Summary
The purpose of a literature review is to understand your intellectual heritage, position your work in a larger tradition, and avoid common errors. It involves building on the knowledge of others, understanding inherited concepts, methods, and measures, and recognizing the intellectual tradition you belong to. Mistakes to avoid include focusing on quantity of sources, trying to be unique rather than building on existing traditions, and only relying on secondhand accounts rather than primary classics. Reading classic works helps in understanding methods, scholars’ thinking, and learning from foundational researchers like Marx and Freud to grasp intellectual history and methodology.
Purpose of Literature Review
Dr. Patton explains the purpose of a literature review as understanding your intellectual heritage and genealogy, positioning your work in the larger tradition, and avoiding common errors in conducting a literature review.
Understanding Intellectual Heritage
Undertaking an inquiry involves building on the knowledge of others, understanding inherited concepts, methods, and measures, and recognizing the intellectual tradition one belongs to.
Common Mistakes in Literature Review
Mistakes include focusing on quantity of sources over quality, seeking to position work as unique rather than building on existing traditions, and only reading secondhand accounts instead of primary classics.
Importance of Classic Works
Reading classic works for methods, understanding how scholars think, and learning from foundational researchers like Marx and Freud to grasp intellectual history and methodology.
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