1.Literature Review
A literature review can be defined as an evaluative report that has information found in the earlier research or literature of a related area of study. The literature review should summarize, describe, illuminate, and appraise the previously done research on a selected topic. As such a literature review, should be able to provide a theoretical base that aids the author to determine the nature of their research. According to Torraco (2005), literature reviews is not just about searching information as it goes beyond being an evocative annotated bibliography. As such, all the information within a literature review must be thoroughly read, evaluated, and analyzed about the topic chosen or the respective field of study. Therefore, the primary objective of coming up with a literature review is to enable a reader to comprehend the knowledge and ideas about the author’s topic and help the reader to identify the strengths and weaknesses. For this reason, literature reviews must have a guiding topic or concept or theory, the issue, and the problem that the author is discussing
Advanced Literature Review vs. Basic Literature Reviews
When writing a research paper, the author always decides on what type of literature review to use. There are two types of literature reviews in academic writing. First, the basic literature review commonly referred to as the literature/comprehensive review, which gathers information on a topic to present an outline of the available literature regarding a specified topic or subject. Here, “one or more” research materials are gathered through searching the internet databases to evaluate the specified topic in research qualitatively. On the other hand, an advanced literature review, referred to as a systematic review, visualizes a topic in depth through a scientific methodology through evaluating available literature, including thesis and dissertation papers, conference proceedings, and other gray literature materials in seeking a result of a given topic. The table below shows a compare and contrast table between basic literature reviews and advanced literature reviews.
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Advanced Literature reviews
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Basic Literature reviews
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Objectives
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Focused on delineating bias and answering the research question
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Offers overview and a summary of a research topic
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Problem/issue/question
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It defines and answers a research question succinctly
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Is a general or specific question or topic
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Structure
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It has;
1. Eligibility criteria
2. Search strategy that is systematic
3. Evaluation of validity of findings
4. Interpretation of results
5. Presenting the results
6. A references list
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It is structured in sections of Introduction, Methods, discussion, conclusion, and a references list.
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2.Emerging Research Topic
Topic: Managing Diversity
Reason: Diversity is one of the critical aspects of the field of management. With the significant effects started by the dynamics of globalization. This is my topic of interest as today’s organizations are faced with problems regarding diversity. According to Patrick and Kumar (2012), managing diversity is a process that is focused on creating and maintaining a conducive environment in which the similarities, as well as differences of an individual, are valued. As such, it is advisable for corporate cultures to exercise diversity for better production and maximization of profit.
Quantitative Research Question:
“What are the best practices that affect diversity management in the United States of America?”
Qualitative Research Question:
“What are the benefits of cultural diversity to the organizational brands in the US?”
References
Patrick, H. A., & Kumar, V. R. (2012). Managing Workplace Diversity: Issues and Challenges. SAGE Open, 2(2), 346–351. https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244012444615
Torraco, R. J. (2005). Writing Integrative Literature Reviews: Guidelines and Examples. Human Resource Development Review, 4(3), 356–367. https://doi.org/10.1177/1534484305278283
