Instruction manual for conducting literature reviews
In the realm of academic research, the scope of a literature review is a crucial aspect, primarily shaped by the research question and the eligibility criteria that define what literature is relevant to include [1][3].
The research question serves as the most critical factor, guiding what studies, interventions, populations, outcomes, and contexts the review will cover. For instance, tools like PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome) are often used to precisely define the scope for systematic reviews [1].
Eligibility criteria refine which studies are included, often specifying things like study designs, publication dates, languages, or geographic focus [1]. Parameters such as time frame and geographical focus serve to limit the scope, ensuring the review is manageable and relevant to current or region-specific knowledge [3].
The type of literature included (e.g., peer-reviewed articles or grey literature like conference papers) will influence the scope's breadth [2][4]. The breadth or narrowness of the topic or research question strongly affects the amount of literature retrieved and reviewed, with a broader topic meaning a wider scope and larger body of literature, while a narrow topic allows for detailed and focused coverage [4].
Setting the scope requires balancing comprehensiveness with feasibility and relevance to the research objectives, often documented explicitly in the review’s introduction or project plan [3]. Identifying gaps in current literature can also shape the scope by focusing the review on under-explored areas that justify the research [5].
The length of a literature review is determined by the comprehensive coverage required to support the research goals and the specific nature of the research project. Generally, a literature review consists of an introduction, main body, and conclusion, with the main body making up 70-80% of the total word count [3].
Different types of literature reviews, such as systematic, integrative, scoping, or broad literature reviews, each have different levels of comprehensiveness and specificity based on the research purpose [2]. For example, scoping reviews provide a broad overview without the detailed synthesis required for systematic reviews, while systematic reviews are the most comprehensive due to their rigorous and inclusive nature [6].
In the case of a dissertation, a literature review is typically more comprehensive than one for a research paper or journal article. Adhering to institutional guidelines is also crucial, as they often contain specific instructions for the expected length and structure of the report [7]. The length of a literature review also depends on the research goals and the depth of reporting required for the original research.
Lastly, the inclusion of a commented bibliography can affect the length of the review. Narrative reviews are more flexible and shorter compared to systematic reviews, making them a suitable choice for less structured research projects [8]. The length of a literature review depends on several factors, including the chosen approach, institutional guidelines, and the specific requirements of the research project.
- The type and breadth of literature included in education-and-self-development research significantly impacts the scope of an online learning project, as a broader topic encompasses a larger body of literature, necessitating a more extensive review.
- In the process of guiding what studies to include in a research project focused on education-and-self-development, setting the scope requires a balance between comprehensiveness, feasibility, and relevance to the objectives, with identified gaps in current literature potentially shaping the scope by zeroing in on under-explored areas.
