ARAŞTIRMA YÖNTEMLERİ

Anderson and Arsenault defines six types of knowledge (2005, 50):

Historical knowledge. In different fields, researchers use particular lenses considered appropriate for the

time, and their research is dominated by this perspective. Besides, numerous topics keep their popularity within a specific period of date until another era starts with different frameworks and understandings. When considering the literature, it is important to keep its history in mind in case it evolves over time. Such an approach can keep you from engaging in a route that has been rejected in some past era.

Axiological knowledge. It can also be called a “theory of experience”. This kind of knowledge is created by practitioners who share their long-term experiences. Axiological knowledge may include important conclusions and generalizations. This kind of literature knowledge does not mean technicalities but the world of practice. So, the literature reviewer should notice the potential use of the axiological knowledge and avoid using it as a theory or prior research.

Theoretical and conceptual knowledge. Theoretical and conceptual knowledge is mostly based on the critical analysis of past research. They serve as a construct for further research questions. In other words, theoretical and conceptual knowledge lead and guide wresearchers to generate contemporary construct based on these early investigations and their formulations. Research “not supported with a theory” is generally suspected in academic circles. Thus, researchers should explore the theoretical ground and conceptual framework of the problem they focus on.

Prior research studies. Past research findings are essential starting points for any kind of investigation. Prior research studies have the potential to understand the historical evolution of your research problem.

Reviews. As can be understood by its name, reviews are based on the criticism of the important studies in a particular field. Reviews are very helpful to researchers in the sense that they gather a lot of specific pieces of research and cast them into frameworks and levels of generalization which may be more useful than the many other types of studies.

Academic debate. New lines of research attempts initiate academic debates in the literature. The academic debates may help a researcher to avoid the directions that have been discussed and rejected in scholarly circles. Familiarizing yourself with these six type of knowledge may help you have a good position to start and move forward with your research topic and problem.

Axiological knowledge. It can also be called a “theory of experience”. This kind of knowledge is created by practitioners who share their long-term experiences. Axiological knowledge may include important conclusions and generalizations. This kind of literature knowledge does not mean technicalities but the world of practice. So, the literature reviewer should notice the potential use of the axiological knowledge and avoid using it as a theory or prior research.

Historical knowledge. In different fields, researchers use particular lenses considered appropriate for the

time, and their research is dominated by this perspective. Besides, numerous topics keep their popularity within a specific period of date until another era starts with different frameworks and understandings. When considering the literature, it is important to keep its history in mind in case it evolves over time. Such an approach can keep you from engaging in a route that has been rejected in some past era.

Theoretical and conceptual knowledge. Theoretical and conceptual knowledge is mostly based on the critical analysis of past research. They serve as a construct for further research questions. In other words, theoretical and conceptual knowledge lead and guide wresearchers to generate contemporary construct based on these early investigations and their formulations. Research “not supported with a theory” is generally suspected in academic circles. Thus, researchers should explore the theoretical ground and conceptual framework of the problem they focus on.

New lines of research attempts initiate academic debates in the literature. The academic debates may help a researcher to avoid the directions that have been discussed and rejected in scholarly circles.

Literature review is the selection of available documents (both published and unpublished) on the topic, which contains information, ideas, data an evidence written from a particular standpoint to fulfil certain aims or express certain views on the nature of the topic and how it is to be investigated, and the effective evaluation of these documents in relation to the research being proposed.

A literature review is also considered to be a research methodology in its own right when it is carried out systematically. In other words, if a literature review (Feak and Swales, 2009, 2):

Is commenced with a well-defined research question,

Follows a systematic approach to answering that question,

Clearly documents the steps that are taken to write up,

Presents the results and discussion section, it can be taken as a research methodology as well.

A literature review is also considered to be a research methodology in its own right when it is carried out systematically. In other words, if a literature review (Feak and Swales, 2009, 2):

Is commenced with a well-defined research question,

Follows a systematic approach to answering that question,

Clearly documents the steps that are taken to write up,

Presents the results and discussion section, it can be taken as a research methodology as well.

idley (2012, 43) expresses the purpose of a literature search as follows:

To identify the field and specific context in which the topic is located.

To decide which research and methodology will be adopted, which type of data may be collected and analyzed.

To deepen your knowledge related to the key concepts of the research topic

To avoid repeating previous studies that have ben completed before your attempt and to produce an original work.

To avoid the mistakes that past studies reported.

To discover the key people, organizations, and papers related to your research topic.

Knopf (2006) expresses the benefits of a literature review as follows:

It can introduce a general overview of the previous studies which you do not know about.

It can keep away the reviewer from “reinventing the wheel” so you won’t waste your time by repeating the similar efforts.

It can inspire your research by giving new ideas.

It can enable you to figure out where there are issues or imperfections in current literature.

It can help you extend your research to inspire further studies based on your research.

Research questions should be focused, manageable, and answerable from the available literature. Accordingly, the correct answer is C.

The purposes of literatüre review includes the following:

1. To identify the field and specific context in which the topic is located

2. To decide which research and methodology will be adopted, which type of data may be collected and analyzed

3. To deepen your knowledge related to the key concepts of the research topic

4. To avoid repeating previous studies that have ben completed before your attempt and to produce an original work

5. To avoid the mistakes that past studies reported

6. To discover the key people, organizations, and papers related to your research topic

Accordingly, the correct answer is D.

The correct order of the steps of literature review are as follows: A, C, B, E, D, F, G

Boolean searching is also known as keyword searching. Accordingly, the correct answer is E.

Abstracts summarize the primary or secondary sources. Accordingly, the correct answer is C.

The internet materials that are likely to be unreliable are as follows:

1. The material on the home pages of individuals.
2. The material on organization websites that is written by enthusiasts rather than experts.
3. Free-for-all post-your-views sites (unless restricted to a recognized set of academic contributors).
4. Weblogs (blogs), chatroom pontifications, etc.

Accordingly, the correct answer is D.

The characteristics of a good literature review include the following:

I. The problems and controversial issues related to the topic should be discussed

II. The gaps in the current literature should be revealed in the literature review

III. The literature review should be presented chronologically

IV. The literature review should be long enough to persuade the reader that the literature was read extensively 

V. The potential content that have not been covered in the literature review should be explained with its reasons clearly

VI. The literature review should explain the readers how your work might contribute to the existing scholarly literature and future research

Accordingly, the correct answer is E.