Conducting a Comprehensive Literature Review for Qualitative Research: A Step-by-Step Online Course

Conducting a Comprehensive Literature Review for Qualitative Research: A Step-by-Step Online Course

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Muhammad Shakil Ahmad

The step-by-step process using an applied critical-thinking model needed to produce a quality literature review

Updated on Sep, 2026

Teaching and Academics , Other Teaching & Academics, Research Methods

Duration - 1.5 hours

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This course serves as a logical road map to guide the researchers and students from finding a topic to researching, organizing, arguing, and composing the review. This course consists of four steps:

Step 1. Select a Topic — Recognize and Define the Problem

Step 2. Develop the Tools for Argument — Create a Process for Solving the Problem

Step 3. Search the Literature — Collect and Organize the Information

Step 4. Survey the Literature — Discover the Evidence and Build Findings

Step-5. Critique the Literature — Interpret the findings

Step-6. Write the Review — Communicate and evaluate the conclusions

Along with details of the main concepts, each section contains activities and checklists to master the contents in a professional manner. Creating a successful literature review is a complex project. This course serves as a logical road map to guide the researcher from finding a topic to researching, organizing, arguing, and composing the review. The many and varied skills needed for literature review are sure to be more difficult to employ if learning is confined to trial and error. Here, gathered into one volume, are many of the strategies, tools, and techniques used by experienced researcher’s intent on building a high-quality literature review.

The course is directly aligned and explained using an applied critical-thinking model that demonstrates the logical progression needed to produce a quality literature review, while taking the mystery out of the process. This course is mainly intended for two groups of researchers: those completing master’s theses and those working on doctoral dissertations. For those doing a class research assignment or completing most master’s degree projects, the course will address the type of literature review that summarizes and evaluates the existing knowledge on a particular topic. Some master’s theses, and all doctoral dissertations, require a more sophisticated literature review. This course is also useful for the initial stage of completing a complex literature review, one that requires the student to argue and define a problem needing original research.

Check out the detailed breakdown of what’s inside the course

Dr. Muhammad Shakil Ahmad is a distinguished academic and researcher specializing in the field of management. Possessing a Doctorate in Management, he brings forth a wealth of knowledge and expertise, particularly in the domains of human resource management and project management. Dr. Ahmad's unwavering dedication to education and research is evident through his extensive instructional experience at esteemed institutions across various universities.

Over the course of his career, Dr. Ahmad has made noteworthy contributions to the academic sphere. He has authored numerous research papers published in esteemed peer-reviewed journals, including notable outlets such as the Journal of Knowledge Management, Leadership & Organization Development, and the Journal of Intellectual Capital. His research interests encompass diverse areas such as workplace dignity, servant leadership, sustainable healthcare management systems, and organizational sustainability through innovation.

In addition to his roles in teaching and research, Dr. Ahmad has assumed pivotal leadership positions. Serving as the In-charge of the Office of Research Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC), he collaborated closely with senior management to establish research objectives and supervise the development of junior faculty. Furthermore, he has actively participated in academic councils and boards, thereby contributing significantly to the advancement of higher education. Dr. Ahmad also received the Young Scholar Award, nominated by the American Society of Public Administration in 2015. He is a member of numerous examination committees and editorial boards, actively involved in overseeing research dissertations and publications at close proximity. He is also member of several societies and associations of worldwide repute including; American Society of Public Administration (ASPA); Community of Inquiry Framework, University of Calgary, Canada; Associate Regional Director at International Institute of Marketing Professionals, Canada.

Dr. Ahmad's commitment to research and his proficiency in securing grants for crucial projects underscore his dedication to creating a positive impact on society. Notably, he has successfully obtained grants from esteemed organizations such as the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Oman and the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan. These grants have supported various research initiatives, including projects focused on economic vision, healthcare management systems, and online learning readiness.

Given his extensive academic and professional background, Dr. Muhammad Shakil Ahmad commands high regard in the field of research, publications, dissertation and grant writing. His expertise, impactful research contributions, and leadership experience render him an exemplary instructor and mentor for individuals seeking to augment their knowledge and skills in management.

Few of his publications are as follow:

Systematic Literature Reviews:

1. Tariq, S. , Jan, F. A. , Ahmad, M. S. (2016) “Green Employee Empowerment: A Systematic Literature Review on State-of-art in Green Human Resource Management”, Quality and Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, 50(1), 237-269

2. Ahmad, M. S. (2019) Parenting styles and aggression among young adolescents: a systematic review of literature. Community Mental Health Journal

3. Ahmad, M. S. (2015), Parenting styles and academic achievement of young adolescents: A systematic literature review, Quantity and Quality

Ahmad, M. S. et al. (2020), “Using food choice motives to model Pakistani ethnic food purchase intention among tourists”, British Food Journal, 22(6), 1731-1753

Memon, M., Ting, H. & Ahmad, M. S. (2020) “Performance Appraisal Satisfaction and Turnover Intention: The Mediating Role of Work Engagement”, Management Decision, 58 (6), 1053-1066

Faisal, A., Ahmad, M.S. (2019), “Health Practitioners interaction with Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives: Impact on Prescription Behaviour”, Community Mental Health Journal, 56, 456–463

Cho, K. W., Brower, R., & Ahmad, M. S. (2018). Factors that Influence County Government Expenditures and Revenues: A Study of Florida County Governments. Lex localis-Journal of Local Self-Government, 16(1), 47-76.

Zahid, M. M., Ali, B., Ahmad, M. S., Ramayah, T., “Factors Affecting Purchase Intention and Social Media Publicity of Green Products: The Mediating Role of Concern for Consequences”, Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 25(3), 225-236

Ahmad, M. S., Abu Talib, Noraini (2017), “Barriers to empowerment: Assessment of community-led local development organizations in Pakistan, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 74, 1361–1370

Uzma, T; Ahmad, M.S. (2017) “Impact of Islamic Work Ethics on organizational Citizenship Behavior among Female Academic Staff: The mediating role of employee engagement”, Applied Research in Quality of Life, 12(3), 693-717

Wahab, A. , Ahmad, M. S. (2017), “Student Well-Being in Chinese Adolescents in Hong Kong: Theory, Intervention and Research”, Applied Research in Quality of Life, 12(3), 761-763

Bhutto, A.W., Ahmad, M. S. (2017), “Forecasting the consumption of gasoline in transport sector in Pakistan based on ARIMA model”, Environmental Progress and Sustainable Energy, 36: 1490–1497

Khalid, S., Ahmad, M. S., Jadoon, I. K, Bilal, S.,Farooq,, N., “Exploring Resources, Life-balance and Wellbeing of Women who work in a Global Context, Applied Research in Quality of Life, 12 (4), 1029-1031

Ahmad, M. S., Abu Talib, Noraini (2016), “Analysis of community empowerment on projects sustainability: Moderating role of sense of community”, Social Indicators Research, 129 (3), 10391056

Ahmad, R., Azmi, N., Ahmad, M. S. (2016), “Effect of Multidimensional Top Management Support on Project Success: An Empirical investigation”, Quality and Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, 50(1), 151-176

Masud, Hamid, Ahmad, M. S., Jan, F. A. , Jamil., A. (2016) “Relationship between parenting styles and academic performance of adolescents: mediating role of self-efficacy.” Asia Pacific Education Review, 17, 121-131

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