Writing a Literature Review Presented by: Leigh Ann Holterman, M.A.

Goals Broad overview of a literature review Understand the components of an effective literature review Learn strategies for researching, organizing, and writing a literature review

Literature Reviews Usually part of an academic research paper Guide to a particular topic Discusses published information in a particular area

Literature Reviews Purpose Topic becomes a conversation Provides background information Establishes the importance of the topic and evaluates existing research Important research trends Strengths/weaknesses Gaps Enhances the credibility and relevance of your research Why current research is necessary Topic becomes a conversation

Steps for Writing Planning Research Analyzing Writing

Planning Phase Find models Focus Determine your emphasis Examples of literature reviews in your field Read them and look for ideas on organization and content Focus Determine your research question or thesis that this literature review is addressing Narrow down your topic Determine your emphasis Theory, Methods, Policy, Quantitative studies, Qualitative studies

Concept Mapping

Concept Mapping

Planning Phase Scope Define the boundaries of your literature review Dates, discipline, forms What sources will you be using?

Developing a Focus Questionnaire

Research Phase Collect and read materials Databases, library, Google scholar Main topic and key terms Timeframe Citation management Zotero/Endnote/Mendeley

Research Phase Summarize each source Create an annotated bibliography Use questions on page 2 of your supplemental packet Create an annotated bibliography Only select sources that are relevant to your project

What a Lit Review Is NOT

Theme Creation

Theme Creation An example

Theme Creation

Theme Creation An example

Theme Creation

Analysis- Putting it all Together Analyzing is a process of Summarizing Synthesizing Critiquing Comparing Ask yourself the key questions

Analysis After assessing the literature, you should be able to answer these questions: What do researchers already know about this? What do they not know? Why should we study this topic? What will my research contribute?

What a Lit Review Is So much information! How do I organize it? Balance of summary and analysis Offers an argument about the body of research Remember, don’t present each source one by one That’s an annotated bibliography Organize by themes or underlying concepts

Organization

An example

Another example

Organization Common approaches Find more information in your packet! Topical Debate Chronological Seminal study Find more information in your packet!

Tips for Composing the Review Use evidence Be selective and use quotes very sparingly Discipline-specific Paraphrase Cautiously and cite sources!! Keep your own voice

Plagiarism & Citations If it’s not your original idea, or common knowledge, you need a citation! Find out the correct reference system for your field APA, MLA, Harvard, Chicago…

In Summary While reading, keep in mind the “big picture” Review should provide an overview of the state of the field Focus on the sources that help shape your argument More does not equal better! Balance summarizing and analyzing Remember how your review contributes to your research, and how it will benefit your readers Writing is a skill

Graduate Writing Center Visit the Graduate Writing Center! http://www.uvm.edu/wid/writingcenter/GWC/

References Articles: Websites: Cisco, J. (2014). Teaching the literature review: A practical approach for college instructors. Teaching & Learning Inquiry, 2(2), 41-57. Websites: http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/ld/resources/writing/writing-resources/literature- review http://libguides.bc.edu/litreview/phase1 http://libguides.cmich.edu/gcls/lit_review/LR_researchquestion http://pwr.la.psu.edu/resources/graduate-writing-center/handouts/powerpoint-for- writing-literature-reviews/view http://siskel.lib.ncsu.edu/RIS/instruction/litreview/litreview.txt http://www.smu.ca/webfiles/guidelitreviewbrief.pdf http://www2.smumn.edu/deptpages/tclibrary/tutorials/finding/research_questions_ document.pdf http://www.uvm.edu/wid/writingcenter/GWC/ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/literature-reviews/ http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/ReviewofLiterature.html

Questions?