Educational research: Reviewing the literature

Abstract

As educators, we are often concerned with maximising learning experiences and in exploring or understanding the factors that may contribute to successful educational endeavours. Much of this may transcend into educational research, in which the literature review will be the essential component in clarifying what is already known about the topicand in documenting any unanswered questions to take the research forward. This process will often scope concepts and theories, research methods and strategies, significant controversies, and inconsistencies in findings related to the area. The literature review is the informative, evaluative and critical synthesis of a particular topic and provides readers with a clear picture of the subject and its associated range of perspectives and opposing views. In most cases, they are invaluable to readers because they collect evidence from a variety of sources that is evaluated and synthesised into a readable format.This paper provides a narrative overview of the concepts and practices of literature searching for new educational researchers within physical sciences. A guidance checklist to searching the literature and a list of suggested publication outlets is also listed.