Graduate student writing: Complexity in literature reviews

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cecile M. Badenhorst
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Graduate Student ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Review Literature ◽  
Student Writing ◽  
Master's Students ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Genre Awareness ◽  
Literature Reviews ◽  
Writing Complexity

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore Master’s students’ literature reviews to better understand the literacies required for engaging in complexity in this genre and to inform graduate student pedagogy.Design/methodology/approachIn this qualitative study, data were collected in the form of student literature review papers (23 drafts and 23 final versions) from students attending a research seminar course in an all-course Master’s program. All papers were analyzed for citations patterns, genre awareness and levels of complexity.FindingsResults highlight the nature of complexity in this genre – that this complexity is underpinned by discursive issues such as “truth”, “claims” or “facts” that often mislead novice academic writers, and recognizing that knowledge contested in academic contexts is important to understanding and teaching students about complexity in writing.Originality/valueOne of the most challenging writing tasks graduate students face, is the literature review. Literature reviews require sophisticated conceptual maneuverings. Despite being analytical in nature, many students find it difficult to engage with the layers of complexity required in this genre. How do we make the complexity in literature reviews more visible and accessible? The argument in this paper is that understanding the nature of complexity in literature reviews can enhance writing processes and intentional explicit pedagogy.

scholarly journals Expressions of Criticality in Expert and Student Writing: A Corpus Contrastive Analysis of Literature Reviews

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Muna Liyana Binti Mohamad Tarmizi ◽  
Anealka Aziz Hussin
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Academic Writing ◽  
Applied Linguistics ◽  
English For Academic Purposes ◽  
Student Writing ◽  
Contrastive Analysis ◽  
Student Writers ◽  
Research Journal ◽  
Literature Reviews ◽  
Integral Role

Literature review in academic writing plays an integral role in demonstrating writers’ knowledge about a field of study as well as in informing the writers of influential researchers and research groups in the field. More importantly, writers are expected to critically analyze previous studies related to their topic. Despite its importance to the academic text, student writers find it challenging to establish a critical stance and to provide evaluative judgment when reviewing the literature. This paper presents a contrastive analysis of student and expert writers’ expressions of criticality in literature review sections of 8 applied linguistics master theses from UiTM (a Malaysian public university) and 62 literature reviews of research journal articles from a similar field (i.e., Language and Communication, English for Academic Purposes and Applied Linguistics). Corpus techniques are used to identify the most common expressions of criticality used by these two groups of writers. The corpus was analyzed using detailed consistency analysis and concordance software from WordSmith Tools (Scott, 2012). Findings revealed that student writers prefer to use hedges and boosters to express criticality and the evaluations they make tend to sound more reporting rather than analyzing and synthesizing the resources critically. Results from this study are beneficial for constructing pedagogical instructions and guidelines for student writers in their critical analysis of the literature review.

Faculty–student coauthorship as a means to enhance STEM graduate students’ research skills

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 178-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
David F. Feldon ◽  
Kathan D. Shukla ◽  
Michelle Anne Maher
Keyword(s):  
Graduate Students ◽  
Graduate Student ◽  
Graduate Training ◽  
Student Writing ◽  
Research Skills ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Faculty Mentors ◽  
Academic Year

Purpose This study aims to examine the contribution of faculty–student coauthorship to the development of graduate students’ research skills in the sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by quantitatively assessing rubric-measured research skill gains over the course of an academic year compared to students who did not report participating in coauthorship with faculty mentors. Design/methodology/approach A quasi-experimental mixed methods approach was used to test the hypothesis that the influence of STEM graduate students’ mentored writing mentorship experiences would be associated with differential improvement in the development of their research skills over the course of an academic year. Findings The results indicate that students who co-authored with faculty mentors were likely to develop significantly higher levels of research skills than students who did not. In addition, less than half of the participants reported having such experiences, suggesting that increased emphasis on this practice amongst faculty could enhance graduate student learning outcomes. Originality/value Qualitative studies of graduate student writing experiences have alluded to outcomes that transcend writing quality per se and speak directly to the research skills acquired by the students as part of their graduate training. However, no study to date has captured the discrete effects of writing experiences on these skills in a quantifiable way.

What evidence on evidence-based management in healthcare?

2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (10) ◽  
pp. 2069-2084 ◽  
Author(s):  
Afsaneh Roshanghalb ◽  
Emanuele Lettieri ◽  
Davide Aloini ◽  
Lorella Cannavacciuolo ◽  
Simone Gitto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Performance Assessment ◽  
Systematic Literature Review ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Exclusion Criteria ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Literature Reviews ◽  
Process Perspective

Purpose This manuscript discusses the main findings gathered through a systematic literature review aimed at crystallizing the state of art about evidence-based management (EBMgt) in healthcare. The purpose of this paper is to narrow the main gaps in current understanding about the linkage between sources of evidence, categories of analysis and kinds of managerial decisions/management practices that different groups of decision-makers put in place. In fact, although EBMgt in healthcare has emerging as a fashionable research topic, little is still known about its actual implementation. Design/methodology/approach Using the Scopus database as main source of evidence, the authors carried out a systematic literature review on EBMgt in healthcare. Inclusion and exclusion criteria have been crystallized and applied. Only empirical journal articles and past reviews have been included to consider only well-mature and robust studies. A theoretical framework based on a “process” perspective has been designed on these building blocks: inputs (sources of evidence), processes/tools (analyses on the sources of evidence), outcomes (the kind of the decision) and target users (decision-makers). Findings Applying inclusion/exclusion criteria, 30 past studies were selected. Of them, ten studies were past literature reviews conducted between 2009 and 2014. Their main focus was discussing the previous definitions for EBMgt in healthcare, the main sources of evidence and their acceptance in hospitals. The remaining studies (n=20, 67 percent) were empirical; among them, the largest part (n=14, 70 percent) was informed by quantitative methodologies. The sources of evidence for EBMgt are: published studies, real world evidence and experts’ opinions. Evidence is analyzed through: literature reviews, data analysis of empirical studies, workshops with experts. Main kinds of decisions are: performance assessment of organization units, staff performance assessment, change management, organizational knowledge transfer and strategic planning. Originality/value This study offers original insights on EBMgt in healthcare by adding to what we know from previous studies a “process” perspective that connects sources of evidence, types of analysis, kinds of decisions and groups of decision-makers. The main findings are useful for academia as they consolidate what we know about EBMgt in healthcare and pave avenues for further research to consolidate this emerging discipline. They are also useful for practitioners, as hospital managers, who might be interested to design and implement EBMgt initiatives to improve hospital performance.

scholarly journals Journal of Intellectual Capital: a review of emerging themes and future trends

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Bellucci ◽  
Giacomo Marzi ◽  
Beatrice Orlando ◽  
Francesco Ciampi
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Future Trends ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Literature Reviews ◽  
Emerging Themes ◽  
Research Domain

PurposeThis article aims to provide a bibliometric and systematic literature analysis of studies published in the Journal of Intellectual Capital (JIC) from 2014 to 2018 in order to highlight emerging themes and future trends.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis focused on 187 papers published on JIC over a period of five years. A scientometric approach to data mining enabled the detection of patterns in the dataset. Precisely, the investigation was conducted by integrating a bibliometric analysis on VOSviewer with a systematic literature review.FindingsFour main streams of research on JIC emerged in the years of the analysis: reporting and disclosure of intellectual capital; intellectual capital research in universities, education and public sector; knowledge management; intellectual capital, financial performance, and market value.Research limitations/implicationsThe study offers valid insights to the topics covered by the Journal of Intellectual Capital by identifying the main research gaps and trends, along with future research avenues.Originality/valuePrior scholars mostly focused on systematic literature reviews, whilst the use of bibliometric methods generally seems to be a missing tile in the research domain. Also, none of the extant studies has focused on the Journal of Intellectual Capital with reference to the 2014–2018 period. The use of both bibliometric and systematic approaches to literature review delivered extremely fine-tuned results in terms of factors such as citations, contents and evolution of clusters over time.

scholarly journals The Principal’s Leadership in Implementing the Full-Day Kindergarten: A Literature Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 04 (03) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nanik Lestari ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Student Achievement ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Education Program ◽  
Teacher Performance ◽  
Review Literature ◽  
Kindergarten Education ◽  
Full Day Kindergarten ◽  
Literature Reviews ◽  
The World ◽  
Full Day

The importance of the principal’s leadership in implementing the full-day kindergarten education program attracted authors to research and this article discusses the results of the literature review conducted by the authors. There are a number of articles about the principal’s leadership review and full-day kindergarten implementation especially in the context of the world that can be found. The purpose of this review is to find out the principal’s leadership in implementing full-day kindergarten in a world context. Based on the results of literature reviews from various countries in the world, the authors found the scope of the articles reviewed is still very limited and it is very difficult to get literature that combines the two variables, therefore, the authors would be positively explain the findings for each variable. The results of the review literature on school principal’s leadership show that the principal’s leadership in carrying out his role as a leader has an impact on teacher performance and student achievement. The results of the review literature on the implementation of a full day kindergarten show that children who attend kindergarten (FDK) a full day experience academic and development benefits compared to children who attend a half-day program. Thus, the authors are interested in following up related to the principal’s leadership in implementing full-day kindergarten.

scholarly journals Bridging the gap between theory and practice in management accounting

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 1486-1509 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Pieter Jansen
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Practical Problem ◽  
Management Accounting ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Theoretical Knowledge ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Accounting Research ◽  
Academic Knowledge ◽  
Literature Reviews ◽  
Definition Of

Purpose Although management accounting tools and techniques are developed to solve practical problems in organizations, there is a lot of criticism of management accounting research for not having an impact on practice. In interventionist research, the “shaping” of an intervention to solve a practical problem is an important step. The purpose of this paper is to explore how the findings of management accounting research can be reviewed to make them practically applicable in shaping an intervention. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on the author’s experiences with an interventionist research project. Findings Systematic literature reviews, which are common in engineering and medicine, bring together the academic knowledge that can contribute to solutions for a specific practical problem, including a definition of the ways in which this knowledge can be applied. Inspired by the methodology for conducting such reviews, this paper proposes how interventionist management accounting researchers can use existing theoretical knowledge in shaping interventions that aim to solve a practical problem. After an intervention, the analysis of the intervention’s unforeseen effects can provide a basis for the refinement of the theory identified in the literature review. Research limitations/implications Such a literature review can be organized according to four approaches to taking theoretical knowledge into practice. Unforeseen effects of the intervention can guide the selection of additional theory that helps to interpret these effects and refine normative and academic theory. Originality/value In management accounting it is uncommon to review the literature with the aim of shaping a solution for a practical problem. This paper explores how literature reviews that focus on a specific practical problem can contribute to bridging the gap between theory and practice.

Linking marketing and supply chain management in the strategy of demand chains via a review of literature reviews

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bingfeng Bai ◽  
Junjun Gao ◽  
Yang Lv
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Management ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Review Of Literature ◽  
Chain Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Demand Chain ◽  
Literature Reviews

Purpose This paper aims to assess the links among these demand chain constructs by conducting a full-scale systematic review of all demand chain management (DCM) literature reviews published in marketing and operations management journals from 2013 to 2020. Marketing and supply chain management are central to DCM; thus, this study briefly describes the contributions to knowledge provided by the papers contained in this issue. In addition, some additional areas of research in which the DCM can be gainfully deployed are outlined. Design/methodology/approach This paper makes a systematic literature review of 70 literature samples by means of content analysis and comprehensive analysis. These approaches guarantee a replicable, rigorous and transparent research process and minimize researcher bias. The analytical categories required for the content analysis are defined along the constructs of marketing and supply chain management. Findings As can be expected, this paper highlights the key role of the two constructs in the strategy of DCM. In this light, the paper claims to provide evidence of a link between the constructs of marketing and supply chain management. This paper reviews the connotation of DCM through literature review, distinguishes the relationship between DCM and supply chain management from a strategic management perspective and discusses the future research direction. Research limitations/implications This study assesses the link between the strategic constructs of marketing and supply chain management through research embedded in literature reviews, pinpointing research gaps and potential future research directions in the field. Contributing to DCM theory building, a thorough review provides qualitative comparison of the link between marketing and supply chain management. Originality/value Although some literature reviews have been conducted in the past on the constructs of DCM, no full review of literature reviews aiming to test a strategic theoretical link in the demand chain related to supply chain and marketing.

scholarly journals Development finance, blended finance and insurance

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-60
Author(s):  
Hongjoo Jung
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Blended Learning ◽  
International Development ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Review Literature ◽  
Development Cooperation ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Development Finance ◽  
Public And Private Sector

PurposeThis research aims to review literature on development finance and its challenge and to examine blended learning and insurance as a catalysts of development finance. In particular, this paper provides new insights and practical examples of blended finance and insurance.Design/methodology/approachThis research basically relies on literature review and case study to show the value of the emerging methods of blended learning in development finance and insurance system.FindingsBasic finding in this paper includes new insight of blended finance and insurance as a partnership between public and private sector, which offers new arena for academic research and practice.Originality/valueAs the research relies on literature review and authors' insight, originality may not be valued so much, but if may be introducing or creating new ideas or thinking about development finance or international development cooperation where relevant data or experience is still lacking.

Logistics flexibility: a systematic review

2015 ◽  
Vol 64 (7) ◽  
pp. 947-970 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamid Jafari
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Past ◽  
Literature Reviews ◽  
Narrative Literature ◽  
Emerging Themes ◽  
Methodological Considerations ◽  
Chain Level

Purpose – There is a lack of consensus in conceptualizing and defining logistics flexibility as a distinct construct among supply chain scholars. The purpose of this paper is to systematically analyze the existing literature on logistics flexibility. Design/methodology/approach – By taking a systematic approach to literature review, a total of 100 academic articles were content analyzed. As a general framework, the classification broadly provided by Zhang et al. (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006) was applied in order to increase the consistency and validity of the review. Findings – The results show that logistics flexibility has gained an increasing academic attention in the past two decades in terms of the number of published articles. First, the various terminologies often used in relation to logistics flexibility are explored. Second, the definitions of logistics flexibility at various levels of analysis are presented along with methodological considerations of the current literature. It is shown that most of the existing articles claim to study the matter at the chain level. The main methodological tools used in studying logistics flexibility are revealed as well as the fact that the majority of the empirical studies correspond to the manufacturing industry. Moreover, a synthesis of the principal measures used to gauge logistics flexibility is provided. Finally, current and emerging themes in logistics flexibility research are highlighted. The study also underlines the main measures used in studying logistics flexibility. Research limitations/implications – This paper only focusses on academic articles published in journals and does not include other contributions such as books, etc. The systematic literature review facilitates further conceptual and empirical studies; however, more narrative literature reviews could complement the results of this study. Originality/value – This paper is unique in the sense that it specifically reviews the literature on logistics flexibility in a systematic fashion. The content analysis has been carried out using NVivo 10 enabling the systematic nature of the review as well as increasing the pedagogical value of the method.

A thematic analysis of research on global sourcing and international purchasing in retail firms

2013 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Jonsson ◽  
Daniel Tolstoy
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Review Literature ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Global Sourcing ◽  
Foreign Markets ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Thematic Review

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to offer a thematic analysis of global sourcing and international purchasing issues in international retail firms. Design/methodology/approach – We review literature that addresses purchasing/sourcing activities of retail firms in foreign markets. We categorize this literature into different themes and analyse how these themes are conceptually or empirically linked to performance. We then use the thematic analysis as a foundation for suggesting potential avenues for future research. Findings – Four distinct themes emerge from our literature review. Originality/value – There is a lack of research that addresses how retail firms can extract value from global sourcing and international purchasing activities. A thematic review, along with a careful classification of different themes, could lead to an enhanced understanding of the processes and objectives that underpin global sourcing and international purchasing activities in retail firms.

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