Guidelines for Conducting a Literature Review for Dissertation Research

Overall aims and research question of each paper are identified

Your review should relate to the topic you are considering for your dissertation. Therefore, the introductory section of your report must include a concise description of the research topic or research area for which you are conducting this review .

It will be acceptable to have a mix of resources of different nature - e.g. empirical research, ‘review’ articles, qualitative or quantitative research, etc. The main criterion is that the articles must be taken from reputable sources.

For each source chosen, you must identify and provide the following:

·Full reference in APA style.

·Overall aims and research question.

·Background research.

·The approach employed

·The tools and techniques used

·Outcome, findings.

·A critical reflection on how the selected publication relates to your own proposed research, what is significant, and why.

Submission details

This assignment is worth 10% of the total mark for the module. The word guidance is 2000 (±10%).Your report should be submitted electronically through the module's Blackboard site. You will find a link under Assessment for this submission.

Overall aims and research question of each paper are identified.

Unable to identify the research aims presented in the papers reviewed. Identifies the research aims and research question but not beyond that given in the papers reviewed.

Identifies the research aims and puts them into subject context, showing appreciation of the position of the research Clear, concise discussion of the research aims in a comprehensive subject context.

For each paper, the authors' background research/frame of reference is identified and discussed.

The background research is simply listed and not critically reviewed.

A general discussion of the background research used in the paper.

Identifies the background research that informs the paper and discusses its importance or otherwise.

The background research of the paper is identified and critically discussed with respect to all appropriate aspects of the research.

For each paper, the methods, tools and techniques used for the research are identified and evaluated.

Identification and evaluation of the research methods, tools and techniques used is missing, largely incorrect or not appropriate.

Identification and evaluation of the research methods, tools and techniques used is done with little discrimination between them.

Clear and logical evaluation of the research methods, tools and techniques used.

The evaluation shows insight within the methods, tools and techniques under consideration. Outcomes and findings of each paper are evaluated.

Identification and evaluation of processes and outcomes of the research papers is missing, not appropriate or mainly incorrect.

Process and outcomes of the research papers are identified, but not critical evaluated in relation of the domain of interest. Little insight into lessons learned. The process followed is reviewed and critiqued within the domain of interest. Identifies lessons learned for further research. The review of the process and outcomes of the research papers is critical and constructive and shows an insight into future work and own research project.

Critical discussion on the relevance of the chosen papers for own research project. APA referencing style properly used.

Papers have not been gathered from quality sources; or balance between empirical research and review papers is not suitable; or papers irrelevant for the research interests of the student. APA referencing style is not understood or not used properly Papers gathered from limited quality sources. Some balance between resources of different nature. Relevance for the research interests of the student is weak. APA referencing style understood and used properly.

Papers gathered from multiple, quality sources. The balance between resources of different nature is appropriate. Critical discussion on their relevance for own research project. APA referencing style understood and used properly

Demonstrates awareness of quality sources available for the domain of interest, and comprehensively evaluates its potential contribution for own research interests.