Critically Reviewing Literature: A Tutorial for New Researchers

Critically reviewing the literature is an indispensible skill which is used throughout a research career. This demystifies the processes involved in systematically and critically reviewing the literature to demonstrate knowledge, identify research ideas and questions, position research and develop theory. A three stage model (assembling, arranging and assessing), each with two interrelated steps, is presented and discussed, along with practical tips and helpful examples. Although aimed primarily at research students, this information in this article will also be useful for research supervisors who wish to find ways to pass along their tacit knowledge related to this critical research skill.

[1]  D. Tranfield,et al.  Producing a systematic review. , 2009 .

[2]  Danny Miller.  Material Culture and Mass Consumption , 1987 .

[3]  C. Knappett,et al.  Material and Nonhuman Agency: An Introduction , 2018 .

[4]  Linda L. Price,et al.  The Storied Life of Singularized Objects: Forces of Agency and Network Transformation , 2010 .

[5]  Colin Jevons,et al.  Reconceptualising the Scholarship of Marketing Education–Some Futurescapes , 2018 .

[6]  Frank Alpert,et al.  Doctoral Coursework is Needed in Australasia , 2004 .

[7]  Jamie L. Callahan.  Constructing a Manuscript: Distinguishing Integrative Literature Reviews and Conceptual and Theory Articles , 2010 .

[8]  Karen V. Fernandez,et al.  Making Magic: Fetishes in Contemporary Consumption , 2011 .

[9]  D. MacInnis,et al.  Humanizing brands: When brands seem to be like me, part of me, and in a relationship with me , 2017 .

[10]  R. Torraco.  Writing Integrative Literature Reviews: Guidelines and Examples , 2005 .

[11]  Jamie L. Callahan.  Writing Literature Reviews , 2014 .

[12]  Julie A. Ruth,et al.  Product-agency benefits: Consumer perspectives and strategic implications , 2014 .

[13]  Laura M. Ahearn.  LANGUAGE AND AGENCY , 2001 .

[14]  Rebecca Reuber,et al.  Strengthening Your Literature Review , 2010 .

[15]  Karen V. Fernandez,et al.  The Effectiveness of Information and Color in Yellow Pages Advertising , 2000 .

[16]  Susan Schultz,et al.  An Integrative Review of Material Possession Attachment , 2004 .

[17]  David Denyer,et al.  Systematic Review and Evidence Synthesis as a Practice and Scholarship Tool , 2012 .

[18]  A. Money.  Material Culture and the Living Room , 2007 .

[19]  D. Tranfield,et al.  Towards a Methodology for Developing Evidence-Informed Management Knowledge by Means of Systematic Review , 2003 .

[20]  Karen V. Fernandez,et al.  The Role of Self-Construal in Resisting Tobacco Smoking , 2015 .

[21]  Richard T. Watson,et al.  Analyzing the Past to Prepare for the Future: Writing a Literature Review , 2002, MIS Q..

[22]  C. Pinson.  Some Observations and Advice from the Outgoing Editor , 2008 .

[23]  M. Uncles.  Directions in Higher Education: A Marketing Perspective , 2018 .

[24]  Russell W. Belk,et al.  Extended Self and Extending Paradigmatic Perspective , 1989 .

[25]  A. Bryman,et al.  The SAGE handbook of organizational research methods , 2009 .

[26]  Janet Borgerson.  Materiality, Agency, and the Constitution of Consuming Subjects: Insights for Consumer Research , 2005 .