31 August

Question 1

What are the three ways literature is likely to be used in research?

Answer 1

1. Aid in generating and refining research ideas and drafting the research proposal
2. Critical literature review
3. Place research within wider body of knowledge

Question 2

What is the role of a literature review?

Answer 2

• Major purpose – determine what has already done that relates to your topic
 Make sure not to duplicate previous research
 Gain insight and understanding to enable you to situate topic within existing framework
• Literature enables you to become ‘expert’ in field of enquiry
• Learn where gaps are in current body of knowledge (identify space for own work)
• Type of study will influence type of literature review you write
• For example, narrative enquiry
• Will need to conduct reviews of literature at various stages of research process

Question 3

What is a narrative enquiry?

Answer 3

• Narrative inquiry records the experiences of an individual or small group, revealing the lived experience or particular perspective of that individual, usually primarily through interview which is then recorded and ordered into a chronological narrative

Question 4

What is the scope of a literature review?

Answer 4

• Last 5 years on subject matter
• Don’t include everything, only what is directly related to your research problem
• Continue until saturation point
• General length : 3-5 pages
Review literature review towards end of research project (check if new research, adjust for relevancy)