Background Research is the KEY to giving you a better understanding of your topic.
This is the initial stage of research and is VITAL to gain fuller understanding of the different directions your initial idea could take you in.
It will help you discover what is generally known about your topic and help you refine the ideas you have to help make your perspective more unique.
Why is this Important?
The key words will help find relevant information faster. Key words can be searched using indexes in books or online search engines and databases.
Once you have your general topic:
Write a sentence or two about your topic
Underline the key words in your sentence(s)
Create a list for these key words
Add more by writing down synonyms
Example: Video Games
Sentence: I want to investigate the idea that video games makes children and young people more violent
Keywords, Synonyms & Related Terms:
Further Example:
Research Question: What impact does public healthcare have on low income households in the United States compared to those in Canada?
|
Keyword |
Synonym |
|
Public |
popular, general, common, communal, collective, shared, joint, universal, widespread |
|
Healthcare |
Health management, wellness program, health maintenance, health protection, preventive medicine, primary care |
|
Low income |
Underprivileged, poor, needy, impoverished, indigent |
|
Households |
Domestic establishment, home, family home |
|
United States |
US, USA, America, The States |
|
Canada |
"Developing Keywords (Univ. of Houston Libraries)." YouTube, uploaded by VUstew,
U of Houston, 28 June 2016, youtu.be/BdPFdFvGRvI. Accessed 29 Mar. 2023.
Encyclopedia - Skim encyclopedia articles on the key words.
Google - Use key words to search online for general information.
Books - Skim over the introduction and table of contents of a book pertaining to the topic.
As you get an overview of the general topic, start to ask questions that you want to get answers for. This will help to further narrow your topic and help with the research process.
Screenshot of Search Results:
Definition:
A literature review is a summative evaluation of what has already been written (or said) about a given topic
Purpose:
To better understand the topic, make links between your ideas/methods and those of others, consider whether your ideas challenge or support existing consensus, situate your views within context of existing viewpoints, track any major trends/patterns in terms of interpretation, allow you to identify value & limitations of source material
Why:
To successfully tackle your EE your need a link to pre-existing literature, so a literature review forms a foundation & supports the development of your own voice
How:
You are trying to find out the following
Interpretations:
Identify what interpretations exist and if there are any patterns emerging among them
Identify alternatives justifications or judgements
Methodology:
Identify what approaches are best suited or recommended for your chosen topic/area of study
Identify alternative methodological approaches to your topic/area of study
Results:
Determine which approach or sources are more reliable
Identify any biases that may have affected the end results
Use the following questions to help conduct your literature review:
Arguments What are the main arguments or interpretations to emerge from the literature?
Themes What are the main themes or areas covered by the literature reviewed?
Sections What sections (or headings) can I sub-divide my topic into?
Problems What are the key problems relating to my topic that emerge out of the review that I need to address?
Consensus What consensus of opinion or comparisons between sources exists?
Contrast What contrasting opinions exist within the literature reviewed?
Method How can the chosen theory or model be applied to your investigation?
Limitations What limitations can be identified in the method chosen or sources selected?
Adapted from: Lekanides, Kosta. Oxford IB Diploma Programme: Extended Essay Course Companion. Oxford University Press, 2016, pp. 58-60.