Masters in Public Administration (MPA) 504

Quantitative Methods
Pointers on the Literature Review

 
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MPA 504 Quantitative Methods

1. Why have a literature review in quantitative paper?

The literature review provides a context or framework for understanding the quantitative analysis. For example, John kisses Jo frequently in public is a meaningless statement if one does not understand the context that Jo (Josephine) is John's fiance.

2. Scholarly Literature

  1. State authors in the scholarly literature who share your view and identify what is the nature of their support . For example have they selected the same or similar variables, used similar methods (survey's, field observations), employed similar analysis and drawn similar conclusions?
  2. Identify authors in the scholarly literature who don't share this view and identify what is the nature of their opposition. (Same issues as above)
  3. Discuss briefly what might account for these differences and conclude by identifying how your study will contribute to the discussion.


The literature review is not a list of authors and their views but the student's description and interpretation of what the debate in the literature is about.

Articles should not be copied or merely paraphrased but should be synthesized for the reader. Copying, paraphrasing and pastiche are consider plagiarism at CSU Pomona. Violations of scholarly and professional honesty in papers submitted for a grade will result in a failing grade in this course. If you have questions about plagiarism please ask.


This section should include 2 to 3 scholarly articles, ideally with different points of view . See JSTOR for ready access to scholarly journal articles.

Clearly identify theory and methodological differences.