Yogyakarta, December 15th 2025 – In an effort to encourage the birth of high-quality and novel scientific work, the Tourism Studies Doctoral Program, Graduate School, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), held a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) workshop on Thursday, December 11th 2025. The event featured Prof. Nurul Indarti, Siviløkonom., Cand.Merc., Ph.D., Professor from the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) UGM, as the main speaker to provide in-depth material on structured and objective literature review methods.
In her presentation, Prof. Nurul emphasized the importance of shifting the paradigm from traditional literature review to a systematic approach. She explained that traditional methods are often trapped in subjectivity and bias due to the selection of sources is not transparent. Conversely, the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) requires researchers adhering to strict protocols, ranging from explicit selection of reading sources to valid data synthesis, in order to uncover the research gap, whether conceptual, methodological, or theoretical.
The workshop was not limited to theoretical discussions; it also equipped participants with technical skills in navigating reputable databases such as Scopus and Web of Science. Participants were also introduced to the bibliometric analysis software VOSviewer to map global research trends, as well as various analytical frameworks such as AMO (Antecedents-Mediators-Outcomes) and IPO (Input-Process-Output) to strengthen their dissertation’s conceptual framework. Prof. Nurul also elaborated on research type classifications, ranging from Reporters to Builders, to help students understand the position of their scientific contribution.
Closing the session, Prof. Nurul provided a motivational message regarding responsibility of an academic in producing knowledge. Quoting and modifying a proverb, she stated, “An elephant dies leaving tusks, a tiger dies leaving stripes, an academic dies leaving publications.” Through this workshop, it is hoped that doctoral students of Tourism Studies at UGM can produce research that not only meets academic requirements but also provides a significant impact on the advancement of knowledge.
Author: Berlian Belasuni