Discussion: The Research Question and the Literature Review
A literature review, though it has some of the same qualities as a traditional research paper, serves a different aim. As mentioned, researchers must explore existing social work research in their topic by writing a literature review which situates their proposed study among other studies in the field. In this way, the various research studies “talk to each other” by telling a story about the current state of knowledge on a social work topic. It’s a good idea to keep your research question in flux while you explore the literature and to tweak it or take it in a new direction based on what you see. Why might that be?
In this Discussion, you explore the function of a literature review in the research process and consider the ramifications of deciding on a research question too early, before thoroughly surveying the existing literature.
To Prepare:
Review the Learning Resources on literature reviews.
Critically think about the research process and whether a research question or a literature review should be generated first.
By Day 3
Post your explanation of how a literature review differs from a traditional research paper for a course. In your explanation, address the function of a literature review. Finally, describe potential consequences of deciding on a research question without conducting a thorough review of the literature. Please use the Learning Resources to support your post (i.e., cite and reference).
Respond to two colleagues by suggesting ways to avoid the consequences they described. Please use the Learning Resources to support your response (i.e., cite and reference).
Please identify each one by name.
Tammy Cox
RE: Discussion – Week 5
COLLAPSE
How a literature review differs from a traditional research paper
There are vast differences in a literature review and a research paper. In literature reviews you start with a topic and explore different avenues, opinions and ideas. No argument is made for the proposed answer. In a literature review different options and possibilities are explored. Literature reviews provide information and understanding of previous research and planning for future research. It identifies the gap of knowledge that needs to be addressed (Yegidis, Weinbach, & Myers, 2018).
In a research paper articles and evidence are gathered from other sources that support the set argument. In a research paper a unified argument is decided the supporting documents that are used do not support other possibilities to the argument but support the decided argument. No other options or possibilities are included in the research paper (The difference between a literature review and a research paper, 2020).
Consequences of deciding on a research question without conducting a thorough review of the literature
If a through review of the literature is not conducted prior to deciding on a research question, researchers will not know to what extent the answer to the question already exists. What methods were used to study the question and what other researches had learned in the process (Yegidis, Weinbach, & Myers, 2018). A literature review produces focused questions that the researcher may not have known if a review of literature was not conducted. With the literature the researcher can take a broad question and focus it into more focused and specific questions or questions (Yegidis, Weinbach, & Myers, 2018).
References :
The difference between a literature review and a research paper. (2020). Retrieved from English 101: Academic Writing and Research: http://ldandres.weebly.com/differences-between.html#:~:text=The%20central%20difference
Yegidis, B. L., Weinbach, R. W., & Myers, L. L. (2018). Research Methods for Social Workers (8th ed.). New York: Pearson.
Kelsey Eitnier
RE: Discussion – Week 5
How does a literature review differ from a traditional research paper for a course? In your explanation, address the function of a literature review.
A literature review consists of a “time period when the researcher focuses intensely on the accumulated work of others who have studied and written about the research problem or some related topic”, and then “eventually what is learned from reviewing the literature is organized and written in summary form as a separate section of a research report” (Yegidis, Weinbach & Myers, 2018). During the process of a literature review, the purpose is to identify the themes within the research and what the authors say about these themes (Philbrook, 2017). A literature review helps identify a gap in the current knowledge on a specific topic and then develop a more refined research question for additional study, adding to the information on that topic. On the other hand, a research paper is when you form a hypothesis and then justify it by applying research that has already been conducted to support your argument. Therefore, a literature review is different from a research paper because a research paper is used to summarize the work of previous studies to answer a question, but a literature review helps you sort through articles to find a gap in knowledge to then ask a question and create your own study.
Describe potential consequences of deciding on a research question without conducting a thorough review of the literature.
The purpose of a literature review is to constitute a reservoir of knowledge, aid in conceptualization, and provide a map for potential errors in your research (Yegidis, Weinbach & Myers, 2018). One of the biggest consequences of deciding on a research question without conducting a thorough review of the literature is assuming a gap in research that doesn’t exist. By conducting a literature review you are to “develop additional theories and formulate hypotheses for future research studies to test” (Yegidis, Weinbach & Myers, 2018). If you do not conduct a proper literature review you are not allowing yourself the best chance of understanding the topic and the current knowledge on the topic to then create an authentic and original research question. Also, by not conducting a thorough literature review your research question may lack specificity. “Researchers rely heavily on existing knowledge to assist them in developing all aspects of their research design” (Yegidis, Weinbach & Myers, 2018). Using a literature review may help a researcher predict possible outcomes and form a specific hypothesis and determined outcome. Therefore, by not conducting a detailed literature review not only could you potentially conduct a research study that has already been done, but your research may lack the specificity it needs to be effective and confirm your hypothesis.
References:
Philbrook, J. (2017, March 13). Literature review essentials: Identify themes. Walden University Writing Center.
Https://waldenwritingcenter.blogspot.com/2017/03/literature-review-esseintials-identify.html
Yegidis, B.L., Weinbach, R. W., & Myers, L. L. (2018). Research methods for social workers (8th ed.). Chapter 4: Conducting the literature review and developing research hypotheses (p. 71-85). Pearson.
