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Top 20 MCQs on literature review with answers

MCQs on literature review : The primary purpose of literature review is to facilitate detailed background of the previous studies to the readers on the topic of research.

In this blog post, we have published 20 MCQs on Literature Review (Literature Review in Research) with answers.

20 Multiple Choice Questions on Literature Review

1. Literature is a 

Written Record

Published Record

Unpublished Record

All of these

2. Which method of literature review involves a non-statistical method to present data having the feature of systematic Method too?

Narrative Method

Systematic Method

Meta-Analysis Method of Literature Review

Meta-Synthesis Method of Literature Review

3. Comparisons of non-statistical variables are performed under which method of literature review?

4. Literature review is not similar to

Annotated Bibliography 

5. APA Style, MLA Style, Chicago Manual, Blue Book, OSCOLA are famously known as

Citation Manuals

Directories

Abbreviation Manuals

6. Literature collected is reviewed and preferably arranged 

Alphabetically

Chronologically

None of these

7. Literature collected for review includes

Primary and Secondary Sources

Secondary and Tertiary Sources

Primary and Tertiary Sources

8. Literature includes

Previous Studies

Scholarly publications

Research Findings

9. No time frame is set to collect literature in which of the following method of compiling reviews?

Traditional Method

10. Which method of the literature review is more reliable for drawing conclusions of each individual researcher for new conceptualizations and interpretations?

11. The main purpose of finalization of research topics and sub-topics is

Collection of Literature

Collection of Questions

Collection of Statistics

Collection of Responses

12. Literature review is basically to bridge the gap between

Newly established facts

Previously established facts

Facts established time to time

Previous to current established facts

13. The last step in writing the literature review is 

Developing a Final Essay

Developing a Coherent Essay

Developing a Collaborated Essay

Developing a Coordinated Essay

14. The primary purpose of literature review is to facilitate detailed background of 

Present Studies

Previous studies

Future Studies

15. Narrative Literature Review method is also known as 

Advanced Method

Scientific Method

16. Which method of literature review starts with formulating research questions?

17. Which method of literature review involves application of clinical approach based on a specific subject.

18. Which literature review involves timeline based collection of literature for review

19. Which method of literature review involves application of statistical approach?

20. Which literature review method involves conclusions in numeric/statistical form?

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Literature Review

A literature review is a written summary of the findings of a literature ________ search review proposal

Rate this question:

In the powerpoint we indicate there are three key aspects to a literature review : summarising, synthesising and ______________ referencing citing paraphrasing evaluating

Your literature review is a list of all the work published on your topic and who argues what. true or false , there are different ways to organise your literature review. tick all which apply.

Chronologically

Thematically

Methodologically

Anyway that makes sense to me; it's my work!

A visual ______ map might help you plan the structure of the literature review

When you are referencing correctly you will probably have an in-_____ citation and a bibliography/reference list. (although this might depend on which referencing style you are using).

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What is a Literature Review? How to Write It (with Examples)

A literature review is a critical analysis and synthesis of existing research on a particular topic. It provides an overview of the current state of knowledge, identifies gaps, and highlights key findings in the literature. 1 The purpose of a literature review is to situate your own research within the context of existing scholarship, demonstrating your understanding of the topic and showing how your work contributes to the ongoing conversation in the field. Learning how to write a literature review is a critical tool for successful research. Your ability to summarize and synthesize prior research pertaining to a certain topic demonstrates your grasp on the topic of study, and assists in the learning process. 

Table of Contents

• What is the purpose of literature review? 
• a. Habitat Loss and Species Extinction: 
• b. Range Shifts and Phenological Changes: 
• c. Ocean Acidification and Coral Reefs: 
• d. Adaptive Strategies and Conservation Efforts: 
• How to write a good literature review 
• Choose a Topic and Define the Research Question: 
• Decide on the Scope of Your Review: 
• Select Databases for Searches: 
• Conduct Searches and Keep Track: 
• Review the Literature: 
• Organize and Write Your Literature Review: 
• Frequently asked questions 

What is a literature review?

A well-conducted literature review demonstrates the researcher’s familiarity with the existing literature, establishes the context for their own research, and contributes to scholarly conversations on the topic. One of the purposes of a literature review is also to help researchers avoid duplicating previous work and ensure that their research is informed by and builds upon the existing body of knowledge.

What is the purpose of literature review?

A literature review serves several important purposes within academic and research contexts. Here are some key objectives and functions of a literature review: 2  

• Contextualizing the Research Problem: The literature review provides a background and context for the research problem under investigation. It helps to situate the study within the existing body of knowledge. 
• Identifying Gaps in Knowledge: By identifying gaps, contradictions, or areas requiring further research, the researcher can shape the research question and justify the significance of the study. This is crucial for ensuring that the new research contributes something novel to the field. 
• Understanding Theoretical and Conceptual Frameworks: Literature reviews help researchers gain an understanding of the theoretical and conceptual frameworks used in previous studies. This aids in the development of a theoretical framework for the current research. 
• Providing Methodological Insights: Another purpose of literature reviews is that it allows researchers to learn about the methodologies employed in previous studies. This can help in choosing appropriate research methods for the current study and avoiding pitfalls that others may have encountered. 
• Establishing Credibility: A well-conducted literature review demonstrates the researcher’s familiarity with existing scholarship, establishing their credibility and expertise in the field. It also helps in building a solid foundation for the new research. 
• Informing Hypotheses or Research Questions: The literature review guides the formulation of hypotheses or research questions by highlighting relevant findings and areas of uncertainty in existing literature. 

Literature review example

Let’s delve deeper with a literature review example: Let’s say your literature review is about the impact of climate change on biodiversity. You might format your literature review into sections such as the effects of climate change on habitat loss and species extinction, phenological changes, and marine biodiversity. Each section would then summarize and analyze relevant studies in those areas, highlighting key findings and identifying gaps in the research. The review would conclude by emphasizing the need for further research on specific aspects of the relationship between climate change and biodiversity. The following literature review template provides a glimpse into the recommended literature review structure and content, demonstrating how research findings are organized around specific themes within a broader topic. 

Literature Review on Climate Change Impacts on Biodiversity:

Climate change is a global phenomenon with far-reaching consequences, including significant impacts on biodiversity. This literature review synthesizes key findings from various studies: 

a. Habitat Loss and Species Extinction:

Climate change-induced alterations in temperature and precipitation patterns contribute to habitat loss, affecting numerous species (Thomas et al., 2004). The review discusses how these changes increase the risk of extinction, particularly for species with specific habitat requirements. 

b. Range Shifts and Phenological Changes:

Observations of range shifts and changes in the timing of biological events (phenology) are documented in response to changing climatic conditions (Parmesan & Yohe, 2003). These shifts affect ecosystems and may lead to mismatches between species and their resources. 

c. Ocean Acidification and Coral Reefs:

The review explores the impact of climate change on marine biodiversity, emphasizing ocean acidification’s threat to coral reefs (Hoegh-Guldberg et al., 2007). Changes in pH levels negatively affect coral calcification, disrupting the delicate balance of marine ecosystems. 

d. Adaptive Strategies and Conservation Efforts:

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the literature review discusses various adaptive strategies adopted by species and conservation efforts aimed at mitigating the impacts of climate change on biodiversity (Hannah et al., 2007). It emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary approaches for effective conservation planning. 

How to write a good literature review

Writing a literature review involves summarizing and synthesizing existing research on a particular topic. A good literature review format should include the following elements. 

Introduction: The introduction sets the stage for your literature review, providing context and introducing the main focus of your review. 

• Opening Statement: Begin with a general statement about the broader topic and its significance in the field. 
• Scope and Purpose: Clearly define the scope of your literature review. Explain the specific research question or objective you aim to address. 
• Organizational Framework: Briefly outline the structure of your literature review, indicating how you will categorize and discuss the existing research. 
• Significance of the Study: Highlight why your literature review is important and how it contributes to the understanding of the chosen topic. 
• Thesis Statement: Conclude the introduction with a concise thesis statement that outlines the main argument or perspective you will develop in the body of the literature review. 

Body: The body of the literature review is where you provide a comprehensive analysis of existing literature, grouping studies based on themes, methodologies, or other relevant criteria. 

• Organize by Theme or Concept: Group studies that share common themes, concepts, or methodologies. Discuss each theme or concept in detail, summarizing key findings and identifying gaps or areas of disagreement. 
• Critical Analysis: Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each study. Discuss the methodologies used, the quality of evidence, and the overall contribution of each work to the understanding of the topic. 
• Synthesis of Findings: Synthesize the information from different studies to highlight trends, patterns, or areas of consensus in the literature. 
• Identification of Gaps: Discuss any gaps or limitations in the existing research and explain how your review contributes to filling these gaps. 
• Transition between Sections: Provide smooth transitions between different themes or concepts to maintain the flow of your literature review. 

Conclusion: The conclusion of your literature review should summarize the main findings, highlight the contributions of the review, and suggest avenues for future research. 

• Summary of Key Findings: Recap the main findings from the literature and restate how they contribute to your research question or objective. 
• Contributions to the Field: Discuss the overall contribution of your literature review to the existing knowledge in the field. 
• Implications and Applications: Explore the practical implications of the findings and suggest how they might impact future research or practice. 
• Recommendations for Future Research: Identify areas that require further investigation and propose potential directions for future research in the field. 
• Final Thoughts: Conclude with a final reflection on the importance of your literature review and its relevance to the broader academic community. 

Conducting a literature review

Conducting a literature review is an essential step in research that involves reviewing and analyzing existing literature on a specific topic. It’s important to know how to do a literature review effectively, so here are the steps to follow: 1  

Choose a Topic and Define the Research Question:

• Select a topic that is relevant to your field of study. 
• Clearly define your research question or objective. Determine what specific aspect of the topic do you want to explore? 

Decide on the Scope of Your Review:

• Determine the timeframe for your literature review. Are you focusing on recent developments, or do you want a historical overview? 
• Consider the geographical scope. Is your review global, or are you focusing on a specific region? 
• Define the inclusion and exclusion criteria. What types of sources will you include? Are there specific types of studies or publications you will exclude? 

Select Databases for Searches:

• Identify relevant databases for your field. Examples include PubMed, IEEE Xplore, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. 
• Consider searching in library catalogs, institutional repositories, and specialized databases related to your topic. 

Conduct Searches and Keep Track:

• Develop a systematic search strategy using keywords, Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT), and other search techniques. 
• Record and document your search strategy for transparency and replicability. 
• Keep track of the articles, including publication details, abstracts, and links. Use citation management tools like EndNote, Zotero, or Mendeley to organize your references. 

Review the Literature:

• Evaluate the relevance and quality of each source. Consider the methodology, sample size, and results of studies. 
• Organize the literature by themes or key concepts. Identify patterns, trends, and gaps in the existing research. 
• Summarize key findings and arguments from each source. Compare and contrast different perspectives. 
• Identify areas where there is a consensus in the literature and where there are conflicting opinions. 
• Provide critical analysis and synthesis of the literature. What are the strengths and weaknesses of existing research? 

Organize and Write Your Literature Review:

• Literature review outline should be based on themes, chronological order, or methodological approaches. 
• Write a clear and coherent narrative that synthesizes the information gathered. 
• Use proper citations for each source and ensure consistency in your citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.). 
• Conclude your literature review by summarizing key findings, identifying gaps, and suggesting areas for future research. 

The literature review sample and detailed advice on writing and conducting a review will help you produce a well-structured report. But remember that a literature review is an ongoing process, and it may be necessary to revisit and update it as your research progresses. 

Frequently asked questions

A literature review is a critical and comprehensive analysis of existing literature (published and unpublished works) on a specific topic or research question and provides a synthesis of the current state of knowledge in a particular field. A well-conducted literature review is crucial for researchers to build upon existing knowledge, avoid duplication of efforts, and contribute to the advancement of their field. It also helps researchers situate their work within a broader context and facilitates the development of a sound theoretical and conceptual framework for their studies.

Literature review is a crucial component of research writing, providing a solid background for a research paper’s investigation. The aim is to keep professionals up to date by providing an understanding of ongoing developments within a specific field, including research methods, and experimental techniques used in that field, and present that knowledge in the form of a written report. Also, the depth and breadth of the literature review emphasizes the credibility of the scholar in his or her field.  

Before writing a literature review, it’s essential to undertake several preparatory steps to ensure that your review is well-researched, organized, and focused. This includes choosing a topic of general interest to you and doing exploratory research on that topic, writing an annotated bibliography, and noting major points, especially those that relate to the position you have taken on the topic. 

Literature reviews and academic research papers are essential components of scholarly work but serve different purposes within the academic realm. 3 A literature review aims to provide a foundation for understanding the current state of research on a particular topic, identify gaps or controversies, and lay the groundwork for future research. Therefore, it draws heavily from existing academic sources, including books, journal articles, and other scholarly publications. In contrast, an academic research paper aims to present new knowledge, contribute to the academic discourse, and advance the understanding of a specific research question. Therefore, it involves a mix of existing literature (in the introduction and literature review sections) and original data or findings obtained through research methods. 

Literature reviews are essential components of academic and research papers, and various strategies can be employed to conduct them effectively. If you want to know how to write a literature review for a research paper, here are four common approaches that are often used by researchers.  Chronological Review: This strategy involves organizing the literature based on the chronological order of publication. It helps to trace the development of a topic over time, showing how ideas, theories, and research have evolved.  Thematic Review: Thematic reviews focus on identifying and analyzing themes or topics that cut across different studies. Instead of organizing the literature chronologically, it is grouped by key themes or concepts, allowing for a comprehensive exploration of various aspects of the topic.  Methodological Review: This strategy involves organizing the literature based on the research methods employed in different studies. It helps to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of various methodologies and allows the reader to evaluate the reliability and validity of the research findings.  Theoretical Review: A theoretical review examines the literature based on the theoretical frameworks used in different studies. This approach helps to identify the key theories that have been applied to the topic and assess their contributions to the understanding of the subject.  It’s important to note that these strategies are not mutually exclusive, and a literature review may combine elements of more than one approach. The choice of strategy depends on the research question, the nature of the literature available, and the goals of the review. Additionally, other strategies, such as integrative reviews or systematic reviews, may be employed depending on the specific requirements of the research.

The literature review format can vary depending on the specific publication guidelines. However, there are some common elements and structures that are often followed. Here is a general guideline for the format of a literature review:  Introduction:   Provide an overview of the topic.  Define the scope and purpose of the literature review.  State the research question or objective.  Body:   Organize the literature by themes, concepts, or chronology.  Critically analyze and evaluate each source.  Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the studies.  Highlight any methodological limitations or biases.  Identify patterns, connections, or contradictions in the existing research.  Conclusion:   Summarize the key points discussed in the literature review.  Highlight the research gap.  Address the research question or objective stated in the introduction.  Highlight the contributions of the review and suggest directions for future research.

Both annotated bibliographies and literature reviews involve the examination of scholarly sources. While annotated bibliographies focus on individual sources with brief annotations, literature reviews provide a more in-depth, integrated, and comprehensive analysis of existing literature on a specific topic. The key differences are as follows: 

References 

• Denney, A. S., & Tewksbury, R. (2013). How to write a literature review.  Journal of criminal justice education ,  24 (2), 218-234. 
• Pan, M. L. (2016).  Preparing literature reviews: Qualitative and quantitative approaches . Taylor & Francis. 
• Cantero, C. (2019). How to write a literature review.  San José State University Writing Center . 

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Literature Reviews

• What is a literature review?
• Steps in the Literature Review Process
• Define your research question
• Determine inclusion and exclusion criteria
• Choose databases and search
• Review Results
• Synthesize Results
• Analyze Results
• Librarian Support

What is a Literature Review?

A literature or narrative review is a comprehensive review and analysis of the published literature on a specific topic or research question. The literature that is reviewed contains: books, articles, academic articles, conference proceedings, association papers, and dissertations. It contains the most pertinent studies and points to important past and current research and practices. It provides background and context, and shows how your research will contribute to the field. 

A literature review should: 

• Provide a comprehensive and updated review of the literature;
• Explain why this review has taken place;
• Articulate a position or hypothesis;
• Acknowledge and account for conflicting and corroborating points of view

From  S age Research Methods

Purpose of a Literature Review

A literature review can be written as an introduction to a study to:

• Demonstrate how a study fills a gap in research
• Compare a study with other research that's been done

Or it can be a separate work (a research article on its own) which:

• Organizes or describes a topic
• Describes variables within a particular issue/problem

Limitations of a Literature Review

Some of the limitations of a literature review are:

• It's a snapshot in time. Unlike other reviews, this one has beginning, a middle and an end. There may be future developments that could make your work less relevant.
• It may be too focused. Some niche studies may miss the bigger picture.
• It can be difficult to be comprehensive. There is no way to make sure all the literature on a topic was considered.
• It is easy to be biased if you stick to top tier journals. There may be other places where people are publishing exemplary research. Look to open access publications and conferences to reflect a more inclusive collection. Also, make sure to include opposing views (and not just supporting evidence).

Source: Grant, Maria J., and Andrew Booth. “A Typology of Reviews: An Analysis of 14 Review Types and Associated Methodologies.” Health Information & Libraries Journal, vol. 26, no. 2, June 2009, pp. 91–108. Wiley Online Library, doi:10.1111/j.1471-1842.2009.00848.x.

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Hannah Chapman Tripp : Biology, Neuroscience

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Janelle Hedstrom : Special Education, Curriculum & Instruction, Ed Leadership & Policy ​

Susan Macicak : Linguistics

Imelda Vetter : Dell Medical School

For help in other subject areas, please see the guide to library specialists by subject .

Periodically, UT Libraries runs a workshop covering the basics and library support for literature reviews. While we try to offer these once per academic year, we find providing the recording to be helpful to community members who have missed the session. Following is the most recent recording of the workshop, Conducting a Literature Review. To view the recording, a UT login is required.

• October 26, 2022 recording
• Last Updated: Oct 26, 2022 2:49 PM
• URL: https://guides.lib.utexas.edu/literaturereviews

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Literature Review - A Self-Guided Tutorial

• Literature Reviews: A Recap
• Reading Journal Articles
• Does it describe a Literature Review?
• 1. Identify the question
• 2. Review discipline styles
• Searching article databases - video
• Finding the article full-text
• Citation chaining
• When to stop searching
• 4. Manage your references
• 5. Critically analyze and evaluate
• 6. Synthesize
• 7. Write literature review

Quiz: What Have You Learned?

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What is the Purpose of a Literature Review?

4-minute read

• 23rd October 2023

If you’re writing a research paper or dissertation , then you’ll most likely need to include a comprehensive literature review . In this post, we’ll review the purpose of literature reviews, why they are so significant, and the specific elements to include in one. Literature reviews can:

1. Provide a foundation for current research.

2. Define key concepts and theories.

3. Demonstrate critical evaluation.

4. Show how research and methodologies have evolved.

5. Identify gaps in existing research.

6. Support your argument.

Keep reading to enter the exciting world of literature reviews!

What is a Literature Review?

A literature review is a critical summary and evaluation of the existing research (e.g., academic journal articles and books) on a specific topic. It is typically included as a separate section or chapter of a research paper or dissertation, serving as a contextual framework for a study. Literature reviews can vary in length depending on the subject and nature of the study, with most being about equal length to other sections or chapters included in the paper. Essentially, the literature review highlights previous studies in the context of your research and summarizes your insights in a structured, organized format. Next, let’s look at the overall purpose of a literature review.

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Literature reviews are considered an integral part of research across most academic subjects and fields. The primary purpose of a literature review in your study is to:

Provide a Foundation for Current Research

Since the literature review provides a comprehensive evaluation of the existing research, it serves as a solid foundation for your current study. It’s a way to contextualize your work and show how your research fits into the broader landscape of your specific area of study.  

Define Key Concepts and Theories

The literature review highlights the central theories and concepts that have arisen from previous research on your chosen topic. It gives your readers a more thorough understanding of the background of your study and why your research is particularly significant .

Demonstrate Critical Evaluation 

A comprehensive literature review shows your ability to critically analyze and evaluate a broad range of source material. And since you’re considering and acknowledging the contribution of key scholars alongside your own, it establishes your own credibility and knowledge.

Show How Research and Methodologies Have Evolved

Another purpose of literature reviews is to provide a historical perspective and demonstrate how research and methodologies have changed over time, especially as data collection methods and technology have advanced. And studying past methodologies allows you, as the researcher, to understand what did and did not work and apply that knowledge to your own research.  

Identify Gaps in Existing Research

Besides discussing current research and methodologies, the literature review should also address areas that are lacking in the existing literature. This helps further demonstrate the relevance of your own research by explaining why your study is necessary to fill the gaps.

Support Your Argument

A good literature review should provide evidence that supports your research questions and hypothesis. For example, your study may show that your research supports existing theories or builds on them in some way. Referencing previous related studies shows your work is grounded in established research and will ultimately be a contribution to the field.  

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Ensure your literature review is polished and ready for submission by having it professionally proofread and edited by our expert team. Our literature review editing services will help your research stand out and make an impact. Not convinced yet? Send in your free sample today and see for yourself! 

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Introduction, main educational benefits, conclusions, acknowledgements, ethics statements, educational benefits of writing multiple-choice questions (mcqs) with evidence-based explanation.

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Faiz Tuma, Educational benefits of writing multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with evidence-based explanation, Postgraduate Medical Journal , Volume 98, Issue 1156, February 2022, Pages 77–78, https://doi.org/10.1136/postgradmedj-2021-139876

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Facilitating learning has been the focus of extensive research to identify efficient strategies and activities. Solving problems and learning through questions have been widely used to enhance active learning by exposure to inquiry or problem for which answers are needed. The process involves memory retrieval, understanding, application and critical thinking skills. However, writing questions involves all the above learning strategies at a deeper level and broader application. Writing is a commonly known tool of thinking and learning. 1   2 Writing questions provides the additional learning skills of analysing, evaluating and creating knowledge.

The educational and learning value of writing questions is well established. 3   4 Writing multiple-choice question (MCQ) style was significantly positively correlated with test grades. 5 Cognitive strategies of writing questions about study topics result in better comprehension and test results. 6 Teaching by encouraging learners to write questions as a form of inquiry is mostly done to enhance further learning. The benefits of this style of teaching are well discussed in the literature. 7 However, this educational practice can be taken a step further by teaching to write formal questions in the format of well-structured MCQs with providing evidence-based explanations. MCQs are ubiquitously used in medical education for formative and summative assessment. 8 The process of writing MCQs includes the challenges of creating vetted questions in higher-order learning activities. The learning benefits of writing formal MCQ style of questions with evidence-based explanations are many. They involve all the known benefits of generating inquiry questions plus several additional benefits. There are limited reports in the literature describing generating MCQs in medical education. 7 Hence, the aim of this article is to review and summarise the learning benefits of writing formal MCQs with evidence-based explanations drawn from the available literature and the authors' experience.

Developing scholarly writing skills

Scholarly writing requires a special style and writing format that be developed with deliberate practicing and learning the specifics of the skills. 9 Writing is considered one of the most powerful ways of learning and thinking. In writing, learners self-regulate, refine and enhance learning skills and critical thinking. 10 Writing MCQs that can be used publicly by other learners or programmes is a highly scholarly educational activity. With this objective in mind, writing requires scholarly tone and precision. Learning these skills will be acquired and enhanced by producing and revising the ultimate product under supervision with feedback.

Reviewing the literature and using evidence-based knowledge

Writing MCQs requires a thorough literature review to provide sound evidence and exclude misconceptions. 11 A literature review provides a valuable learning experience to develop searching skills, critical appraisal skills, and constructing the evidence on sound research principles. A significant amount and high-quality information will be reviewed. Selecting controversial topics or new updates for the questions is key to maximise learning through literature review and evidence-based practice.

Developing teaching skills

Writing MCQs with the aim of providing teaching points and sharing knowledge will inspire learners to develop and refine their teaching skills. Teaching activities are well recognised as a valuable and efficient learning strategies. Besides enhancing learning from a different perspective, writing questions can connect and correlate between learning and assessment. 12 The combined use of learning and assessment enhances engagement and active learning, ultimately maximising learning quality and efficiency. Participating in regional or national efforts to build questions library or banks can enhance the educational benefits of writing MCQs.

Evaluating learning

In addition to its learning benefits, writing questions can be used as an evaluation of learner's knowledge at various levels. 13 It assesses several learning competencies and requires minimal effort from the evaluator. 14 Writing simple factual information-based MCQs measures memorisation and understanding, while writing scenario-based MCQs measure competencies of higher cognitive skills such as applying, analysing, evaluating and creating. The later competencies are difficult to assess with other assessment methods. MCQs of scenarios derived from the clinical practice and training experiences enable evaluating clinical performance that may not be possible to evaluate objectively with other means.

Verifying and validating own knowledge

The exercise of writing questions enhances enforcing knowledge after verifying and evaluating the content. 12   15 Learning is turned into an active process by examining and evaluating information to consolidate, clarify or modify learners' knowledge. Functioning at higher cognitive learning of analysing and evaluating knowledge can be enhanced through this exercise. Choosing topics of common use in the clinical practice to solidify learning will foster mastering these essential topics.

Broadening the scope of knowledge

Writing formal MCQs requires a broader and deeper knowledge acquisition. Comprehensive knowledge is necessary to tackle various potential pertinent educational points and present them accurately and clearly. Writing MCQs requires exploring the studied topics extensively and learning actively. This benefit is especially important for learning topics of limited availability in clinical practice, and to fill gaps in learning.

Enhancing knowledge application

Writing MCQs was used as a stimulus for clinical learning. 16 Using clinical scenarios to generate questions and provide a variety of potential solutions will stimulate learners to build skills in applying knowledge and solving problems. Learners will practise critical appraisal and review various solutions and management options for the particular scenarios of the questions. The exercise also increases curiosity for learning and identifying potential clinical applications/situations that can be used to generate questions.

Additional benefits

There are several other practical and academic benefits of writing MCQs that are less obvious. Some of these benefits are improving confidence, enhancing adult learning style, sharing knowledge and knowledge transfer and focusing on learning concepts and principles more than learning factual information. Final year medical students felt more confident after practised question generation. 17 Also, MCQs can be generated in group learning activities and have additional group learning benefits. 7

It is important to realise that the quality and value of potential benefits depend on the quality of the produced MCQs and the efforts put into the activity. Beginner learners may start with a more superficial level (factual information questions) then gradually ascend in the quality ladder to higher levels (applying, evaluating or creating) when competencies are achieved at the lower levels. Thus, unless otherwise specified, high quality, scenario-based, problem-solving and upper-levels cognitive skills based MCQs should be the ultimate goal of this activity. It is also important to review and approve the MCQs by experts before publicising them for use by other learners.

The benefits of writing MCQs are multiple at various levels of learning. This valuable learning exercise is underused. There is an inherent difficulty in proving its educational benefits objectively due to the complexity of the learning process and the limitation of assessment tools. Other than grades and learners' satisfaction, measuring long-term learning, quality of learning, clinical application and effects on learning skills are challenging to measure. These points should be considered in using and evaluating this educational activity and need to be addressed in future research.

Learners and educators who inspired and used the concept.

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Not required.

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FT contributed to conceptualisation, writing, editing, finalising, submitting and responsible for the entire content.

The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

None declared.

Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

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Top 10 Questions for a Complete Literature Review

An excellent literature review integrates information in such a way that it provides a new framework to build upon. It is a way of contextualizing your work and showcasing a bigger picture before you pin down to your research problem. It not only highlights principle issues in your field but also provides new perspectives on the research topic. Careful skimming of literature introduces the readers to relevant terminologies frequently used in context of their work. Literature review assists in recognizing related research findings and relevant theories. Furthermore, it aids in pinpointing the methodologies that one may adopt for research.

5 Steps to Begin the Literature Review

There are five steps that one should follow before preparing to conduct the literature review :

• Identify all the literature relevant to your topic of interest. Explore all the different types of literature including theoretical literature, applied literature, literature that talks about research methods, or a combination thereof.
• Using multiple keywords and strategies capture the most accurate and relevant data. Conduct an extensive search in multi-disciplinary databases.
• Group your findings into a detailed summary of what is known and what needs to be explored.
• Identify existing gaps or any unresolved issues
• Formulate broad questions that warrant further research

How to Best Critique a Research paper

For extracting maximum information from a research paper , researchers must ask the following questions!

• Has the author formulated an appropriate research question based on the problem/issue?
• Is the research question clearly defined in terms of its scope and relevance?
• Was there an alternative or better perspective to approach the research question?
• What is the author’s orientation towards the research problem – is it a critical analysis or interpretation based?
• Has the author extensively evaluated the literature considering both latest and relevant articles?
• How has the author defined the basic components (population, interventions, outcomes) of the study? Are the measurements valid, accurate and statistically significant? Are the conclusions based accurate interpretations of the data?
• Is there an objective based, unbiased reasoning provided for the problem statement or is the author merely attempting to prove his/her preconceived beliefs and opinions?
• How does this article contribute to your understanding of the research problem?
• What are the strengths, limitations and shortcomings of the study?

10 Questions for a Comprehensive Literature Review

1. Do I have clearly defined research aims prior to commencing the review?

It is important to choose a focused question that can efficiently direct your search. It can assist you to create a list of keywords related to your research problem. Furthermore, it helps in identifying relevant databases to search for related journals and articles.

2. Have I correctly identified all the sources that will help me define my problem statement or research question?

Literature is not limited to journal articles, thesis, and dissertations. One should also refer to credible internet sources, conference proceedings that provide latest unpublished papers, as well as government and corporate reports. Books, although do not have latest information, can serve as a good starting point to read background information.

3. Have I considered all kinds of literature – including both qualitative and quantitative research articles?

An exhaustive literature survey helps you position your research within the context of existing literature effectively creating a case as to why further study is necessary. Your search has to be robust enough to ensure that you have browsed through all the relevant and latest articles. Rather than reading everything, researchers must refer and follow the most relevant work!

4. Do I have enough empirical or theoretical evidence to support my hypothesis?

Discovering new patterns and trends becomes easy if you gather credible evidence from earlier works. Furthermore, it helps in rationalizing the significance of your study.

5. Have I identified all the major inconsistencies or other shortcomings related to my research topic?

Researchers should not only refer to articles that present supporting evidence but also focus on those that provide inconclusive or contradictory information. It helps to identify any open questions left by researchers in previous studies.

6. Is my relationship diagram ready?

A relationship diagram is an effective way of recognizing links between different elements of a complex research topic. It is an immensely important tool that helps in clarifying and structuring research specific findings and interpretations at various stages of the project. It is an effective way of representing your current understanding of the research topic. In addition, a good relationship diagram can help you find new insights owing to a clear picture of all the probable relationships between key concepts, variables and key factors.

7. Have I gathered sufficient evidence from the literature about the accuracy and validity of the designs or methods that I plan to use in my experiments?

It is paramount to use methodologies and research techniques that have scientific reliability. Moreover, since methods especially used in qualitative research are often more subjective, it becomes crucial for researchers to reflect on the approach and explain the criteria for selecting a particular method.

8. Have I identified the purpose for which articles have been shortlisted for literature review?

You can expedite your literature writing process if you tag your articles based on its purpose of inclusion in the review report. Following are the tags that can be added to articles:

• Show how latest developments or develop a theoretical base to your study
• Demonstrate limitations, inconsistencies or shortcomings of previous studies
• Critique or support certain methods or findings
• Replicate the study in a different setting (region/population)
• Indicate how the study supports or contradicts your findings
• Use it as a reference to further build your research
• Provide a general understanding of concerns relevant to your research topic

9. Have I recorded all the bibliographic information regarding my information sources?

Recording and cataloguing your bibliographical details and references is absolutely crucial for every researcher. You may use commercial software such as Reference manager, End Note, and Pro Cite to manage your references. Furthermore, you may also keep a record of keyword searches that you have performed.

10. Will my literature review reflect a report that is created after a through critical analysis of the literature?

An excellent literature review must be structured, logical, and coherent. It is a great opportunity to demonstrate that you have critically analyzed and understood the relevant body of literature underpinning your research. It is important to structure your literature into appropriate sections that discuss themes or presents trends. Grouping your literature helps in indicating relationships and making comparisons.

Still have more queries related to literature review and synthesis? Post your queries here and our experts will be happy to answer them! You can also visit our Q&A forum for frequently asked questions related to research writing and publishing answered by our team that comprises subject-matter experts, eminent researchers, and publication experts.

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What should universities' stance be on AI tools in research and academic writing?

Literature Research Review MCQ

University librarians can be helpful in identifying which search tools and resources are available to you..

Correct Answer: True

Note: This Question is unanswered, help us to find answer for this one

When evaluating whether a source should be included in your literature review, it is important to consider whether there is a clear connection between the topic presented and the problem of practice you are studying.

How can a computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software (caqdas) package be used for your literature review.

Correct Answer: To make notes attached to an article or segment of an article

Which of these is NOT an example of an online database that could be searched for education-related resources?

Correct Answer: NVivo

Mendeley, Zotero, and Endnote are examples of __________________________________.

Correct Answer: Citation management systems

Where would you generally find an article’s abstract?

Correct Answer: At the beginning

When evaluating the results of a quantitative study to determine whether it should be included in your literature review, which of these questions is important to consider?

Correct Answer: Can the results be generalized?

Which type of source should be used most sparingly for a scholarly literature review?

Correct Answer: Non-peer-reviewed

Which of these would be considered a secondary source?

Correct Answer: A review of the literature on dual immersion programs

Which of these is an example of a phrase you might use for searching an online catalog that includes Boolean Logic?

Correct Answer: Teacher evaluation ratings and student test scores

In the process of conducting a literature review, how do you identify gaps in the literature that your study can address?

Correct Answer: By critiquing the literature you find

The literature review should include sections that ____________________ sets of publications that are conceptually relate

Correct Answer: Summarize

Which of the following would NOT be included in the introductory section to a literature review?

Correct Answer: A discussion of the research findings

A publication that is written by individuals who were not directly involved in the events described and/or study being reported is called

Correct Answer: Secondary Source

A publication that is written by the individuals who were directly involved in the events described and/or study being reported is called

Correct Answer: Primary Source

A publication that is reviewed by ‘experts’ in the field to ensure that standards have been met across the research process and a contribution is being made to the field is called

Correct Answer: Peer Reviewed Source

A publication that was not reviewed by a panel of ‘expert’ reviewers is called

Correct Answer: Non-Reviewed Source

Mendeley is a citation management system

A publication that has been reviewed by an editor for its substance and style, but not undergone peer-review is called editorially-reviewed source, a repository of information that can be accessed using queries is called.

Correct Answer: Database

Computer-Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS) is a ___ package that supports a researcher engaged in qualitative data analysis.

Correct Answer: Software

A software system that can be used to efficiently store and manage electronic documents is called

Correct Answer: Citation Management System

Abstracts describe a brief summary of the contents of the article, typically placed at the beginning of an article.

Correct Answer: Abstract

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Review Literature in Research MCQs

Research design (qualitative and quantitative) mcqs topics.

General MCQs

Selection of a Research Approach MCQs

Use of Research Design Theory MCQs

Writing Strategies and Ethical Consideration MCQs

Introduction Research Design MCQs

Purpose Statement for Research Design MCQs

Research Questions and Hypotheses MCQs

Quantitative Methods of Research Design MCQs

Qualitative Methods of Research Design MCQs

Mixed Methods Procedures of Research Design MCQs

Welcome to the page of MCQs on Reviewing Literature in Research. Here, you will find a collection of multiple-choice questions that focus on the process and significance of conducting a literature review in research.

The process of conducting a literature review involves several steps, such as identifying relevant sources, critically evaluating the literature, extracting key information, and synthesizing the findings. Researchers should follow best practices to ensure the reliability and validity of their literature review.

MCQss.com offers a diverse range of MCQs on reviewing literature in research, covering various aspects of the literature review process. By engaging with these MCQs, you can assess your knowledge, enhance your understanding of literature review methods and techniques, and improve your research skills.

Engaging with MCQs on reviewing literature in research equips researchers, students, and professionals with the necessary knowledge and skills to conduct a comprehensive and effective literature review. It enhances their ability to identify and synthesize relevant information, critically evaluate sources, and establish a strong foundation for their research.

1: Definitions of terms appear in qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods proposals to ensure the researcher’s precision of meaning.

A.   True

B.   False

2: When abstracting a study, you should identify the methodological and technical strengths and weaknesses.

3: when abstracting a study, you should identify the methodological and technical strengths and weaknesses., 4: which type of literature varies the most in quality and should be lower in priority.

A.   Conference papers

B.   Research monographs

C.   Encyclopedias

D.   Dissertations

5: The Chicago Manual of Style is the most popular style manual used in field of education and psychology.

6: what is the primary purpose of reviewing literature in research.

A.   To demonstrate the researcher's knowledge on the topic

B.   To find supporting evidence for the research hypothesis

C.   To identify gaps, trends, and existing knowledge on the topic

D.   To provide citations for the research paper

7: Which of the following statements best describes a literature review in research?

A.   A summary of the research findings from the current study

B.   An evaluation of the quality of research articles

C.   A critical analysis and synthesis of existing literature on a specific topic

D.   A description of the research methodology used in previous studies

8: The main goal of conducting a literature review is to:

A.   Prove the researcher's originality

B.   Validate the research question

C.   Determine the research design for the study

D.   Inform the development of the research hypothesis and research design

9: Which type of sources should be included in a literature review?

A.   Only peer-reviewed journal articles

B.   Any sources that are relevant to the research topic, including books, conference papers, and grey literature

C.   Only sources published in the last year

D.   Only primary research studies

10: What is the importance of critically analyzing literature in a review?

A.   To ensure that the literature review is of sufficient length

B.   To identify the most popular sources on the topic

C.   To assess the strengths and weaknesses of previous research and its relevance to the current study

D.   To exclude any sources that contradict the research hypothesis

11: When conducting a literature review, it is essential to:

A.   Only focus on recent research studies

B.   Ignore studies that have conflicting results

C.   Provide a summary of each source without any analysis

D.   Synthesize and integrate information from different sources to identify themes and trends

12: What is the purpose of organizing the literature review thematically?

A.   To alphabetize the list of sources

B.   To group sources based on their publication dates

C.   To identify common ideas and concepts in the literature

D.   To separate primary research studies from secondary sources

13: Which of the following is a benefit of conducting a comprehensive literature review?

A.   It ensures that the researcher's hypothesis is supported by all the sources.

B.   It saves time by focusing only on the most recent studies.

C.   It helps the researcher avoid duplication of previous research and build upon existing knowledge

D.   It allows the researcher to use the literature review as the main body of the research paper.

14: What should a researcher do if they encounter conflicting results in the literature review?

A.   Include only sources that align with their research hypothesis

B.   Disregard any sources that present conflicting results

C.   Address and discuss the conflicting findings to provide a balanced view

D.   Exclude the conflicting results from the literature review entirely

15: Which section of a research paper is most appropriate for including the literature review?

A.   Abstract

B.   Introduction

C.   Methodology

D.   Results

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Multiple choice questions: a literature review on the optimal number of options

Affiliation.

• 1 Department of Physiology, Christian Medical College, Vellore 632002, Tamil Nadu, India. [email protected]
• PMID: 19004145

Background: Single, best response, multiple choice questions (MCQs) with 4 options (3 distractors and 1 correct answer) or 5 options (4 distractors) have been widely used as an assessment tool in medical education in India and globally. Writing plausible distractors is time consuming and the most difficult part of preparing MCQs. If the number of options can be reduced to 3, it will make preparing MCQs less difficult and time consuming, thus reducing the likelihood of flaws in writing MCQs. We reviewed the literature to find out if the number of options in MCQ test items could be reduced to 3 without affecting the quality of the test.

Methods: A systematic database search was done using the following question as a framework: How many options are optimal for multiple choice questions? Theoretical, analytical and empirical studies, which addressed this issue, were included in the review.

Results: There was no significant change in the psychometric properties of the 3 options test when compared with 4 and 5 options. MCQs with 3 options improved the efficiency of the test as well as its administration compared with 4- or 5-option MCQs. MCQs with 3 options had a higher efficiency because fewer distractors needed to be prepared, took up less space and required less reading time, decreased the time required to develop the items and the time to administer, and more items could be administered in a given time thus increasing the content sampled.

Conclusion: Our review of the literature suggests that MCQs with 3 options provide a similar quality of test as that with 4- or 5-option MCQs. We suggest that MCQs with 3 options should be preferred.

Publication types

• Education, Medical*
• Educational Measurement / methods*
• Meta-Analysis as Topic
• Reproducibility of Results

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Multiple choice questions: A literature review on the optimal number of options

The National medical journal of India

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Objectives: To analyze the low to medium distractor efficiency items in a multiple-choice question (MCQ) paper for item writing flaws. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted at Islamic International Medical College Rawalpindi, in October 2019. Archived item- analysis report from a midyear medium stakes MCQ paper of 2nd year MBBS class, was analyzed to determine the non-functional distractors (NFDs) and distractor efficiency (DE) of items, in a total of 181 MCQs. DE was categorized as low (3-4 NFDs), medium (1-2 NFDs) and high (0 NFD). Subsequently, qualitative document analysis of the MCQ paper whose item analysis report was assessed was conducted to investigate the item flaws in the low to medium DE items. The flaws identified were coded and grouped as, within option flaws, alignment flaws between options and stem/ lead-in and other flaws. Results: Distractor efficiency was high in 69 items (38%), moderate in 75 items (42%) and low in 37 items (20%). The item-writing flaws i...

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The number of answer options is an important element of multiple-choice questions (MCQs). Many MCQs contain four or more options despite the limited literature suggesting that there is little to no benefit beyond three options. The purpose of this study was to evaluate item performance on 3-option versus 4-option MCQs used in a core curriculum course in veterinary toxicology at a large veterinary medical school in the United States. A quasi-experimental, crossover design was used in which students in each class were randomly assigned to take one of two versions (A or B) of two major exams. Both the 3-option and 4-option MCQs resulted in similar psychometric properties. The findings of our study support earlier research in other medical disciplines and settings that likewise concluded there was no significant change in the psychometric properties of three option MCQs when compared to the traditional MCQs with four or more options.

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