Although literature reviews may vary according to discipline, their overall goal is similar. A literature review serves as a compilation of the most significant sources on a subject and relates the findings of each of these sources in a rational manner while supporting the literature review author’s own thesis. A literature review establishes which sources are most relevant to its author’s point and which sources are most credible to the discipline at hand. In a literature review, the results of previous research are summarized, organized and evaluated.
The aim of a literature review is to show your reader (your tutor) that you have read, and have a good grasp of, the main published work concerning a particular topic or question in your field. This work may be in any format, including online sources. It may be a separate assignment, or one of the introductory sections of a report, dissertation or thesis. In the latter cases in particular, the review will be guided by your research objective or by the issue or thesis you are arguing and will provide the framework for your further work.
It is very important to note that your review should not be simply a description of what others have published in the form of a set of summaries, but should take the form of a critical discussion, showing insight and an awareness of differing arguments, theories and approaches. It should be a synthesis and analysis of the relevant published work, linked at all times to your own purpose and rationale.
Activity2-1: Developing critical thinking
Did the student in the following example show critical thinking? Read the following paragraph and answer the two questions.
Nugent (2001) suggested that teachers for gifted learners should use a differentiated curriculum that provides greater depth, varied topics and an accelerated pace. They also claim that technology must be used to support program goals and address the individual needs of the gifted. This claim is accurate in that information and communications technology can be used effectively to assist the gifted learners... However, the positive results for the gifted are not solely from the integration of technology. These students will have likely learned well, even without the integration of technology into the curriculum. Technology is only one method of delivering information.