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.
RESOURCES
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
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).
BY DAY 6
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).
references
- Yegidis, B. L., Weinbach, R. W., & Myers, L. L. (2018). Research methods for social workers(8th ed.). Pearson.
- Chapter 4: Conducting the Literature Review and Developing Research Hypotheses (pp. 71–99)
- This week, read pages 71–85.
- Philbrook, J. (2017, March 13). Literature review essentials: Identify themesLinks to an external site.. Walden University Writing Center. https://waldenwritingcenter.blogspot.com/2017/03/literature-review-essentials-identify.html
- Walden University Writing Center. (n.d.). Writing a paper: OutliningLinks to an external site.. https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/writingprocess/outlining
- Chapter 4: Conducting the Literature Review and Developing Research Hypotheses (pp. 71–99)
