The Literature Review : A Comprehensive Six Step Guide
The step-by-step process using an applied critical-thinking model needed to produce a quality literature review
Updated on Jun, 2025
Language - English
Teaching and Academics ,Other Teaching & Academics,Research Methods
Lectures -26
Duration -1.5 hours
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Course Description
This course serves as a logical road map to guide the researchers and students from finding a topic to researching, organizing, arguing, and composing the review. This course consists of four steps:
Step 1. Select a Topic — Recognize and Define the Problem
Step 2. Develop the Tools for Argument — Create a Process for Solving the Problem
Step 3. Search the Literature — Collect and Organize the Information
Step 4. Survey the Literature — Discover the Evidence and Build Findings
Step-5. Critique the Literature — Interpret the findings
Step-6. Write the Review — Communicate and evaluate the conclusions
Along with details of the main concepts, each section contains activities and checklists to master the contents in a professional manner. Creating a successful literature review is a complex project. This course serves as a logical road map to guide the researcher from finding a topic to researching, organizing, arguing, and composing the review. The many and varied skills needed for literature review are sure to be more difficult to employ if learning is confined to trial and error. Here, gathered into one volume, are many of the strategies, tools, and techniques used by experienced researcher’s intent on building a high-quality literature review.
The course is directly aligned and explained using an applied critical-thinking model that demonstrates the logical progression needed to produce a quality literature review, while taking the mystery out of the process. This course is mainly intended for two groups of researchers: those completing master’s theses and those working on doctoral dissertations. For those doing a class research assignment or completing most master’s degree projects, the course will address the type of literature review that summarizes and evaluates the existing knowledge on a particular topic. Some master’s theses, and all doctoral dissertations, require a more sophisticated literature review. This course is also useful for the initial stage of completing a complex literature review, one that requires the student to argue and define a problem needing original research.
Goals
- The main goal of this online course is to guide students through the process of conducting a literature review for a qualitative research project. The course is divided into several steps, starting with the selection of a topic that aligns with their personal or professional interests. In step 1, students will learn to recognize and define the research problem, in step 2, students will develop the tools for argument, creating a process for solving the problem. In step 3, students will learn to search the literature, collecting and organizing the information. Step 4, students will survey the literature, discovering the evidence and building findings. Step 5, students will critique the literature and interpret the findings, and in step 6, students will learn to write the review and communicate and evaluate the conclusions. Through the course, students will learn the key concepts, techniques, and skills needed to conduct a comprehensive literature review and will be able to successfully apply these skills in their own research projects.
Prerequisites
- Research Methods Basics
Curriculum
Check out the detailed breakdown of what’s inside the course
Course Introduction
4 Lectures
-
Course Introduction
04:26
04:26
-
Instructor Introduction
02:18
02:18
-
Mindset Personal Dispositions on Thinking
07:12
07:12
-
The Purpose of Literature Review
03:35
03:35
Select a Topic— Recognize and Define the Problem
6 Lectures
Develop the Tools for Argument
8 Lectures
Searching relevant literature
2 Lectures
Survey the Literature
3 Lectures
Critique the Literature
2 Lectures
Write the Review
1 Lectures
Instructor Details
Muhammad Shakil Ahmad
About me
Dr. Muhammad Shakil Ahmad is a distinguished academic and researcher specializing in the field of management. Possessing a Doctorate in Management, he brings forth a wealth of knowledge and expertise, particularly in the domains of human resource management and project management. Dr. Ahmad's unwavering dedication to education and research is evident through his extensive instructional experience at esteemed institutions across various universities.
Over the course of his career, Dr. Ahmad has made noteworthy contributions to the academic sphere. He has authored numerous research papers published in esteemed peer-reviewed journals, including notable outlets such as the Journal of Knowledge Management, Leadership & Organization Development, and the Journal of Intellectual Capital. His research interests encompass diverse areas such as workplace dignity, servant leadership, sustainable healthcare management systems, and organizational sustainability through innovation.
In addition to his roles in teaching and research, Dr. Ahmad has assumed pivotal leadership positions. Serving as the In-charge of the Office of Research Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC), he collaborated closely with senior management to establish research objectives and supervise the development of junior faculty. Furthermore, he has actively participated in academic councils and boards, thereby contributing significantly to the advancement of higher education. Dr. Ahmad also received the Young Scholar Award, nominated by the American Society of Public Administration in 2015. He is a member of numerous examination committees and editorial boards, actively involved in overseeing research dissertations and publications at close proximity. He is also member of several societies and associations of worldwide repute including; American Society of Public Administration (ASPA); Community of Inquiry Framework, University of Calgary, Canada; Associate Regional Director at International Institute of Marketing Professionals, Canada.
Dr. Ahmad's commitment to research and his proficiency in securing grants for crucial projects underscore his dedication to creating a positive impact on society. Notably, he has successfully obtained grants from esteemed organizations such as the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Oman and the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan. These grants have supported various research initiatives, including projects focused on economic vision, healthcare management systems, and online learning readiness.
Given his extensive academic and professional background, Dr. Muhammad Shakil Ahmad commands high regard in the field of research, publications, dissertation and grant writing. His expertise, impactful research contributions, and leadership experience render him an exemplary instructor and mentor for individuals seeking to augment their knowledge and skills in management.
Few of his publications are as follow:
Systematic Literature Reviews:
1. Tariq, S. , Jan, F. A. , Ahmad, M. S. (2016) “Green Employee Empowerment: A Systematic Literature Review on State-of-art in Green Human Resource Management”, Quality and Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, 50(1), 237-269
2. Ahmad, M. S. (2019) Parenting styles and aggression among young adolescents: a systematic review of literature. Community Mental Health Journal
3. Ahmad, M. S. (2015), Parenting styles and academic achievement of young adolescents: A systematic literature review, Quantity and Quality
Journal Articles:
Ahmad, M. S. et al. (2020), “Using food choice motives to model Pakistani ethnic food purchase intention among tourists”, British Food Journal, 22(6), 1731-1753
Memon, M., Ting, H. & Ahmad, M. S. (2020) “Performance Appraisal Satisfaction and Turnover Intention: The Mediating Role of Work Engagement”, Management Decision, 58 (6), 1053-1066
Faisal, A., Ahmad, M.S. (2019), “Health Practitioners interaction with Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives: Impact on Prescription Behaviour”, Community Mental Health Journal, 56, 456–463
Cho, K. W., Brower, R., & Ahmad, M. S. (2018). Factors that Influence County Government Expenditures and Revenues: A Study of Florida County Governments. Lex localis-Journal of Local Self-Government, 16(1), 47-76.
Zahid, M. M., Ali, B., Ahmad, M. S., Ramayah, T., “Factors Affecting Purchase Intention and Social Media Publicity of Green Products: The Mediating Role of Concern for Consequences”, Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 25(3), 225-236
Ahmad, M. S., Abu Talib, Noraini (2017), “Barriers to empowerment: Assessment of community-led local development organizations in Pakistan, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 74, 1361–1370
Uzma, T; Ahmad, M.S. (2017) “Impact of Islamic Work Ethics on organizational Citizenship Behavior among Female Academic Staff: The mediating role of employee engagement”, Applied Research in Quality of Life, 12(3), 693-717
Wahab, A. , Ahmad, M. S. (2017), “Student Well-Being in Chinese Adolescents in Hong Kong: Theory, Intervention and Research”, Applied Research in Quality of Life, 12(3), 761-763
Bhutto, A.W., Ahmad, M. S. (2017), “Forecasting the consumption of gasoline in transport sector in Pakistan based on ARIMA model”, Environmental Progress and Sustainable Energy, 36: 1490–1497
Khalid, S., Ahmad, M. S., Jadoon, I. K, Bilal, S.,Farooq,, N., “Exploring Resources, Life-balance and Wellbeing of Women who work in a Global Context, Applied Research in Quality of Life, 12 (4), 1029-1031
Ahmad, M. S., Abu Talib, Noraini (2016), “Analysis of community empowerment on projects sustainability: Moderating role of sense of community”, Social Indicators Research, 129 (3), 10391056
Ahmad, R., Azmi, N., Ahmad, M. S. (2016), “Effect of Multidimensional Top Management Support on Project Success: An Empirical investigation”, Quality and Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, 50(1), 151-176
Masud, Hamid, Ahmad, M. S., Jan, F. A. , Jamil., A. (2016) “Relationship between parenting styles and academic performance of adolescents: mediating role of self-efficacy.” Asia Pacific Education Review, 17, 121-131
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