THA302 Additional Advice on the Literature Review
THA302 Additional Advice on the Literature Review
As we discussed in class, I am providing additional information and guidance on THA302 Research Proposal. Below is what is written in the unit outline regarding this assessment
The objective of this assessment is for students to present a comprehensive literature review on their research proposal topic. The literature review should be examined through a critical lens rather than just a synthesis of existing literature.(ULOs 1,2,4)
Weighting-30%
Due Date Week 7
Word Count 2000 Words Maximum (See note below)
Format Written Report
This assessment will be progressively workshopped in class over the first 5 weeks. It is due Friday 4 November
Here is my updated guidance and clarification
You should consider this literature review as the initial formative review. This review can be updated and revised in the research proposal at the end of the semester.
The maximum length of this literature review should be 2000 words. However, it is likely that you can meet the requirements of this assignment in 1200-1500 words.
I have also indicated that you cannot do a comprehensive review as stated in the unit outline. 10-15 relevant academic articles, supported by business, government or professional sources is sufficient.
NOTE That you MUST consistently and comprehensively reference your sources, both in-text and in your reference list, using APA referencing.
The purpose of your review is to identify key literature in the area, leading to the proposal of a preliminary research question. You are seeking to identify holes in the literature- an area that you think will be a good area to research.
You are not just summarising literature, you are telling a story about what has been researched in the past, and what is missing.
That is why I have been encouraging you to look at the articles you have found.
Every one of the articles you have identified has a literature review that does this.
You are not undertaking a PhD. The research does not need to make a unique and new contribution to knowledge.
This research question does not need to be completely new research. It may be a replication and/or extension of an existing piece of research, using a different method or a different population or sample.
A replication is dealing with the some or all the same issues, but in a different context. Context could be a different organisation, industry, or country.
An extension is dealing with some or all the same issues but adding a new issue, method, or sample population.
For example, you may have found papers that deal with the impact of leadership style and reward on customer service quality in low-cost airlines in Europe.
A replication would be doing part or all the same study in a different context e.g.
Low-cost airlines in Asia
Full-service airlines in Europe
Low-cost hotels in Europe
Low-cost land transportation in Europe.
An extension would be doing part of all of the same study, but adding
Another issue e.g., the impact of leadership, reward and casualisation of customer service.
A different method could be that the studies have been, say qualitative case studies, or interviews, and you intend to do a quantitative survey.
A different population (or sample) could be that previous studies addressed managers, or customers, and what you might be proposing is to survey staff.
Remember also that some studies focus on individual level, some on team level, some on organisational level, and some at societal level. Some are done in one country, and some compare different countries.
The attached marking rubric was also included in the unit outline and the Moodle website. I note that there is no weighting indicated in the criteria the table below clarifies the weighting of marks against the criteria:
Critical Analysis of the literature Synthesis 70%
Style & Format 10%
Language Conventions 10%
References and citations 10%
Structure
Introduction
This should be one or two paragraphs in length. (150 words)
The introduction should include:
Topic
Statement of purpose
Structure of the assignment.
Background
This should be 2-3 paragraphs in length (250 words)
This section can be written in first person.
Background to the topic
Why you are interested in it
Why you think it is important to study this area.
Limitations- which can include that this is a preliminary review of the literature.
Review of the literature
This is your review. It should be 8-12 paragraphs (700- 1200 words)
Remember you are synthesising the literature, not merely reporting it
The aim of this section is to have a clear and logical line of argument that leads you to identifying what has been researched before, and what is missing (the holes in the literature), which lead you to the research problem you will be investigating.
See my examples earlier in this guide.
Preliminary research problem
This research question should identify the major issues that you are seeking to investigate, and state the research problem in a simple paragraph (100 words)
You do not have to have detailed research question or hypothesis, but you can include formative ones in you want. (100 words)
Conclusion
One or two paragraphs (200 words) integrating what you have said in the previous sections.
THA302 Assessment Item 1: Literature Review Marking Rubric
Criteria High Distinction
80%- Distinction
70%- 79% Credit
60-69% Pass
50-59% Fail
0-49%
Critical Analysis of the literature Synthesis Provides a critical analysis and synthesis of the revenue management practices of different sectors with relevant examples. Provides a detailed discussion of the revenue management practices of different sectors with relevant examples. Provides a brief discussion of the revenue management practices of different sectors with some examples. Identifies and lists the revenue management practices of the different sectors. Fails to identify the revenue management practices of different sectors.
Style & Format Models language, style, and format of academic writing. Style and format standards consistently applied; Accurately documented sources. Few errors of style and format; Most sources documented correctly Inconsistent style and format; Lacks precision in use of quotations and citation of sources Style/format standards not applied; Sources plagiarised; Clarity compromised by errors
Language Conventions Free of grammatical errors; Smooth flow and effective transitions Few grammatical errors; Good flow and strong transitions increase comprehensibility Generally follows grammatical conventions, but with some minor errors; Appropriate transitions Frequent grammatical errors; Ineffective transitions and flow from point to point Numerous grammatical errors, making comprehension almost impossible
References and citations Superior skill demonstrated in use of correct referencing style Proficient in paraphrasing key comments and sparing use of direct quotations
High level of skill demonstrated in use of correct referencing style
Paraphrased key comments and used direct quotations very sparingly Reasonable skill in use of correct referencing style
Direct quotations used sparingly
Some inaccuracies in use of correct referencing style
Quotations used frequently
Referencing is either insufficient or contains significant inaccuracies
Quotations over-used and/or used when irrelevant
