Literature Review in Social Research

A literature review is a “comprehensive study and interpretation of published work in a field” (Webster’s College Dictionary, 2005). It is important to note that this is not simply a bibliographic exercise. A literature review must do more than point out what has been written on a topic; it must critically evaluate the information, synthesize it, and offer new perspectives on the research problem. The first step in conducting a literature review is to identify the research problem or question that you will be addressing. Once you have done this, you can then begin to search for relevant sources of information. Once you have gathered all of the relevant materials, it is time to begin reading and taking notes. As you read, you should also be thinking about how the various sources relate to one another and how they can be grouped together. After you have finished reading and taking notes, you can begin writing your literature review.

What is a literature review?

A literature review is a survey and evaluation of the existing scholarly work in a given field of study. It is used to identify gaps in current research, clarify areas of disagreement among researchers, and set the stage for future research. A literature review surveys and critically evaluates the existing body of knowledge in a given area of study. It is used to identify gaps in current research, clarify areas of disagreement among researchers, and set the stage for future research.

Why is a literature review important in social research?

A literature review is important in social research because it allows scholars to situate their own research within the larger body of work on a given topic. A literature review also allows scholars to critically engage with the existing body of work on a topic and to identify gaps in that body of work. In other words, a literature review is an essential part of the process of doing social research.

What are the different types of literature reviews?

There are four different types of literature reviews:

1. Traditional or Narrative Literature Review

This type of literature review is the most common and is what most people think of when they hear the term “literature review.” A traditional literature review simply summarizes and critiques the existing scholarship on a topic. It does not attempt to synthesis or integration the existing research.

2. Systematic Literature Review

A systematic literature review is a more rigorous and comprehensive review of the existing scholarly literature on a topic. It uses a set of predetermined criteria to evaluate each piece of research, and then synthesizes the findings into a cohesive whole. Systematic literature reviews are often used in medical research to ensure that all relevant evidence has been considered before making treatment decisions.

3. Meta-Analysis

A meta-analysis is a statistical analysis that combines the results of multiple studies in order to provide a more accurate estimate of effect size. Meta-analyses are commonly used in medical research to evaluate the efficacy of new treatments or interventions.

4. scoping Review Scoping reviews are a type of systematic review whose aim is to map out the key studies relevant to a particular question, rather than synthesizing their findings. They are commonly used in social science research when there is too much literature for a traditional or systematic review, but it is still necessary to get an overview of what has been researched on a topic.

How to write a literature review?

A literature review is a written summary of what has been published on a given topic by scholars and researchers. In writing a literature review, the aim is to provide an overview and evaluation of the current state of knowledge on the topic, with a focus on recent research.

To write a literature review, you will need to select relevant sources, critically read and evaluate them, and organise and synthesise your findings in order to present an argument or point of view. This can be a daunting task, but there are some simple steps you can follow to make the process easier:

1) Define your research question: What are you trying to find out? What are your goals for writing the literature review?

2) Search for relevant sources: Use library databases or search engines such as Google Scholar to find academic articles, books and other sources that are relevant to your topic.

3) Read and evaluate the sources: Once you have found relevant sources, it is important to read them carefully and critically. Consider what the author is saying and how this fits with what you already know about the topic. Make sure to take notes so that you can easily refer back to specific passages when writing up your review.

4) Organise and synthesise your findings: Once you have evaluated all of the sources, it is time to start writing up your literature review. Begin by grouping together similar findings from different sources, then identify any gaps or areas where further research is needed.

Examples of literature reviews in social research

A literature review in social research is a detailed, critical analysis of the existing body of work on a particular topic. It includes a summary and evaluation of the key arguments, concepts and findings from previous research.

A literature review is an essential part of any social research project. It allows you to situate your own research within the wider context of what has already been published on your topic. This will help you to identify gaps in the existing literature and to develop your own argument or perspective.

A literature review can take many different forms, depending on the discipline and field of study. In the sciences, it is common for literature reviews to be presented as scientific papers, with a clear structure and rigorously peer-reviewed. In the humanities and social sciences, literature reviews are often written as part of a larger research project, such as a thesis or dissertation. However, they can also be written as stand-alone documents.

There are many different ways to approach a literature review in social research. The most important thing is to be systematic and Critical when reading and evaluating the existing body of work on your topic. Here are some tips:

Start by identifying the main themes and issues in the existing literature. What are the key debates? What are the central questions that need to be addressed?

Conclusion 

In conclusion, conduct a critical analysis of the literature. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the existing research? What are the gaps in knowledge? What are the implications of your findings for future research?