Literature review

 A literature review is a "written document that presents a logically argued case founded on a comprehensive understanding of the current state of knowledge about a topic of study." (Anthony, et., 2012) The literature review needs a systematic identification, location, and analysis of the research study documents. (Slideplayer, 2015)

Fraenkel and Wallen identified six general steps for a literature review: "1. Define the research problem as precisely as possible, 2. Look at relevant secondary sources, 3. Select and peruse one or two appropriate general reference works, 4. Formulate search terms (keywords or phrases) pertinent to the problem or question of interest, 5. Search the general references for relevant primary sources, 6. Obtain and read relevant primary sources, and note and summarize key points in the sources." (Fraenkel, 2006, p. 68) There are four methods for conducting a literature review: "Narrative Review, Descriptive Review, Vote Counting, and Meta-Analysis," and we will compare them in a Qualitative method vs. a Quantitative method. 

Qualitative literature review vs. Quantitative literature review

Meta-analysis is the most rigorous literature review method used in quantitative research for a systematic review to synthesize and summarize the results. The meta-analysis method is powerful and entirely objective for evaluating research findings.

On the other hand, the narrative literature review is the most common and useful method to get the most perspectives from the research, and it is mostly used in a Qualitative research method.

In between Meta-analysis, and Narrative literature methods, we have Vote counting and Descriptive review in terms of using them in a Quantitative model and Qualitative. In other words, there are few criteria that we can compare literature review between these two methods including:

1- Data set collection and analysis: in Quantitative research, we use Meta-analysis that focuses on data, reflected by the operationalization of variables, the magnitude of effect sizes, and the sample size, whereas data set is a study of the whole, not variables in a Qualitative literature method. (Rumrill, 2001)

2- Roles of researcher's judgments and effects: there are standardized procedures, fewer judgments, and less subjective in Meta-analysis (Quantitative research), whereas researchers usually make judgments that support their own background and opinions. (Rumrill, 2001)

3- Samples of study: Meta-analysis (Quantitative model) enables researchers to sample studies that show insignificant effects, whereas in Narrative-review (Qualitative model), the researcher use strategy to make the results and classifications. (Rumrill, 2001)

4- Cumulative impacts: Meta-analysis (Quantitative model) enables researchers to make a cumulative impact on insignificant results that turns to significant at the end (after analysis), whereas there is no cumulative impact in a Narrative-review (a Qualitative study). (Rumrill, 2001)

5- Mixed used: Vote-counting and Descriptive-review can be used in both forms of study (a Qualitative, Quantitative, or mixed); however, Vote-counting is most likely used in Quantitive, and Descriptive-review likely is used in a Qualitative method. (Rumrill, 2001)

6- Type of data analysis: Quantitative literature method (e.g., Meta-analysis) is to identify the statistical relationship, whereas a Qualitative literature model focuses on identifying patterns, features, and themes.

7- Nature of reality: Meta-analysis is objective and single reality literature, whereas Qualitative literature tries multiple subjective realities. (Myperfectwords, 2020)

8- There is more to talk about in this article, but it is out of the scope of this article.

Reference

Anthony, J., Nancy, L. Leech, Kathleen, M. T. Collins, (2012). The Qualitative Report. ed.gov. Retrieved 2022, from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ981457.pdf

Fraenkel, J. R., & Wallen, N. E. (2006). How to design and evaluate research in education with PowerWeb (6th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Myperfectwords. (2020). Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research - Methodology & Design. Myperfectwords.Com. Retrieved 2022, from https://www.myperfectwords.com/blog/research-paper-guide/qualitative-vs-quantitative-research

Rumrill, Fitzgerald, P. D. J. S. M. (2001). Literature Review –. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY. Retrieved 2022, from https://doresearch.wordpress.com/category/literature-review/

Slideplayer. (2015, July 12). Ppt Video Online Download. Retrieved 2022, from https://slideplayer.com/amp/5309159/

Snyder, H. (2019). Just a moment. . . Journal of Business Research. Retrieved 2022, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0148296319304564