Writing a Review Paper
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Strategies for writing a review paper.
![Abd
Karim
Alias@2010
[akarim@usm.my]
Research may be done alone –
but it is never done in isolation.
The production of new
knowledge is fundamentally
dependent on past knowledge.
‘I not only use all the brains that I have,
but all that I can borrow.’
- Woodrow Wilson](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
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Writing a Review Paper
- 1. Abd Karim Alias@2010 Writing a Review Paper
- 2. Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my] Research may be done alone – but it is never done in isolation. The production of new knowledge is fundamentally dependent on past knowledge. ‘I not only use all the brains that I have, but all that I can borrow.’ - Woodrow Wilson
- 3. • Research paper in peer-reviewed journals (preferably with high impact factor) • Short communication • Review articles (usually highly cited) 3 Abd Karim Alias@2009 Which type of publication?
- 4. • Conference proceedings (often not refereed, fewer citations) • Popular articles (to promote your activity) • Letter to editor 4 Abd Karim Alias@2009 Which type of publication?
- 5. 5 Abd Karim Alias@2013 Impact Factors for different types of article
- 6. What is a review paper? Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]
- 7. Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my] A review paper is… ‘a succint review of a specific topic that provide sufficient and in-depth interpretation and synthesis of published work’
- 8. Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my] Meta-Analysis …is a method of combining results of several studies into a summary conclusion, using quantitative strategies… intended to answer a focused question. ‘A research study about research studies…
- 9. • It provides extensive review of previously published literature and to put them into perspective • It offers critical evaluation of the published literature Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my] Why is review paper very popular?
- 10. • It creates an understanding of the topic • Identify gap in knowledge • It provides a new approach/ perspective that would stimulate further research Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my] Why is review paper very popular?
- 11. Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my] Generate your OWN IDEA!
- 12. Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my] Review paper is more than annotated bibliographies! You are not trying to list all the material published, but to synthesize and evaluate it so as to provide a new approach or stimulate further research
- 13. Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my] ‘…a collection of all the scholarly writings on a topic.’ What is literature?
- 14. Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my] Study 1 Study 2 Study 10 Study X ORIGINA L WORK ORIGIN AL WORK Your own idea will connect to the developing knowledge network in the field What is literature review?
- 15. Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my] ‘…a systematic…method for identifying, evaluating and interpreting the…work produced by researchers, scholars and practitioners.’ What is literature review?
- 16. Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my] What is literature review? Literature is about telling a story…kind of a chain story where each writer starts with a partial story created previously by others and expand on it…the existing literature is the story so far…
- 17. Abd Karim Alias@2013 [akarim@usm.my] Before deciding to write a review paper, ask the following questions: Do I know my stuff sufficiently?
- 18. Abd Karim Alias@2013 [akarim@usm.my] Before deciding to write a review paper, ask the following questions: Which journal to publish by review?
- 19. Abd Karim Alias@2013 [akarim@usm.my] Before deciding to write a review paper, ask the following questions: Would it be considered at all?
- 20. Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my] • Do a thorough literature search • Consult the Journal Editor
- 21. Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my] Write a convincing cover letter & explain…
- 22. Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my] Consulting with the Journal Editor • Rationale why you want to write about the topic; • Explain how you would handle the subject matter; • Explain why you are qualified to write on the proposed topic; • Estimated length (incl. no of figures & tables); • Estimated date of completion.
- 23. Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my] Approach to doing a literature review
- 24. Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my] READ PUBLISHED WORK SYNTHESIS Study a wide range of print- and web-based materials. Creation of an “integrated whole” – Coherent argument of the topic that you are reviewing. INTERPRETATION Explain the significance & interpret the evidence presented in each piece of literature – not simply listing what others have written. How to review the literature?
- 25. Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my] The key is…be selective in what you read – or else you’ll get drown in too much information! It is impossible to read all the research ever published in your area… Approach to doing a literature review
- 26. 26 Filtering & sorting the essentials from the irrelevant… Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my] See the wood for the trees… Image source: hAp:// sciencebhakta.wordpress.com
- 27. Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my] The range of literature to explore • Background material which is of broadly relevance to your topic • Literature and research studies which address issues that are closely related to your topic • Literature which is directly related to your topic
- 28. Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my] Searching & reading strategy (example) Industrial application of gelatin Halal gelatin alternatives in industry Halal gelatin in food industry
- 29. Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my] Searching & reading strategy Field specific papers Quantity of relevant publications Less specific, less recent More specific, more recent
- 30. Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my] Components of lit. review… § Background information • Introduce topic • Describe scope & organization • Review past & present literature • Clarify purpose
- 31. Hmm…where do I look for resources for my literature review? Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]
- 32. Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my] Academic libraries Public libraries National libraries Museums Archives Special collections Commercial organizations Commercial databases (SCOPUS, Web of knowledge, Springerlink) Literature sources Sources & organizations providing publications
- 33. Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my] Library catalogues Subject indexes Subject abstracts Bibliographies Encyclopedia Internet directories Internet search engines Tools for searching published works & data Literature sources
- 34. Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my] Sources where research & information is published Textbooks Articles Theses Government publications Legal & professional publications Trade literature Conference papers Monographs Statistics Literature sources
- 35. Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my] Organizing information Summarize, tabulate Use bibliographic software (Endnote) Managing the literature
- 36. Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my] Analyzing information Note taking Summarizing the key findings Extracting critical facts/ arguments Examine evidence Understand interpretation Analyzing & “digesting’ the literature
- 37. Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my] Reading critically & analytically Definitions Problem Theory Hypothesis Techniques Interpretations Concepts Arguments Standpoint Evidence Perspective Styles Justification Ways of thinking Events Motives Politics Conclusions Things to extract from each piece of reading material
- 38. Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my] Skills for “digesting” the literature Select, differentiate, break up Integrate, combine, formulate, reorganize Understand, distinguish, explain Define, classify, describe Dissecting data into their constituent part. Rearranging the elements derived from analysis to identify relationship. Interpreting & distinguishing between different types of data , theory & argument to describe the substance of an idea Describing the principles, uses, & function of rules, method, etc. ANALYSIS SYNTHESIS COMPREHENSION KNOWLEDGE Adapted from Hart, 1998
- 39. Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my] Components of lit. review… § Theory • All research has a precedent • Integrate key points & make appropriate inferences • Be aware of relationship to your topic
- 40. Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my] Components of lit. review… § Critical appraisal/synthesis • Not jus a list of the work of others • Identify issues highlighted • Highlight differences & similarities • Identify consensus
- 41. Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my] § A citing of all key studies in the subject area § A selection & synthesis of existing arguments to form a new perspective Any critical review should incorporate…
- 42. Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my] Any critical review should incorporate… § An assessment of the strengths & weaknesses of some of the theories § A clear understanding of the topic
- 43. Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my] Length of review § Comprehensive review (up to 12,000 words) § Concise review (approx. 5,000 words)