A literature review is a critical section in a research study. After finding a suitable topic of study, the researcher is often enthusiastic to find more information concerning the topic and how other scholars view the subject. As a result, conducting a literature review is a mandatory exercise for all the researchers. The literature review is a section most researchers do not take seriously. People rush while reviewing past documentsso that they can initiate real research without properly analyzing other authors’ view on the topic of research. As a result, people may find themselves stuck, and as a result, conduct small research which lacks credibility. However, the researchers who are keen, and grant this section a due seriousness carry out a deep analysis and realizes that there is critical similarities and differences while approaching literature review between a qualitative study and quantitative research. Literature review “ involves the systematic identification, location, and analysis of documents containing information related to the research problem”(Ramalho et al., 2015). A review of records is critical as it gives details of the author's perceptions and conclusion about the topic of study. Such pieces of information are crucial as they help in guiding the researcher throughout the study. The past documentations are also essential in detailing sample data and statistics which may relate to thetopic of research. The researcher can use such statistics as a point of references or for comparison purposes. Above all, the literature review presentation and analysis varies depending on the type of study of the researchers’ interest. The discussion in this article aims at unveiling these similarities and differences.
Similarities and differences in Literature review for qualitative and quantitative research
Qualitative research study involves narrations and proving theories which draw their bases on different assumptions. In a qualitative research study, there is less statistical data; as a result, the study is less engaging with regards to findings and analysis. The literature review, in this case, is less engaging when put in comparison to quantitative research studies. On the other hand, quantitative research is seriously engaging. The author has to prove facts by presenting figures, data, tables as well as calculations on how he or she has arrived at his or her conclusion. The literature review section, in this case, is thus engaging and needs a lot of details.
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The literature review for qualitative research revolves around a desire to qualify or disqualify assumptions or a hypothesis about the research topic of interest. As a result, most of the issues at the literature review takes the form of narrations, interviews, and examples of cases similar to the issue on the topic of study. However, this is different from the quantitative research study. Literature review section in a quantitative research study is purposefully to examine facts, evaluate studies, and data the authors present and tie them to conclusions. It also analyzes empirical studies and findings to able the researcher to conclude to help the researcher in developing his or her research(Liñán & Fayolle, 2015). Lastly, the literature review for a qualitative research study has no systematic organisations. The researcher only needs to make up arguments that emphasize his or her knowledge on the issues of discussion as well as a hypothesis. It can take the form of the definition of critical terms and a discussion of their meaning or argumentative terms which reviews the logic behind different authors' arguments concerning the issues. On the other hand, the literature review section for quantitative research is a critical section and needs a proper arrangement and organisations of statistical data and facts which will support the author’s view at the discussion stage.
The literature review for both qualitative and quantitative studies have some similarities. In both cases, a literature review is a critical stage that makes the author understands different views and comments as well as conclusions from various resources that acts as guidance throughout the entire research. In both cases, the literature review provides the researcher with “an opportunity to identify any gaps that may exist in the body of literature and to provide a rationale for how the proposed study may contribute to the existing body of knowledge”, either through providing data or theories that are helpful in that field (Spruijt et al., 2014).Further, the literature review in both cases helps the researcher exhibits his or her knowledge on the subject matter. Through reviewing and criticizing the views as well as conclusion both theoretically and data imply that the researcher is well conversant with the topic of discussion, and aims at bridging the gap that exists on this topic of discussion. Lastly, the literature review section is critical for both research since it acknowledges the contribution of other scholars on the subject, and their attempt to reveals essential information that helps in guiding the current study.
In summary, the literature review section has a different approaching depending on whether the research is a qualitative or quantitative study. Whereas quantitative research studies need an in-depth analysis of literature review while presenting data and facts concerning the topic, qualitative research needs a narrative and straightforward or an argumentative literature review with the aim of proving the thesis and understanding other scholars views on different theories that underline the topic of study. However, in both cases, the literature review is critical in understanding other scholars' arguments on the matter, acknowledge their contribution, and also drawing some knowledge concerning the background of the topic under discussion.
References
Liñán, F., & Fayolle, A. (2015). A systematic literature review on entrepreneurial intentions: citation, thematic analyses, and research agenda. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal , 11 (4), 907-933.
Ramalho, R., Adams, P., Huggard, P., & Hoare, K. (2015, August). Literature review and constructivist grounded theory methodology. In Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung/Forum: Qualitative Social Research (Vol. 16, No. 3).
Spruijt, P., Knol, A. B., Vasileiadou, E., Devilee, J., Lebret, E., & Petersen, A. C. (2014). Roles of scientists as policy advisers on complex issues: a literature review. Environmental Science & Policy , 40 , 16-25.
