Literature Review

Core Competencies

1. Systematic Search - Reproducible, comprehensive search strategies
2. Critical Appraisal - Quality assessment of sources
3. Synthesis - Thematic integration across sources
4. Gap Identification - Locating research opportunities
5. Narrative Construction - Weaving sources into argument

Module 1: Systematic Search Strategy

The PICO(S) Framework

For empirical research questions:

Database Selection

Search String Construction

Boolean operators:

("artificial intelligence" OR "AI" OR "machine learning")
AND
("adoption" OR "acceptance" OR "intention")
AND
("UTAUT" OR "TAM" OR "technology acceptance")

Truncation and wildcards:

• adopt* → adoption, adopting, adopter
• behavio?r → behavior, behaviour

Search Protocol Template

## Search Protocol

**Research Question**: [Your RQ]
**Date Conducted**: [Date]
**Databases Searched**: [List]

### Search Terms
- Primary: [terms]
- Secondary: [terms]
- Exclusions: [terms with NOT]

### Inclusion Criteria
- Published: [date range]
- Language: [languages]
- Study type: [empirical, theoretical, etc.]
- Peer-reviewed: [yes/no]

### Exclusion Criteria
- [List exclusions]

### Results
| Database | Initial Hits | After Dedup | After Title Screen | After Abstract Screen | Final |
|----------|--------------|-------------|--------------------|-----------------------|-------|

Module 2: Source Management

The Funnel Process

Initial Search Results (hundreds)
        ↓ Title screening
Potentially Relevant (~50-100)
        ↓ Abstract screening
Candidates for Full-Text (~30-50)
        ↓ Full-text review
Included Sources (~15-30)
        ↓ Backward/forward citation
Final Corpus (~20-40)

Screening Criteria

Quick reject (title/abstract):

• Wrong population
• Wrong intervention
• Wrong outcome
• Non-empirical (if seeking empirical)
• Wrong language
• Duplicate

Full-text assessment:

• Methodological rigor
• Relevance to research question
• Contribution to synthesis

Citation Tracking

Backward citation (reference mining):

• Review reference lists of key papers
• Find foundational works
• Identify theoretical ancestry

Forward citation (cited by):

• Use Google Scholar "Cited by"
• Find recent developments
• Identify methodological improvements

Module 3: Critical Appraisal

Quality Assessment Dimensions

Study Type Checklists

Quantitative survey studies:

• Sample size adequate (power analysis?)
• Response rate reported
• Validated instruments used
• Reliability reported (Cronbach's α)
• Common method bias addressed
• Appropriate statistical analysis

Qualitative studies:

• Sampling strategy justified
• Data saturation discussed
• Researcher positionality stated
• Coding process transparent
• Member checking or triangulation

SEM/CFA studies:

• Model fit indices reported (CFI, RMSEA, SRMR)
• Convergent validity (AVE ≥ .50)
• Discriminant validity (HTMT < .85)
• Sample size adequate (N ≥ 200 preferred)

Module 4: Synthesis Strategies

Thematic Synthesis

1. Code individual sources - Key concepts, findings, methods
2. Group codes into themes - Patterns across sources
3. Develop analytical narrative - What themes mean together

Example themes for AIRS research:

• Trust and reliance
• Value perception
• Effort-benefit trade-offs
• Social and organizational factors

Comparative Matrix

Theoretical Integration

Identifying theoretical tensions:

• Where do theories contradict?
• What boundary conditions apply?
• How can conflicts be resolved?

Building theoretical contribution:

• What's missing from current theories?
• How does your work extend understanding?
• What new constructs are needed?

Module 5: Gap Identification

Types of Research Gaps

Gap Articulation Template

## Research Gap

**What we know**: [Summary of existing knowledge]

**What we don't know**: [The gap]

**Why it matters**: [Significance of filling gap]

**How this study addresses it**: [Your contribution]

Module 6: Writing the Literature Review

Structure Options

Chronological:

• Best for: Tracing evolution of a concept
• Risk: Can become mere historical summary

Thematic:

• Best for: Synthesizing diverse perspectives
• Risk: May obscure temporal development

Methodological:

• Best for: Evaluating research approaches
• Risk: Can be dry, less engaging

Theoretical:

• Best for: Comparing frameworks
• Risk: Requires deep theory knowledge

The Funnel Structure

Broad context (the problem space)
    ↓
Theoretical foundations (key theories)
    ↓
Prior empirical work (what's been studied)
    ↓
Gap and contribution (what's missing → your work)

Synthesis vs. Summary

❌ Summary (weak):

"Smith (2020) found X. Jones (2021) found Y. Brown (2022) found Z."

✅ Synthesis (strong):

"While early studies emphasized X (Smith, 2020), subsequent research revealed the moderating role of Y (Jones, 2021), leading to more nuanced frameworks that integrate both factors (Brown, 2022)."

Transition Phrases for Synthesis

Quick Reference

Literature Review Checklist

• Search strategy documented and reproducible
• Multiple databases searched
• Inclusion/exclusion criteria explicit
• Backward and forward citation completed
• Sources critically appraised
• Themes identified across sources
• Gaps clearly articulated
• Synthesis (not just summary)
• Clear link to research questions

Common Pitfalls

Activation Patterns

Skill created: 2026-02-10 | Category: Research | Status: Active

Synapses

• [.github/skills/citation-management/SKILL.md] (High, Uses, Bidirectional) - "Lit review requires proper citations"
• [.github/skills/academic-paper-drafting/SKILL.md] (High, Feeds, Forward) - "Lit review becomes paper section"
• [.github/instructions/empirical-validation.instructions.md] (Medium, Applies, Forward) - "Evidence-based source evaluation"