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.

Library Databases

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.

Key Journals

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.

Cited Reference Searching

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. You can also try Scholar.google.com and view "Cited by."

Research Tips from the Librarians

Before embarking on the literature review, your background should include the global/key issues, tools such as data/statistics sources, organizations/associations, and news can help you place your problem in context
New or rapidly developing areas of research may require the use of conference proceedings, dissertations and working papers
Think laterally or more broadly if you are having trouble finding information in your narrow focus area
Identify gaps in research, this is where new knowledge should be created

Writing the Literature Review

It's helpful to look at other literature reviews and background chapters, to get a sense of how one looks and flows. Find past projects in the library catalog (use Quick Limit dropdown for Project Reports) and literature reviews within scholarly articles.

For more information

Literature Review Tutorial - 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?

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Last modified: Jul 28, 2009, 17:33 EDT