Literature Review in Aged Services

Writing a Proposal for a Literature review

Write a proposal of no more than 1-2 pages. It is important that you bring your proposals along with you to the Library Workshop

Library Commons City.

What is a literature review?

A literature review essentially discusses published information on a particular topic organised according to a particular research question. More specifically, a literature review is an up-to-date, comprehensive in coverage, [often] critical discussion of research and other material related to a particular topic.

1.1 A literature review is necessary for several reasons:

• to ensure that work is not being duplicated, or, put another way, to tell us what is already known in the field;
• to provide the reader of the research with the results of other related studies;
• relate the study to a larger dialogue;
• extend prior studies and possibly allow the results of a study to be benchmarked with others; and
• it can also be a rich source of themes that may merit further pursuit .

2.0 Why does a literature review in Aged Services?

• provide source of ideas on topics related to aged services
• utilise sources of information on research already done by others
• show where your study ‘fits' what is known about the topic
• demonstrate the ‘gap' in the literature
• acknowledge and critique the work of others upon whom you are building
• compare and contrast different authors' views on the topic
• compare your research and that of others
• critique methodological or theoretical ideas
• provide the relevant context for your study
• make clear the relationship of previous research to your topic
• utilise information that is an integral or supportive part of the research
• gain an appreciation for various theoretical interpretations of the findings of past studies
• understand methodological issues of past studies
• gain a knowledge of the gaps in current understanding of the topic in question

1. Demonstrate knowledge of current research and evidence of wide reading

2. Demonstrate a critical reflective approach to an evidenced-based review of the literature

3. Understand the process of a coherent structure in developing an evidence-based argument

4. Capacity to synthesise ideas that illustrate an understanding of the complexity of the issues

5. Determine a coherent structure and flow of ideas

6. Ability to integrate scholarly writing and demonstrate clear links between components

7. Draw conclusions that lend themselves to further research

8. Demonstrate an awareness of limitations