ABSTRACT

Researchers carry out a review of the literature to inform and refine their research questions and also because they need to demonstrate their awareness of the state of knowledge on their chosen topic. This chapter presents case study that outlines some key elements in the process of writing the main body of a review. The process of writing a review is ongoing throughout research in the sense that it will constantly be refined as researcher's ideas develop. The quality of a review is enhanced by a researcher's ability to distinguish between different types of literature – empirical, theoretical and methodological. It is therefore important that researchers continue to develop the skill of critical reading. A good review will not simply describe the existing state of knowledge but it will also critique that knowledge in a way that makes the researcher's perspective explicit. Critique involves the identification of strengths as well as weaknesses.