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The Science of Literature Reviews: Searching, Identifying, Selecting, and Synthesising

Author

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  • Uchendu Eugene Chigbu

    (Department of Land and Spatial Sciences, Namibia University of Science and Technology, Windhoek 9000, Namibia)

  • Sulaiman Olusegun Atiku

    (Department of Economic and Business Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha 5100, South Africa
    Harold Pupkewitz Graduate School of Business, Namibia University of Science and Technology, Windhoek 9000, Namibia)

  • Cherley C. Du Plessis

    (Department of Marketing, Logistics and Sport Management, Namibia University of Science and Technology, Windhoek 9000, Namibia)

Abstract

The ability to conduct an explicit and robust literature review by students, scholars or scientists is critical in producing excellent journal articles, academic theses, academic dissertations or working papers. A literature review is an evaluation of existing research works on a specific academic topic, theme or subject to identify gaps and propose future research agenda. Many postgraduate students in higher education institutions lack the necessary skills and understanding to conduct in-depth literature reviews. This may lead to the presentation of incorrect, false or biased inferences in their theses or dissertations. This study offers scientific knowledge on how literature reviews in different fields of study could be conducted to mitigate against biased inferences such as unscientific analogies and baseless recommendations. The literature review is presented as a process that involves several activities including searching, identifying, reading, summarising, compiling, analysing, interpreting and referencing. We hope this article serves as reference material to improve the academic rigour in the literature review chapters of postgraduate students’ theses or dissertations. This article prompts established scholars to explore more innovative ways through which scientific literature reviews can be conducted to identify gaps (empirical, knowledge, theoretical, methodological, application and population gap) and propose a future research agenda.

Suggested Citation

  • Uchendu Eugene Chigbu & Sulaiman Olusegun Atiku & Cherley C. Du Plessis, 2023. "The Science of Literature Reviews: Searching, Identifying, Selecting, and Synthesising," Publications, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-16, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jpubli:v:11:y:2023:i:1:p:2-:d:1027811
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Raminta Pranckutė, 2021. "Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus: The Titans of Bibliographic Information in Today’s Academic World," Publications, MDPI, vol. 9(1), pages 1-59, March.
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    1. Tripathy, Prajukta & Jena, Pabitra Kumar & Mishra, Bikash Ranjan, 2024. "Systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis of energy efficiency," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
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    3. Asa Romeo Asa & Davy Julian Du Plessis & Sulaiman Olusegun Atiku, 2024. "Virtual Learning Experiences Among Postgraduate Students in Namibia," International Journal of Innovation and Economic Development, Inovatus Services Ltd., vol. 10(1), pages 7-22, April.

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