadd bbeeeenn ddiissccuusssseedd aanndd ccrriittiiccaallllyyeevvaalluuaatteedd.. TThhee rreesseeaarrcchheerr sshhoouulldd cchheecckk iiff hhee oorr sshhee hhaadd ssttaatteedd cclleeaarr ccoonncclluussiioonn aabboouutt pprreevviioouussrreesseeaarrcchh uussiinngg aapppprroopprriiaattee eevviiddeennccee aanndd hhaadd rreeaacchheedd ssoouunndd rreeccoommmmeennddaattiioonnss uussiinngg ccoohheerreennttaarrgguummeenntt tthhaatt iiss bbaasseedd oonn eevviiddeennccee aanndd ffiinnaallllyy sshhoowwnn aa ggaapp iinn eexxiissttiinngg kknnoowwlleeddggee

References

1. Hart, C. 1998. Doing a literature review: releasing the social science research imagination.

London: SAGE Publications.

2. Basics of Good Writing. Basics of Good Writing. Language Centre. Asian Institute of

Technology (http://www.languages.ait.ac.th/EL21LIT.HTM).3. Sekaran, U. 1992. Research methods for business: a skill-building approach. New York:

John Wiley & Sons.

4. Zobel, J. 2004. Writing for Computer Science. 2nd ed.London: Springer Verlag.


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Appendix 1

Comparing & Constrasting

Sample activity:

To write statement of findings

on methods used to protest

against logging in Australia.

Protest by early citizensProtest by todays citizen

Characteristics of protest:

Violent/non-violent

Analyze item

to be

compared

Identify

difference &

similarities

Check

consistencies

STEPS


Sample activity:

To write statement of findings

on methods used to protest

against logging in Australia.

Analyze item

to be

compared

Identify

difference &

similarities

Check

consistencies

STEPS

Differences Differences

Similarities


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Sample activity:Analyze item

to be

compared

Identify

difference &

similarities

Check

consistencies

STEPS SIMILARITIES

Early Settlers Todays Citizen

Public Notices

Public Assembly

Public Speeches

Pamphlet

Appeal to the

government

Notices in Magazines

Supporters

Public Speeches

Pamphlet

Appeal to the

government


Sample activity:Analyze item

to be

compared

Identify

difference &

similarities

Check

consistencies

STEPS DIFFERENCES

Early Settlers Todays Citizen

Violence

Demonstration

War

Non Violent

Car strickers

Media


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STATEMENT OF FINDINGS.

(SYNTHESIZE RESULTS INTO A SUMMARY OF WHAT IS AND IS

NOT KNOWN)

While the early settlers and todays citizen both use public notices, supporters, publics

speeches, pamphlets and appeals to the government authorities to protest actions they

oppose, there are also distinguishing differences in their methods. The early settlers

were more inclined to use physical force with riots and fighting , whereas todays citizen

use the media and blockades in actions that are less violent in nature.

WHAT IS NOT KNOWN ? WHAT IS THE NATURE OF PUBLIC PROTEST AGAINST THE

GOVERNMENT IN OTHER COUNTRIES?

Appendix II

Classification

Classification involves sorting and organizingideas into categories and labeling those

categories.

Information needsInformationsources

Information styles

USE OF ONLINE INFORMATION SERVICES AMONG MANAGERS


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How do you categorize/classify

Sampel Activitity: Data on information sourcesused:

Managers in manufacturing industry rely heavilyon internal reports, minutes of meetings,technical reports, consumer reports, reports frommarketing departments, supervisors, departmentheads and other subordinates.

Managers in servicing companies such as legal,

securities and financial institutions are verydependent on online information services andweb sources. Scientist and engineers in science

based companies more often refer to journals,proceedings, technical reports and frommembers in the IEEE.

Collect the

data

Label similar

item in a

group

Use pattern

to add others

Evaluate

pattern

STEPS


internal report,minutes of meetings,

consumer reports,

supervisors, department headsother subordinates

online information servicesCollect the

data

Use pattern

to add others

Evaluate

pattern

Label similar

item in a

group

STEPS


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internal report,

minutes of meetings,consumer reports,

technical reportsmarket report

supervisors, department heads

other subordinatesmembers of association

online information servicesWeb resources, intranet

Collect the

data

Use pattern

to add others

Evaluatepattern

Label similar

item in a

group

STEPS


internal report,minutes of meetings,

consumer reports,technical reports

market report

supervisors, department headsother subordinates

members of association

online information servicesWeb resources, intranet

Electronic sources

Printed sources

Personal sources

Collect the

data

Use pattern

to add others

Evaluate

pattern

Label similar

item in a

group

STEPS

Documents

Lit.review Paper