Importance of Writing Literature Review in Postgraduate Dissertation- Tutors India

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IMPORTANCE OF WRITING LITERATURE REVIEW IN
POSTGRADUATE DISSERTATION
An Academic presentation by Dr. Nancy Agens,
Head, Technical Operations, Tutors India
Group www.tutorsindia.com Email
info_at_tutorsindia.com
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Today's Discussion
In Brief Introduction Need for Writing a
Literature Review Main Characteristics of a Good
Literature Review Literature Review
Process Importance of Writing a Literature Review
Conclusion Future Scopes
OUTLINE
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In Brief
The goal of writing literature reviews is to
summarize the dissertation topic and also to
integrate the existing knowledge in the
field. A good literature review must cover the
relevant literature and also integrate it. The
literature review helps to understand the
research areas better and assists in
conceptualizing the research problem precisely
and clearly.
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Introduction
A highly developed literature review can
strengthen a dissertation/thesis by analyzing
the main problem areas by the academic study,
predicting assumptions of the research, methods,
and results. An efficient LR proves the
abilities of the students in the language domain,
information literacy, and critical writing. The
main goal of this paper is to discuss the
functions of LR in dissertations and thesis.
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Need for Writing a Literature Review
The aim of writing literature reviews is to
summarize the dissertation topic and also to
integrate the existing knowledge in the field.
1. A standalone review article of the literature
for a particular topic.

• An empirical papers introduction and the basis
  for a
• hypothesis.
• The preliminary stage for a dissertation.
• Systematic LR is a precise method that forms the
  basis for building an entire article based on
  reviewing the literature without gathering
  empirical data.
• Contd..

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Figure 1 Systematic LR
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A good literature review must deal with different
requirements of the field cover all literature
that is relevant
to the topic.
Main Characteristics of a Good Literature
Review
1. Coverage Literature that is relevant to the
topic must be referenced and must be covered by
the text.
2. Synthesis Not just a long list of
references implies a good literature review but,
it should also summarize and connect relevant
literature.

• Rhetoric The content must be clear and
  consistent, and well-articulated.
• Significance The literature review must
  explain the significance of the practical and
  theoretical part of the research problem.
• Contd..

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Figure 2 Characteristics of a Good Literature
Review
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A road map or blueprint is required for the
researcher to conduct a literature review to
stay on track and not diverge from the topic.
Literature Review Process

1. Review topic selection.
2. Searching the literature for references.
3. Collecting, interpreting, and analyzing the
   literature.
4. Review writing.
5. References.

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Importance of Writing a Literature Review
IMPROVING RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Literature
review helps students to identify and use r
esearch m ethodologies of other
researchers. The procedures used by other
researchers are explained in the r eview of the
literature. It also helps students to
incorporate those methods in their a ssignment
writing process.

• FOCUS ON RESEARCH PROBLEM
• Literature review helps to shape the research
  problems as it helps to understand the research
  field better
• CATER TO KNOWLEDGE BASE FOR RESEARCH AREA
• The main o bjective of writing a literature
  review is to ensure that the students who write
  dissertations conduct wide research around the
  subject area.

Contd..
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CONTEXTUALIZING RESEARCH FINDINGS
ENSURE NOVELTY IN YOUR WORK
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It is important to use the f indings in the
research which has been previously found.
Make sure to discover something that is very
innovative and not to waste time in
rediscovering that has been published before by
others.
Therefore, the process of w riting a l iterature
review could guarantee innovation and a new
contribution to the research work. Contd..
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Figure 3 Functions of Literature Review
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Conclusion
The foundation for all kinds of research is the
review of literature which plays a significant
role. They serve as a foundation for the
development of knowledge, provides a strategy
for policy and practice, grants effective
evidence. However, conducting a review of the
literature and assessing its quality is a tricky
task.
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Future Scopes
Writing a literature review is a difficult and
essential process to understand ones own field
of knowledge which is always transitory.

• Good researchers are stuck with sophisticated
  LRs, which expose the long-lasting academic
  skills of a writer.
• It is recommended to use the checklist of LR as a
  tool to strengthen the skills required for
  significant
• dissertation/thesis writing.

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