Literature Review Part 2

Summary

This video tutorial explains how to write a literature review, focusing on the introduction section. It covers key elements such as defining the background and scope of the research, and how to craft a clear research question. The speaker emphasizes the importance of grounding arguments with reliable sources and providing definitions from experts. Additionally, the scope should be specific yet comprehensive, while the research question should guide the entire review process. The tutorial uses a sample research topic on EFL students' motivation during the COVID-19 pandemic as an example to illustrate these concepts.

Takeaways

• 🎓 A literature review requires learning how to read and analyze research articles, which may be unfamiliar to many students at first.
• 📚 The introduction is the first and essential part of a literature review and must be written in paragraph form without explicit subheadings.
• 🌍 The background section should explain the real-world phenomena, problems, or observations that inspired the research topic.
• 📖 Definitions of key terms (such as motivation) should come from credible experts or published sources, not from personal opinions.
• 🔍 Supporting literature from reliable sources is necessary to justify that the research problem truly exists.
• 🎯 The scope of the study must be clearly defined so the topic is not too broad or too general.
• ❓ A literature review in this class requires only one clear research question, which should be formulated before analyzing articles.
• 📝 An example topic discussed is English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students’ motivation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 🏥 Credible organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) should be cited when using factual or historical information.
• 💻 The COVID-19 pandemic significantly shifted education to online learning, which can both challenge and support student motivation.
• 🧠 Motivation is critical for adult language learners and can be disrupted by sudden changes such as emergency remote learning.
• 🌐 English’s role as a global and hyper-central language can make online learning both difficult and beneficial for EFL students.
• 📌 The introduction should conclude by restating the study’s scope and clearly presenting the research question.

Q & A

What is the first part of writing a literature review that the video discusses?

The first part is the introduction, which includes the background and definition, the scope of your topic, and the research question.

What should be included in the background and definition section of the introduction?

In this section, you should explain what led to your research topic, such as the phenomena or problems you observed. You should also define any important terms related to your study, like 'motivation,' using expert definitions from reliable sources.

How should the scope of the literature review be determined?

The scope should be specific and not too broad. It defines the boundaries of your research topic and ensures that the discussion remains focused on a manageable area of study.

What is the importance of the research question in the literature review?

The research question is essential because it guides the entire review. You need to create one clear question that you want to answer through your research, which helps in narrowing down the scope and focus of the review.

Why is it important to use expert definitions in the introduction, like in the case of motivation?

Using expert definitions adds credibility to your work and helps you avoid confusion. It ensures that the terms are properly explained and supported by valid sources, which strengthens your argument.

Can you use any source for the background and definition sections?

While you can use any source that provides valid information, it’s crucial to cite reliable and authoritative sources, such as books by experts or trusted websites like the World Health Organization (WHO).

How should you cite sources to avoid plagiarism in your literature review?

To avoid plagiarism, always cite the source of any information that is not your own. For example, if you are using information from the WHO or a textbook like 'Saddle Troy,' you need to clearly attribute the source to avoid presenting someone else's work as your own.

What is the role of motivation in the example provided (EFL student motivation during the COVID-19 pandemic)?

In the example, motivation is discussed as a crucial factor for adult learners of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) during the pandemic. The sudden shift to online learning could disrupt motivation, which is essential for continuing language learning.

What sources did the instructor use in the example for defining motivation?

The instructor used definitions of motivation from expert sources like 'Saddle Troy,' 'Cook and Singleton,' and 'Gardner.' These sources helped to explain the concept of motivation and how it affects language learning, particularly during the pandemic.

What is the significance of defining the scope of the study in the introduction?

Defining the scope ensures that the research remains focused and manageable. In the example, the scope was narrowed to EFL learning during the pandemic, which helped the study stay on topic and relevant to the specific context.