When reviewing previous research it is important to consider the following aspects by asking yourself the following questions:

• Was it a primary or secondary source, that is, was it new research or a review of other people's work?
• Was it an empirical study, that is, involving actual data collection?
• Was it a polemical study, that is, philosophical and argumentative?
• What sort of methods were used to collect data, questionnaires, interviews, experiments or observations?
• What sort of theoretical framework was used?
• What was concluded (found or proven) from the research?
• When was the research do ne and when was it actually published?
• How many subjects did the research involve?
• Were there any particular characteristics among the subjects/respondents (eg sex, race).
  [Adapted from Delamont, S. (1992)]
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