Chapter 2: Developing the Problem and Using the Literature
I. Identifying the Research Problem
A. From real world settings
B. Or From Theoretical Frameworks
C. Need an in-depth knowledge about the area
II. Guidelines for Finding a Topic
A. Be aware of the research being done at your college or university
B. Be alert for any controversial issues in some area of interest
C. Read a review paper. From there read several research studies in the reference list. Make a list of unanswered questions pose in the research
III. Criteria For Selecting a Problem
A. Workability
B. Critical Mass
C. Interest
D. Theoretical Value
E. Practical Value
IV. Inductive and Deductive Reasoning
A. Inductive reasoning – individual observations are tied together into specific hypotheses, which are grouped into more general explanations that are united into theory
B. Deductive reasoning – moves from a theoretical explanation of events to specific hypotheses that are tested against (or compared with) reality to evaluate whether the hypotheses are correct
V. Purpose of the Literature Review
A. Read what already has been published about the problem; past research is valuable to planning new research
B. Make sure in the literature review that the studies relate to the topic
C. Most frequently, authors attempt to relate studies by similarities and differences in theoretical frameworks, problem statements, methodologies (participants, instruments, treatments, designs, and statistical analyses), and findings.
D. Develop a summary sheet (Table 2.1)
E. Identifying the problem
a. May be difficult to get a good overview of the problem from reading individual studies
F. Developing Hypotheses
G. Developing the Method
VI. Literature Search Strategies
A. Most recent issues of relevant journals
B. Database search
C. Secondary source material
D. Textbooks
E. Review articles
F. Review sections of theses, dissertations, and research articles
G. Bibliographies
H. Getting up to speed on a topic
I. Primary sources are ultimately the most valuable
VII. Steps in the Literature Search
A. Write the Problem Statement
B. Consult the Secondary Sources
C. Reviews
D. Textbooks
E. Encyclopedias
F. Determine Descriptors
G. Search Preliminary Sources (abstracts and indexes)
a. Abstracts – from conferences, Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport Supplement, Medicine and Science of Sports and Exercise, Completed Research in HPERD, Dissertation Abstracts, etc.
b. Indexes – References to magazine and journal articles concerning specific topics, many of these are in the form of electronic databases (Medline, ERIC, PsycINFO)
c. Bibliographies – Lists of books and articles relative to topics. Some are annotated.
H. Library information systems – card catalogue (computerized)
I. Computer Searches
a. Adjusting the scope of the search
b. Careful planning
c. Productive key words
d. Broaden or narrow your search using Boolean operators: and, or, nor
e. Read and record the literature
If the article is particularly relevant, photocopy it and highlight the following:
1. Statement of the problem (maybe hypotheses
2. Characteristics of the participants
3. Instruments and tests used
4. Testing procedures
5. Independent and dependent variables
6. Treatments applied to participants
7. Design and statistical analysis
8. Findings
9. Questions raised for further study
10. Citations to other relevant studies not located
11. Make sure that you get the entire citation. Some journals include it in the abstract, header, or footing.
12. If you are going to be writing an article, thesis, or dissertation you might want to critique the articles you use. See page 42-43.
VIII. Writing the Literature Review
A. Introduction
1. Purpose of the review
2. How it is organized
B. Body
1. Organized according to topics
C. Summary and conclusions
The real purpose of the review is to justify why you are doing the study, and why it needs to be done.
IX. Body of the Review
A. Relevant research must be organized, synthesized, and written in clear, concise, and interesting way.
B. Organize it according to topics, which serve as subheadings in the paper.
C. Develop an outline
D. People do not want to read a serial listing of abstracts, one after another.
E. A better way is to present a concept and then discuss the findings from many sources that contribute to this topic. In this way consensus and controversy can be discussed