How can you overcome common challenges in literature review and synthesis?

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A literature review is a critical analysis and synthesis of the existing research on a topic, usually conducted as part of a larger project or paper. It can help you identify gaps, contradictions, and trends in the literature, as well as refine your research question and methodology. However, literature review and synthesis can also pose some common challenges, such as finding relevant and reliable sources, organizing and comparing different perspectives, and avoiding plagiarism and bias. In this article, you will learn some practical tips and strategies to overcome these challenges and produce a high-quality literature review and synthesis.

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1 Finding sources

One of the first steps in literature review and synthesis is to find and select the sources that are relevant and credible for your topic and purpose. You can use various databases, search engines, and bibliographies to locate sources, but you also need to evaluate them for their quality, authority, and currency. Some criteria to consider are the publication date, the author's credentials, the source's scope and coverage, the evidence and arguments presented, and the references cited. You can also use tools such as citation analysis, peer review, and impact factor to assess the impact and relevance of a source.

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Mohammad Afaque Alam

Immunologist, Stem cell biologist, In-vitro/In-vivo disease model, microRNA, Flowcytometry, NSG
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Overcoming common challenges in literature review and synthesis is essential for conducting robust and well-founded research. Here are some strategies to address these challenges effectively:1) Narrowing down the research scope. 2) Comprehensive search strategy. 3) Quality assessment. 4) Organizing and managing references. 5) Dealing with conflicting evidence. By employing these strategies, researchers can effectively overcome common challenges in literature review and synthesis, leading to a well-structured, comprehensive, and valuable contribution to the academic community.

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Amanda Fetch, MSc

Top LinkedIn Community AI, Research, Data Science Voice| AI Innovation Leader/Mentor| Board Director| MITXPRO AI Learning Facilitator| PhD Tech/AI Candidate Space Situational Awareness??Harvard Business Analytics Program
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When conducting research and selecting sources for your literature review or synthesis, it's crucial to prioritize current and recent materials. Ideally, the majority of your sources should be published within the last five years. This emphasis on recency ensures that you're utilizing the most up-to-date information and incorporating recent advancements and developments in your field. While older sources can still be valuable for historical context or foundational knowledge, relying primarily on recent publications enhances the relevancy and accuracy of your work. By staying current, you can better engage with the ongoing conversations and debates within your area of study, ultimately bolstering the credibility and rigor of your research.

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Michelle Hiltebrand Mohsenin

Drug Safety, PV Literature SME | Heart Transplant, CHD, HLHS Advocate
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Some databases provide the ability to apply filters to narrow down your search results along with the ability to exclude terms based upon in depth indexing including sub heading that have been manually curated (e.g. relationship extraction of the drug to the adverse drug reaction, or medical device ti device effect)

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2 Organizing sources

Once you have collected and evaluated your sources, you need to organize them in a way that helps you compare and contrast their main points, methods, findings, and implications. You can use different methods to organize your sources, such as thematic, chronological, methodological, or theoretical. You can also use tools such as tables, matrices, maps, or charts to visually display and categorize your sources. The key is to group your sources according to the common themes, patterns, or gaps that emerge from your analysis, and to relate them to your research question and objectives.

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3 Synthesizing sources

Synthesizing sources means integrating and combining the information and ideas from different sources into a coherent and meaningful whole. It is not enough to simply summarize or paraphrase each source individually; you need to show how they relate to each other and to your own argument or perspective. You can use various techniques to synthesize sources, such as comparing and contrasting, identifying similarities and differences, finding connections and relationships, and drawing conclusions and implications. You can also use transitions, connectors, and signposts to guide your reader through your synthesis and show how you are building on or challenging the existing literature.

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Izelle Labuschagne
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When synthesising, the initial outcomes are linked to core purpose of the literature review and then subsequently other interesting ideas could also be highlighted.

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4 Avoiding plagiarism

Plagiarism is the act of using someone else's words, ideas, or data without giving proper credit or acknowledgment. It is a serious academic offense that can damage your reputation and credibility, as well as result in penalties or sanctions. To avoid plagiarism, you need to follow the rules and conventions of citation and referencing in your discipline and style guide. You also need to use quotation marks, paraphrasing, and summarizing appropriately and accurately, and to indicate clearly where you are using your own voice and where you are citing or referring to other sources. You can also use tools such as plagiarism checkers, citation generators, and style guides to help you avoid plagiarism and ensure academic integrity.

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Humza Ahmad

| Public Speaker ?? | Pre-Sales ambassador ?? | Technology Evangelist ?? | Solution Engineer ?????? | Advisor on DEI ?? |
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You've captured the essence of plagiarism and the necessity to avoid it through proper citation and referencing. I'd like to add that understanding plagiarism goes beyond merely following rules. It's about fostering a culture of integrity and originality in academia and professional work. Taking the time to truly understand, internalize, and critically engage with the sources fosters a deeper connection to the subject. Tools like plagiarism checkers are helpful, but cultivating an attitude that values original thought and ethical scholarship is equally essential. It contributes to the credibility and authenticity of not just an individual's work, but the wider body of knowledge.

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5 Avoiding bias

Bias is the tendency to favor or oppose a certain point of view, perspective, or argument based on your own assumptions, beliefs, or preferences. It can affect your literature review and synthesis by influencing your selection, interpretation, and evaluation of sources, as well as your own position and claims. To avoid bias, you need to be aware of your own assumptions and biases, as well as those of the sources you are using. You also need to be critical and objective in your analysis and synthesis, and to consider alternative or opposing viewpoints and evidence. You can also use tools such as peer feedback, self-reflection, and checklists to help you identify and reduce bias and enhance your credibility and validity.

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Humza Ahmad

| Public Speaker ?? | Pre-Sales ambassador ?? | Technology Evangelist ?? | Solution Engineer ?????? | Advisor on DEI ?? |
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Absolutely agree that avoiding bias is critical in literature review and synthesis. Alongside your excellent suggestions, considering the methodological rigor of the sources can add another layer of objectivity. Employing a multidisciplinary approach might also expose different perspectives and enhance the depth of the review. Ensuring transparency in the selection process and openly discussing potential limitations may further fortify the integrity of the synthesis.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Olutoun S.

Find Fulfillment Beyond Your Niche | Driving Global Health Impact | Spearheading Africa's Capacity Building in Vaccines | Mentoring & Empowering Future Healthcare Leaders | Shea Butter Skincare Research | x-USAID, USP
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Another thing that I've found helpful is to collaborate with others. Just the way you'd do a literature research, you should also seek feedback and insights from colleagues or mentors to enhance the quality of your literature review and synthesis.

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How can you overcome common challenges in literature review and synthesis?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Finding sources

2 Organizing sources

3 Synthesizing sources

4 Avoiding plagiarism

5 Avoiding bias

6 Here’s what else to consider

Research

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How can you overcome common challenges in literature review and synthesis?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Finding sources

2 Organizing sources

3 Synthesizing sources

4 Avoiding plagiarism

5 Avoiding bias

6 Here’s what else to consider

Research

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