如何為文獻探討 (Literature Review)作總結

在上兩篇網誌中，我們討論過如何做文獻檢索和評估所找到的文獻是否適用，亦分享了一些組織和撰寫文獻探討 (Literature Review) 內容的實用貼士。現在，我們準備談談如何為您的文獻探討作總結。

撰寫文獻探討的其中一個目標就是要說明您的研究的目的和貢獻。因此，您的文獻探討應該要包涵以下這些資料以闡釋您的研究的理據:

⦁ 研究缺口

⦁ 過往相關研究的局限性

⦁ 現有理論的不足之處或其缺乏論證支持的地方

Quick Takeaways:

et al.' means 'and others'.
Use 'et al.' to cite works with three or more authors.
The presentation (et al., et al., or rarely et al) depends on the style guide or journal guidelines

The English language has a rich history of borrowing words from other languages, especially from Latin. Latin abbreviations such as ‘a.m.’, ‘p.m.’ and ‘CV’ have become part of our everyday vocabulary. Such abbreviations are also frequently used in academic writing, from the ‘Ph.D.’ in the affiliation section to the ‘i.e.’, ‘e.g.’, ‘et al.’, and ‘QED’ in the rest of the paper.

This guide explains when and how to correctly use ‘et al.’ in a research paper.

In this guide:

1)Meaning of ‘et al.’
2)When and how to use ‘et al.’
- a)Table: Correct use of ‘et al.’ by style guide
- b)Unusual scenarios

單純填補缺口從來都不會是合理的理據

您需要在文獻探討的結尾清楚說明您的研究的重要性以及您期望可以取得哪些成果。

請緊記: 只簡單地說「過往研究或文獻中存在缺口」是肯定不足夠的，這樣可能會誤導讀者有研究缺口只是因為沒有充份的理由去填補該缺口而已。

那麼，您需要考慮在您文獻探討的總結部分包括些什麼呢?

1. 研究的目的或目標

首先，您一定要清楚了解您的研究的目的或目標是什麼。舉個例，您需要清晰交代您的研究是否:

⦁ 為解釋某特定研究題目或為某特定難題尋找解決辦法而設計

⦁ 一個尋找因果關係而設的研究項目

⦁ 一個尋找變數之間的關係而設的相關性研究

⦁ 比較不同的臨床或心理方面的治療方法或介入方案

⦁ 提出一種新的技術或是對現有技術的改良方案

⦁ 一個對過往相關研究的綜合分析或評論

2. 研究的重要意義

嘗試具體說明您的研究的重要性在哪裡，並清楚知道該研究能帶來什麼好處及什麼人會獲益。

在此舉幾個例子，研究能帶來的好處包括:

⦁ 促進現有理論發展或提出嶄新理論

⦁ 提供新技術使未來的研究學者受益

⦁ 完善現有的或展現出全新的物料或產品使某業界受益

⦁ 提出能夠幫助醫護人員及病者的治療或介入方案

⦁ 提出能夠用於改善政府施政的論證

撰寫文獻探討總結部分的步驟

文獻探討的總結部分其實只需要幾句句子就足夠，切忌寫得太冗長！

當然你可以跟隨以下的步驟及靈活運用我們為您提供的範例句式:

第一步: 由一句強調研究缺口的句子開始

如果您還是沒有頭緒如何開始下筆，可以考慮參考以下的範例句子:

Despite the aforementioned theoretical inferences, no study to date has provided empirical support for the hypothesized effects

Given the lack of evidence for the applicability of this psychological intervention in Asian populations…

第二步: 陳述您怎樣應對問題

或者可以參考以下的範例句子:

Therefore, in a series of experiments, we explored the direct effects of a on b and c, and tested whether m had a moderating influence on these effects

…we conducted a randomised control trial with a sample of patients who attended the clinic at ABC Hospital.

第三步: 總結您的研究發現為理論或實踐方面帶來的貢獻

您可以考慮參考以下的範例句子:

The results not only provide support for the theory, but also have practical implications for industry and government decision makers

Confirmation of the suitability of the intervention in this population will provide an alternative choice of treatment for this condition, which will benefit both patients and clinicians.

最後，下面兩個典型的文獻探討總結部分示範是由整合上面的範例句子而組成的。

“Despite the aforementioned theoretical inferences, no study to date has provided empirical support for the hypothesized effects. Therefore, in a series of experiments, we explored the direct effects of a on b and c, and tested whether m had a moderating influence on these effects. The results not only provide support for the theory, but also have practical implications for industry and government decision makers.”

“Given the lack of evidence for the applicability of this psychological intervention in Asian populations, we conducted a randomised control trial with a sample of patients who attended the clinic at ABC Hospital. Confirmation of the suitability of the intervention in this population will provide an alternative choice of treatment for this condition, which will benefit both patients and clinicians.”

但是，要時刻緊記您的用詞將會因應您的研究的性質而有所改變。

而且，無論您的用詞如何，總結部分的最基本的內容是不會改變的，要確保在總結部分提及以下內容:

⦁ 明確界定研究缺口

⦁ 說明您如何回應研究問題

⦁ 以及您的研究的重要性

QUICK ASIDE

Wondering why some abbreviations such as ‘et al.’ and ‘e.g.’ use periods, whereas others such as CV and AD don’t? Periods are typically used if the abbreviations include lowercase or mixed-case letters. They’re usually not used with abbreviations containing only uppercase letters.

Unusual Scenarios

Our latest online workshop built on the success of face-to-face workshops we developed specifically for local universities. Over 30 faculty members joined the session, presented by our Chief Operating Officer, Mr Nick Case, to learn from our case studies on editing research proposals.

The response to our workshop, which included a constructive and insightful Q&A session, was very positive.Drawing on our extensive experience working with hundreds of Hong Kong researchers targeting the GRF and ECS every year, we used examples of poor and subsequently improved proposals to show the attendees how they can make their applications stand out. The response to our workshop, which included a constructive and insightful Q&A session, was very positive.Drawing on our extensive experience working with hundreds of Hong Kong researchers targeting the GRF and ECS every year, we used examples of poor and subsequently improved proposals to show the attendees how they can make their applications stand out. The response to our workshop, which included a constructive and insightful Q&A session, was very positive.Drawing on our extensive experience working with hundreds of Hong Kong researchers targeting the GRF and ECS every year, we used examples of poor and subsequently improved proposals to show the attendees how they can make their applications stand out.

QUICK ASIDE

Author Resources

Check out AsiaEdit’s professional research grant proposal editing service.
Read more about our training services covering all aspects of academic writing tailored for local institutions.

More resources on research grant proposal writing: On-demand Webinars
Preparing an effective research proposal – Your guide to successful funding application
Preparing an effective research proposal – Your guide to successful funding application (Part 2)

作者背景

Dr Rachel Baron

聯合總編及執行編輯 (社會科學)

Rachel於2001年剛在 University of Exeter 取得博士學位的同時以自由編輯的身份首次加入我們。在擔任博士後研究人員數年之後，她專注於大學教授心理學，並於2010年回到AsiaEdit，並專注於學術編輯專業。她於2018年升任助理總編輯，並於2020年繼而成為我們的聯合主編。由於無法完全離開學術界，她還在意大利的一所英語大學教授心理學。