Workshop on Theoretical Framework and Literature Review

Presenter: Assoc Prof Dr Esther Daniel, Faculty of Education, UM.
Venue: Dewan Bestari, Faculty of Education, UM
Time: 2.00 - 5.00p.m.
Date and Day: 21 February 2009 (Saturday)

What is Literature Review?

• a synthesis of available research
• a critical evaluation
• has appropriate breadth and depth
• has clarity and conciseness
• uses rigorous and consistent methods

What is the purpose of having literature review?

• distinguishing what has been done from what needs to be done
• discovering important variables relevant to the topic
• synthesising and gaining new perspective
• identifying relationships between ideas and practice
• establishing the context of the topic or problem
• rationalisng the significance of the problem
• enhancing and acquiring the subject vocabulary
• understanding the structure of the subject
• relating ideas and theory to applications
• identifying methodologies and techniques that have been used
• placing the research in a historical context to show familiarity with state-of-the-art developments.

Why do we conduct literature review?

• to identify gaps in current knowledge
• to avoid reinventing the wheel (of the same mistakes made by others)
• to carry on from where others have reached
• to increase your breadth of knowledge of your subject area
• to identify opposing views
• to put your work in perspective
• to identify methods that could be relevant to your project
• etc.

Organising a Literature Review

• Introduction: define the topic and elaborate your reason for selecting the topic
• Body: some ways to organise your discussion:

- Chronologically
- Thematically
- Methodologically

• Conclusion: summarise the major contributions, evaluating current position and pointing out flaws in methodology, gaps in the research, contradictions and areas for further study.

Dr Esther made a clear distinction between conceptual framework and theoretical framework at PhD level but not necessarily at masters level. Conceptual framework (could be presented graphically or in a narrative form) tells the researcher's position on the problem and shows direction of the study. Meaning, the conceptual framework established is able to describe the whole concept of your study. The framework could be adapted or modified from an existing model used in previous study. Besides, through the framework, researcher would be able to show the relationships of the different constructs that he wants to investigate.

On the other hand, theoretical framework is a structure drawn based on a formal theory that guides the researcher. The theory then evolves and develops until it becomes refined to emerge as a robust outcome of your research. Thus, the theoretical framework is but a theory that serves as a basis for conducting research.

In my humble opinion, a revised theory may emerge based on the study done and it is not necessary for a researcher to create new theories.