The Literature Review Project (OsloMet)
About the project
The Literature Review Project is looking for 2-4 master’s students to write a master’s thesis that summarizes research that applies policy perspectives to concrete (empirical) cases. I wish for students who want to summarize research on «The Advocacy Coalition framework» (Sabatier, 2007), «The Multiple Streams Approach» (Kingdon, 1984), «The policy cycle» (Jann & Kai, 2007), or «Incrementalism/ The science of muddling through” (Lindblom, 1979). But also «Punctuated Equilibrium» (Baumgartner et al., 2018), «What’s the problem represented to be?» (Bacchi & Goodwin, 2016), or «Wicked problems» (Rittel & Webber, 1973) are relevant theoretical perspectives. There is also an opening for students who have good arguments for summarizing empirical research on other perspectives.
The student is advised to follow a 10-point elective course called «Research Training» (SIW4500) via the project «The Literature Review Project» (TLRP) in autumn 2023, but this is not an absolute requirement. The advantage of participating in the elective TLRP course, is that you will be part of a group where you will learn to reflect on each other’s literature search, critical assessment of the literature, interpretations, and summary of the research. This helps you answer the questions «What do we know about this topic?» and «What does the review add to existing knowledge?». The project also gives you additional knowledge about choosing your type of literature review, most often a variant of «aggregative review» or «interpretive review», or possibly a combination. Literature on different types of literature reviews will be presented in the elective course (SIW4500).
Data and Methods
Data is available via the University Library and digital databases at OsloMet, as well as literature available on the internet. Literature on different types of summaries
Why Write a Literature Review
Interpretations of literature reviews of research are knowledge that working life increasingly needs as knowledge-based policy spreads. This will particularly apply to students who wish to apply for jobs in knowledge organizations, such as universities, directorates, WHO or NGOs. They also learn the benefits of working systematically, get an overview of the field, and answer what a study can add to existing knowledge in the field. They will understand much more about what it takes to be able to publish in international journals.
Contact
Simon Innvær – Simoinn@oslomet.no