IQP Background & Literature Review
Short Video Clips: Researchers Speak about Background Research & Literature Reviews
Dr Steve McKillup at Central Queensland University: What is it? | Why Do this Type of Review of the Literature
Dr Peter Reaburn at Central Queensland University: Why Do a Literature Review?
Within your background chapter, you will synthesize the related prior research discovered by your team after a comprehensive review of the literature. In academic or scholarly work, this usually is a summary of key or seminal works in a focused area. Often, one of the first sections any scholary research article will have a review of the previously published literature on the topic addressed in the article. As well, the review or background will tell the reader how it is related to the topic of the actual project. The unique research being done by your team should build on and reference prior work.
Example of an IQP Background Chapter | Published Research Paper | Published Review Article
How to Research for a Literature Review
- Framing your question (see Find it Online p. 74-75): take the time to determine exactly what information you need, research approaches will vary depending on the type of information needed.
- Who would create the information you need?
- Envision what the ideal information would look like or be (a chart, maps of area, an overview, a similar case study)
- Casting a wide net with your search terms is not often effective, first determine "what" you need to know and the various perspectives you wish to cover, then do more targeted searching
- All information has bias, good researchers detect this
- Research databases have differing foci: database searches are a good way to start, but following up on specific journals, researchers' names will often lead you to other sources
- If you cannot find information on a perspective, it may exist, but in grey literature, policy papers, news, or technical reports. Consult a librarian for a reality check.
Search library databases then follow up on bibliographies of articles found within the specific area of research. Researchers follow up on key authors, seminal works and key journals in a field. Much time and a comprehensive understanding of the field of research is needed in order to produce quality work.
To find major journals in a field, start by checking the Journals List, by choosing Advanced Journals Search from the library web site. Choose the Subjects tab to browse for journals by topic area. This will show only journals that the library subscribes to in print or electronic formats.
Try searching the ISI Web of Knowledge (if off campus connect via proxy) on your research keywords and then analyze the results by journal to obtain a listing of those publishing content about your research area. This search works well for finding authors as well.
Research Tips from the Librarians
Writing the Literature Review
It's helpful to review other reviews, to get a sense of how one looks and flows.
For more information- Literature Review - created by Central Queensland University to help postgraduate students conceptualize, research and write a literature review
- Writing in the sciences : exploring conventions of scientific discourse. General Collection T11 P393 2004
- Now That You've Found Material for Your IQP, What Do You Do With It?
Last modified: Sep 10, 2007, 14:10 EDT
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