GRASP - Graduate Research Advanced Skills Program CANDIDACY PROPOSAL SERIES The Literature review: finding your scholarly voice and developing an argument This workshop considers the literature review as a framing of voices, perspectives and debates on a topic through the lens of a central research question.

Rationale and outline of the workshop 5 The Literature Review Rationale and outline of the workshop This workshop considers the literature review as a framing of voices, perspectives and debates on a topic through the lens of a central research question. It outlines the functions, content and structure of the typical narrative literature review, and highlights the importance of expressing one’s ‘scholarly voice’ through analysis, critical review and synthesis of sources in the existing literature.

Some (but not all) aims of today’s class 5 The Literature Review Some (but not all) aims of today’s class To help us “stop using the literature review as an excuse for not writing.” (Goodson, 2017) To help us realise that above all, the literature review is an ARGUMENT. To explain why a narrative literature review is organised thematically. To give us a clear picture of what the literature review looks like.

Perhaps this aim is the most important? 5 The Literature Review Perhaps this aim is the most important? To help us “stop using the literature review as an excuse for not writing.” (Goodson, 2017, p.237)

What is a literature review? 5 The Literature Review What is a literature review? “ A literature review is a written document that presents a logically argued case founded on a comprehensive understanding of the current state of knowledge about a topic of study. This case establishes a convincing thesis to answer the study’s question.” (Machi & McEvoy, 2016, p. 5)

5. Critique the literature 5 The Literature Review 1. Select a topic 6. Write the review 2. Develop tools of argumentation A six-step literature review model 5. Critique the literature 3. Search the literature 4. Survey the literature (Machi & McEvoy, 2016, p. 8)

5 The Literature Review The Literature Review is a process of Recognize & define a problem 5 The Literature Review 1. Select a topic 6. Write the review Communicate & evaluate the conclusions 2. Develop tools of argumentation Create a process for solving the problem The Literature Review is a process of CRITICAL THINKING 5. Critique the literature Draw conclusions Collect & compile information 3. Search the literature 4. Survey the literature Discover the evidence & build the argument (Machi & McEvoy, 2016, p. 6)

Recognize & define a problem 5 The Literature Review Recognize & define a problem Create a process for solving the problem Communicate & evaluate the conclusions The Literature Review is a process of CRITICAL THINKING Draw conclusions Collect & compile information Discover the evidence & build the argument (Machi & McEvoy, 2016, p. 6)

The six steps explained (Machi & McEvoy, 2016, p. 6-9) 5 The Literature Review The six steps explained (Machi & McEvoy, 2016, p. 6-9) Step 1 Select a topic Recognize and define the problem “The topic statement must be well defined”; keep refining terms for accurate focus. Step 2 Develop the tools Create a process for solving the problem for argument “…the rules and tools for employing an informal argument must be employed.” Connect evidence (data) and claim with a warrant. Step 3 Search the literature Collect & organize the information narrow down the information “to only the data that provide the strongest evidence to support the thesis case.”

The six steps explained (Machi & McEvoy, 2016, p. 6-9) 5 The Literature Review The six steps explained (Machi & McEvoy, 2016, p. 6-9) Step 4 Survey the literature Discover the evidence and build findings Logically assemble, organize and analyse the data, to produce a set of defensible findings on what is known about the topic. Step 5 Critique the literature Draw conclusions Interpret the findings produced by the survey of literature. These “ findings are logically arranged as conclusions to form the argument that justifies the thesis statement.” Step 6 Write the review Communicate and evaluate the conclusions Convey to the target audience the results of the research. Writing, auditing and editing building on the writing done in the first five steps.

TWO TYPES OF ARGUMENT IN THE LITERATURE REVIEW Argument of Discovery (inductive) An argument proving that the findings of fact represent the current state of knowledge regarding the research topic. Argument of Advocacy (implicative) An argument based on claims that have been proven as fact and that serve as premises for logically driving a conclusion – in this case, the thesis statement of the literature review.

The structure of the simple argument 5 The Literature Review The structure of the simple argument (Machi & McEvoy, 2016, p.51) Data a Organized evidence CLAIM Warrant Logical Bridge Data n “Given the data on the subject, this is what we can conclude.”

5 The Literature Review The development of a more complex argument (Machi & McEvoy, 2016, p.53) Simple claim n Premise n Simple claim 3 Premise 3 Major Claim Simple claim 2 Premise 2 Simple claim 1 Evidence Claim Warrant Premise 1 Warrant

5 The Literature Review https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/tutorials/litreview/

5 The Literature Review http://studyskills.curtin.edu.au/better-writing/literature-review/introduction/

5 The Literature Review Tara Brabazon: Ten Quick Tips for Writing a Literature Review A stroppy professor's guide to literature reviews

5 The Literature Review Tara Brabazon: Ten Quick Tips for Writing a Literature Review 1. Remember that the literature review is a frame. It needs an organising principle; state what is included & excluded. 2. Always keep in in mind the purpose of the literature review in the context of your research project. One sentence – what you are looking for? 3. Remember – you are finding a gap in the literature. You need to make an original contribution to knowledge. 4. Remember to be accurate and rigorous. You need to abide by and demonstrate academic protocols and literacies; clearly distinguish paraphrase and direct quote. 5. Remember – you are reading for interpretation, not facts. 6. Ensure that your literature review is integrated, and not fragmented. Introduction and conclusion are important; ensure smooth transition. 7. Be prepared to ‘go meta’. Meta analysis is the big picture; focus on the ‘why’, not the ‘what’; think about your and others’ historical positioning. 8. Understand the difference between a literature review and a systematic review. 9. Don’t forget the value of theory. Theory is the why of knowledge; the key moment in the construction of knowledge. align epistemology, ontology and methodol0gy 10. Use signpost in your literature review. Must be well structured into sections; the literature review is the spine of the thesis.

5 The Literature Review References Brabazon, Tara. 2017. ‘A Stroppy Professor’s Guide to Literature Review.’ Office of Graduate Research, Flinders University. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SejiQu-PtMI Goodson, P. 2017. Becoming an Academic Writer. Second edition. Los Angeles: Sage Machi, L. A. ; McEvoy, B. T. 2016.The Literature Review: Six Steps to Success. Third edition. Thousand Oaks, California : Corwin North Carolina State University. 2018. Literature Review: An Overview for Graduate Students. https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/tutorials/litreview/ The Learning Centre, Curtin University. 2016. Literature Review http://studyskills.curtin.edu.au/better-writing/literature-review/introduction/