ABSTRACT
A challenge in reviewing empirical studies, as every research student knows, is whether to present a historical account, which provides a cumulative record (but which ignores major themes and cultural settings), or, on the other hand, to construct a culturally located and thematic analysis which may obscure the historical sequencing of the work. A further problem arises in making judgements of selectivity, i.e. what are defined to be major and significant research studies in a given field.
