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How to write and cite in Chapter 2: Literature review
MARINA MARZUKI
Overview
This video explains how to structure and write a literature review (Chapter 2) for a report, emphasizing the 'funnel concept' for narrowing down research from general topics to specific issues. It details how to identify problems, existing solutions, and ultimately, the research gap your innovation will address. The video also demonstrates practical tools like Mendeley for reference management and citation, and provides formatting guidelines for a professional report, including proper use of headings, figures, tables, and citations. The goal is to guide students in creating a comprehensive and well-supported literature review that justifies their project's significance.
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Chapters
- The literature review should follow a funnel approach, starting broad and becoming increasingly specific.
- Begin with general topics related to your project's domain, then narrow down to current issues.
- Further refine by identifying the specific target community and their everyday realities.
- The final stage involves reviewing existing solutions to understand their pros and cons, leading to the identification of a research gap.
This structured approach ensures that your literature review logically progresses from a general understanding of the field to the specific problem your project aims to solve, providing a strong foundation for your research.
For a waste separation bin, start with general topics like recycling and waste management issues, then narrow down to current waste management problems in Malaysia, identify specific communities affected (e.g., households, businesses), and finally review existing waste separation bins and their limitations.
- Start with a broad overview or background of the problem domain (e.g., waste management in Malaysia).
- Discuss current issues and challenges faced by the target community.
- Analyze existing solutions or products available in the market, noting their advantages and disadvantages.
- Identify the research gap by comparing existing solutions and pinpointing areas for improvement or unmet needs.
A well-structured chapter 2 clearly demonstrates your understanding of the problem space and justifies the need for your proposed innovation by highlighting the limitations of current approaches.
A sub-section on 'Current Issues' might discuss the high costs or inefficiencies of current waste disposal methods, while 'Existing Solutions' would review different types of recycling bins available, noting if they are too expensive, bulky, or complicated to use.
- The core purpose of the literature review is to identify a gap in existing knowledge or solutions.
- Create a comparison table of existing products/methods, listing their features, pros, and cons.
- Your 'new innovation' column in the table should ideally address the identified weaknesses of existing solutions.
- The gap represents an opportunity for your project to make a significant contribution.
Clearly identifying a research gap is crucial as it provides the rationale for your project and demonstrates its novelty and potential impact.
If all existing waste separation bins are expensive and complex, the identified gap could be the need for a more affordable and user-friendly option, which your new innovation aims to provide.
- Mendeley is a free reference manager that helps organize research papers and cite them easily.
- You can add references manually or import PDFs of articles into your Mendeley library.
- Mendeley integrates with Microsoft Word, allowing for seamless insertion of citations and automatic generation of bibliographies.
- It supports various citation styles (e.g., APA, IEEE), ensuring your references meet academic standards.
Efficiently managing references with tools like Mendeley saves significant time and reduces errors, ensuring your report is properly cited and formatted.
When writing a sentence, you can click a button in Word, search for the relevant source in Mendeley, and insert the citation, which will automatically appear in the correct format.
- Use consistent formatting for headings, paragraphs, and margins (justify all paragraphs).
- Each sub-chapter should begin with an introductory paragraph.
- Figures and tables must be introduced in the preceding text and properly captioned.
- Avoid using first-person pronouns (I, we, you) and opt for a passive voice or third-person perspective.
Proper formatting and a formal writing style enhance the readability and professionalism of your report, making it easier for reviewers to understand and evaluate your work.
Instead of writing 'We conducted the survey,' use the passive voice: 'The survey was conducted.' Ensure all paragraphs are justified, not ragged on the right side.
- Cite sources immediately after using information from them to avoid plagiarism and forgetting the source.
- Use the 'Site while you write' approach by finding references as you need them for specific points.
- The bibliography (reference list) should be automatically generated by Mendeley at the end of the report.
- Ensure all data, facts, or figures taken from external sources are properly cited.
Accurate and consistent citation is fundamental to academic integrity and allows readers to verify your information and explore your sources further.
When you state a statistic, immediately insert the citation using Mendeley. At the end, click a button to generate the complete list of references in the required format.
Key takeaways
- The literature review should follow a funnel approach, moving from general concepts to specific problems and existing solutions.
- Identifying a clear research gap is essential to justify the need for your project and demonstrate its innovation.
- Tools like Mendeley are crucial for efficient reference management and accurate citation, saving time and preventing errors.
- Maintain a consistent, professional format and use a formal, passive writing style throughout your report.
- Always cite your sources immediately after using information to ensure academic integrity.
- Figures and tables must be introduced in the text and properly captioned.
- The goal of the literature review is to establish the significance of the problem and the need for your proposed solution.
Key terms
Literature ReviewFunnel ConceptResearch GapExisting SolutionsTarget CommunityMendeleyCitationBibliographyPassive VoiceJustify (Formatting)
Test your understanding
- How does the 'funnel concept' guide the structure of a literature review?
- What is a research gap, and why is it important to identify one in Chapter 2?
- What are the primary benefits of using a reference manager like Mendeley for report writing?
- Explain the importance of using a passive voice and avoiding first-person pronouns in academic reports.
- How can you ensure that all figures and tables are properly integrated and referenced within your literature review?