[EXPOSED]:Secrets of Writing An Excellent Academic Literature Review Without Supervison (PART ONE) - By Joseph Ikhalia

Creator of Sleeky.net: Joseph Ikhalia @ The Sleeky Research Group Seminar held in East London

A literature refers to the previous works or sources of information RELEVANT to your research area, both

theoretical (ideas-based) or empirical (collected or observed data)

The literature review is NOT:

• A summary of studies in your field one by one, paragraph by paragraph

• A complete historical background to your topic area. 

Here are the steps to to consider in writing a successful 

Academic literature review

STEP 1 : A Literature Review MUST Comprise of the following

A. Primary sources

• first hand reports of research found in academic journal articles, books of collected articles or

conference papers

• other original materials, such as historical documents, company reports, diaries or works of art

or literature.

B. Secondary sources

• critical evaluations and syntheses of original studies

C Tertiary sources

• information and ideas often put together from secondary sources, e.g. text books that provide a

broad overview of the topic. 

STEP 2: Know the purpose of a literature review, some of them are to;

1. Identify "the gap" in the existing knowledge

2. Indicate where your research fits

3. Make a case for the necessity of your research 

STEP 3: Ask yourself, what questions will the literature review answer? Some of the questions may include the following listed below..

1. What do we already know in the area/s under investigation? 

2. What are the key concepts, factors or variables? 

3. What are the existing theories? 

4. What are the inconsistencies, limitations or problems in the existing research? 

5. How does the existing knowledge relate to your study? 

6. Why study this problem? 

7. What contribution could the present study make? (i.e. who will benefit?

STEP 4: How lengthy should it be?

A literature review may vary from several pages to several chapters according to the overall length of your thesis

or report and the availability of current research

About 3500  Words is Recommended for a project of 8,000 Words

STEP 5: How do I select my materials?

 A. Relevance

• Has the material contributed to the development of you main concepts?

• Does it clarify your position (either by supporting or contrasting with it)?

• Does it provide key interpretations or models you can apply to your design?

• Does the material bound to a particular context or culture?

B. Authority

• Is the author qualified to report on the subject?

• Has it been published by a reputable source or can you justify why it is an important source?

• Has the material been critically evaluated or assessed by other authors or colleagues; for

example, peer reviewed or professionally edited.

C. Currency

• Is the material still influential in the field?

• Are you keeping up to date with new research?

WATCH OUT FOR PART TWO OF THIS ARTICLE