What Is A Literature Review? Ditch Old Methods for Cutting-Edge Tech!

Summary

In this video, the process of conducting a literature review is thoroughly explained, covering everything from searching relevant literature to structuring and writing the review. The importance of using databases like Ilicit, Docomo, and Google Scholar for research is emphasized, along with organizing the findings by themes or chronology. Tools like ChatGPT and ExplainPaper.com are recommended for structuring and simplifying complex peer-reviewed papers. The video also provides insight into the length of a literature review at different academic levels, offering helpful tips for creating an effective and comprehensive review for any research project.

Takeaways

• 😀 Start your literature review by searching academic databases like Ilicit, Google Scholar, or Lit Maps for relevant research papers.
• 😀 Use peer-reviewed papers as they provide reliable and validated information in your field of study.
• 😀 Organize your literature review structure using an inverse pyramid, beginning with broad background information and narrowing down to specific themes or topics.
• 😀 A typical literature review includes an introduction, background and methods section, main body (organized by themes or chronology), discussion, and conclusion.
• 😀 AI tools like ChatGPT can help you generate a first draft of your literature review outline based on your research topic.
• 😀 Simplify complex peer-reviewed papers using platforms like Explainpaper.com, especially if you're new to academic research.
• 😀 The writing process for a literature review can be long and requires multiple revisions. Be sure to seek feedback from peers or supervisors.
• 😀 The length of a literature review depends on the academic level: 3,000 to 10,000 words for undergraduate projects, and potentially 10 to 40 pages for Master's or PhD theses.
• 😀 Group research findings into themes to make your literature review organized and coherent. This can also help in structuring your review based on chronology or theme.
• 😀 For a successful literature review, always ensure you have enough information to provide context, address your research question, and offer up-to-date insights into the field.
• 😀 It's essential to understand what the research field lacks and where further exploration or studies are needed, which should be highlighted in the discussion section.

Q & A

What is a literature review?

A literature review is a summary of existing research on a specific topic. It is typically done at the beginning of a research project to provide context and identify gaps in the field.

Where can you find literature for your review?

You can find literature through tools like Ilicit docomo, Lit Maps, and Google Scholar. These platforms help you search for relevant academic papers based on your research question or topic.

What is Ilicit docomo, and how can it help in a literature review?

Ilicit docomo is a platform that allows you to ask a specific research question and find relevant academic papers. It provides access to over 125 million academic papers and is useful for semantic searching in research.

How does Lit Maps work for literature review research?

Lit Maps creates a visual map of literature, helping you organize and navigate the connections between research papers. It can be used with a single paper or multiple papers to explore related studies.

What are the common themes used to structure a literature review?

Common themes include grouping research by topic (such as climate change impacts on plants) or by the chronological development of the research field. Both approaches help organize the literature logically.

What is the general structure of a literature review?

A typical literature review includes an introduction, background and methods, the main text divided into themes or chronological stages, a discussion to analyze the findings, and a conclusion to summarize the state of the field.

How does ChatGPT assist in structuring a literature review?

ChatGPT can help generate a literature review outline by providing a structure based on the research topic. It can break down the introduction, themes, and conclusion, saving time in creating the initial draft.

What tools can simplify reading dense academic papers?

Tools like Explain Paper.com can help simplify the content of complex academic papers. They provide summaries written in simpler language, making it easier to understand difficult concepts.

What is the typical length of a literature review?

The length of a literature review depends on the assignment or project. For small assignments, 3,000 to 10,000 words are common. For a Master's or PhD thesis, the length may vary from 10 pages to 40 pages, depending on the field.

How do you ensure the quality and completeness of your literature review?

To ensure quality, review the literature thoroughly, use a well-structured outline, and consult with trusted individuals or supervisors as you write. Make revisions and gather feedback on your themes to refine the content.