Writing a Literature Review

Overview

• This video guides viewers on writing a literature review.
• Presenter: Niha Agal, founder of IS Communications.
• Discussion includes:
  • Definition of literature review.
  • Structure of a literature review.
  • Introduction of an AI tool called "Our Discovery" to aid literature search.

What is a Literature Review?

• Definition: Analysis of the writing or work of others.
• Purpose: Can be a section of a larger document (research paper) or an independent document (assignment).
• Placement: Usually follows the introduction and precedes the research methodology in a research paper.

Structure of a Literature Review

1. Introduction

• Introduce the topic: Explain why the topic is worth reviewing.
• Research gap/problem statement: For research papers, explain the gap your work addresses.
• Define key terms and concepts relevant to the review.
• Overview: Share topics covered in the review.
• Organization: Describe how the review is structured (categories of topics).
• Scope: Set boundaries of what will be reviewed and rationale for exclusions.

2. Body

• Most crucial section for sharing others' works.
• AI Tool - Our Discovery:
  • Provides personalized recommendations based on research area.
  • Includes features such as summaries, audio readings, translation, and bookmarking.
  • Allows easy sharing and exporting to reference management software.
  • Access to a vast database (115 million+ research papers, etc.).

3. Conclusion

• If independent, restate the purpose and key research questions.
• Share findings from the literature survey.
• Draw conclusions on how the research field can progress.
• If part of a research paper, state the plan to address the identified research gap and its significance.

Organizing the Body of Literature Review

• Chronological Order: Discuss the development of the topic over time, focusing on key turning points.
• Methodological Approach: Compare results from different methodologies (qualitative vs. quantitative).
• Thematic Approach: Organize by themes relevant to the topic (e.g., materials, applications).
• Theoretical Approach: Summarize and compare various theoretical frameworks or models.

Writing the Body

• Key Points:
  • Don't just list literature; perform analysis and share personal insights.
  • Steps:
    1. Summarize and Synthesize: Group similar literature and present main points.
    2. Analyze and Interpret: Share interpretations and significance of findings in relation to your topic.
    3. Critically Evaluate: Discuss trends and weaknesses in the literature to provide a complete evaluation.

Common Questions

• How many papers should be read?
  • Varies based on the type of review:
    • College Assignment: 3-4 papers.
    • Research Article: 30-40 papers.
    • Review Paper: 70-100+ papers.
  • Subjective and topic-dependent.

Additional Resources

• AI Tools: Previous videos listed various AI tools to help with literature reviews.
• Emphasis on the use of "Our Discovery" for an easier literature search.

Conclusion

• Thank you for watching, wishing success in your academic career!