Chapter 3 Literature Review
“Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has ever thought.” — Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
3.1 Overview
You have learned that a data set contains observations (i.e. the rows) and variables (i.e. the columns) and that to understand a data set you will first need to read through its code book. You are also now able to distinguish between categorical and quantitative variables. Next, we are going to focus on conducting a review of primary source journal articles in order to understand previous work conducted on your chosen research question.
To conduct a literature review, you will find and read published, primary source, peer reviewed articles that have addressed your research question or questions that are similar to yours. This will allow you to better understand what is already known about the association or relationship that you will be studying.
3.2 Lesson
Learn about the literature review process. Compare strengths and weaknesses of primary and secondary source scientific literature. Experience how the context and background information you find in your literature search can inform your research. Consider ways you may want to refine your topic or modify your question. Click HERE to watch the video lesson.
3.3 Assignment
Describe the association that you will examine and key words you found helpful during your literature search. List at least 5 of the most appropriate references that you have found and read. Describe findings and interesting themes that you have uncovered and include the specific research question that you hope to answer.
For example, given the association that I have decided to examine, I use such keywords as nicotine dependence, tobacco dependence, and smoking. After reading through several titles and abstracts, I notice that there has been relatively little attention in the research literature to the association between smoking exposure and dependence symptoms. I also expand a bit to include other substance use and dependence relationships that may provide relevant background.
Example References:
Dierker, L., & Donny, E. (2008). The role of psychiatric disorders in the relationship between cigarette smoking and DSM-IV nicotine dependence among young adults. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 10(3), 439-446. doi:10.1080/14622200801901898
Dierker, L., Hedeker, D., Rose, J., Selya, A., & Mermelstein, R. (2015). Early emerging nicotine dependence symptoms in adolescence predict daily smoking in young adulthood. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 151, 267-271. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep. 2015.03.009
Dierker, L., Donny, E., Tiffany, S., Colby, S. M., Perrine, N., Clayton, R. R., & Network, T. (2007). The association between cigarette smoking and DSM-IV nicotine dependence among first year college students. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 86(2-3), 106-114. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2006.05.025
Selya, A. S., Dierker, L. C., Rose, J. S., Hedeker, D., Tan, X. M., Li, R. Z., & Mermelstein, R. J. (2013). Time-varying effects of smoking quantity and nicotine dependence on adolescent smoking regularity. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 128(3), 230-237. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2012.08.026
Based on my reading of the above articles as well as others, I have noted a few common and interesting themes:
First, while it is true that smoking exposure is a necessary requirement for nicotine dependence, frequency and quantity of smoking are markedly imperfect indices for determining an individual’s probability of exhibiting nicotine dependence symptoms (and the same seems to be true for other substances that cause dependence symptoms).
The association may differ based on ethnicity, age, and gender, although there is relatively little work on this.
One of the most potent risk factors consistently implicated in the etiology of smoking behavior and nicotine dependence is depression.
I have decided to further focus my question (is level of smoking associated with the likelihood of experiencing nicotine dependence?) by examining whether this association differs based on whether or not an individual has depression. I am wondering if at low levels of smoking nicotine dependence is more common among individuals with major depression than those without major depression.
I add relevant depression questions/items/variables to my personal code book as well as several demographic variables (age, gender, ethnicity, etc.) and any other variables I may wish to consider.