Critical Literature Review

The research requirements are to conduct a critical literature review, with the aim of analysing the two academic journals and one research report and, accordingly, draw conclusions.

A literature review summarises, analyse and evaluate previous research available on the topic and, furthermore, presenting it in an organised way (Collis & Hussey, 2013). It should clearly cover the major articulated questions and problems in the field (Collis & Hussey, 2013).

The question is thus why is a literature review done?

• Demonstrate clear understanding of the research topic including theories and definitions

• Identify the recognised thinkers

• Discuss what research has been done in this area and evaluate it

• Find gaps in the current research

Saunders & Lewis, 2012)

The question is what is the importance of doing a Literature review?

Foremost to conduct a literature review, the researcher needs to find all previous studies done on a specific subject area. It will provide a clear understanding to the reader regarding the analyses and findings of previous studies done. From these findings, the researchers can develop their own research questions and, furthermore, it will provide a base on which the research project can build (M. Saunders & Lewis, 2012).

Secondly, a literature review can assist in deciding on a topic for the research project. To establish the topic, reviewing of academic journals, textbooks, reports, novels, etc. will assist in determining whether the topic is good (M. Saunders & Lewis, 2012).

Third, secondary literature can give insight into collecting data relevant and is useful in providing larger sets of data. However secondary literature can be extensive and time-consuming in reading it (M. Saunders & Lewis, 2012).

Fourth, by reviewing the literature will provide insight into ways of collecting the data. In determining what methodology is used by other authors is essential and if it is relevant, furthermore, the strengths and limitations should also be recognised (Collis & Hussey,

First, a topic requires doing a literature search (M. Saunders & Lewis, 2012). Before a possible topic gets selected consideration should be taken in the work involved in terms of the topic (Bell, 2005). The literature search can start once the topic is identified and can continue until the research paper has been submitted. By reading and understanding the issues within the topic and, furthermore, the use of methodologies in previous studies will assist in forming a framework and hypotheses of the studies (Collis & Hussey, 2013).

Secondly, identification of concepts and terms that will be used. Once the topic has been identified, keywords associated with the topic can be used to start the search. What is more, keywords are the search terms used by search engines to seek respected sources and, furthermore, to find original sources to which authors refer to (Collis & Hussey, 2013). Things to consider when refining your keywords search is, words appearing commonly in literature, broad and narrow wording, furthermore, words with the same meaning, alternatively, same words with different spelling, shortenings of the words and, as a final point, old and new place names where it has changed over time (M. Saunders & Lewis,