Developing a Literature Review Plan Michael Dusek, MA Writing Instructor Walden Writing Center While you wait…Download these slides from the Writing Center website (hint: search “PhD residency” in top-right corner): http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/residencies/phd

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Session Objectives Understand the purpose and rationale behind a dissertation’s literature review Define literature review process and expectations Reflect on common barriers to writing the literature review Address resources to overcome barriers to writing the literature review

Literature Review: Definition Scholarly, peer-reviewed journal articles (most common) Books Government documents Conference proceedings Collection of materials on a topic

Literature Review: Purpose & Goals Teach readers about your topic and focus (including background info) State of the field History Current ideas Major studies Practical headings Keywords from study title and problem statement Present full picture of topic Studies supporting your focus Studies opposing your focus Saturation point Numbers of sources will vary All of this demonstrates your credibility as a researcher and author

Literature Review: Process Locate literature Read and take notes Organize notes into matrix Synthesize sources Write/revise the literature review essay

You’ll be going back and forth between these steps. Iterative Process Research Writing You’ll be going back and forth between these steps.

Reflection What three things will be the biggest barriers for you when it comes to writing your literature review?

Activity: Part 1 Share your list of three barriers with your table. As a table, note the most common barrier among the group. Choose a spokesperson to share this barrier with the larger group.

Resources Available to You This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

Dissertation-Specific Resources Doctoral Capstone Resources website Literature Review Resources Page

Writing Center Website Tour: Purpose of the Writing Center http:/academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter How to Search & Navigate Wonderful Webinars APA resources Paper Reviews Social Media Grammarly Modules Templates

Writing Center Dissertation-Specific Resources Templates Capstone Writing Kits Form and Style Checklist Walden Capstone Writing Community Editor Office Hours Top 10 Reasons for Delays Form and Style website

Resources for Dissertation Students (Highlights) Faculty: Committee chairperson, second committee member, and the University Research Reviewer (URR) Center for Research Quality (CRQ) Office of Student Research Administration (OSRA) Institutional Review Board (IRB) Library: Databases, research librarians, webinars Academic Skills Center (ASC): Support courses, doctoral writing workshops, and MS word support Capstone Intensives: Contact Academic Advising Team Presenter: Feel free (if you have time) to go over the PDF document, including the chart on the second page re: when to use which resource

Literature Review: How the Library Can Help http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library Locate the most appropriate databases for your topic search Help you determine effective research practices/search terms Support your efforts to organize your literature Help you determine if your sources are peer reviewed Help you to ensure saturation of relevant literature

Literature Review: How the Academic Skills Center Can Help Doctoral Writing Workshop: Revising & Editing the Literature Review Academic Skills Center Workshop Revisit students’ needs and goals with tailored, individualized support from instructors Receive and give social support from other students also working on their lit review drafts Take advantage of opportunity to make progress on current lit review draft Helps address MS Word issues in the dissertation template Provides resources on effective time management http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/academicskillscenterhome

Common Literature Review Writing Barriers and How to Solve Them This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

Common Barrier Barrier: I don’t fully understand how to synthesize and organize the literature in my Literature Review.

Solution: Set up a Plan to Learn Effective Synthesis Review Synthesis, Literature Review, and Outlining Resources Develop a system to keep track of your searches (library’s search log) Develop a system to organize and take notes on sources (e.g. Zotero, Literature Review Matrix) Determine common themes in literature Review the Writing Center’s resources on creating effective synthesis Watch the Writing Center’s “Reviewing the Literature and Incorporating Previous Research” webinar Create outline of literature review using common themes and program requirements.

Common Barrier Barrier: I feel stuck trying to effectively address faculty feedback on my writing .

Solution: Set up a Plan to Work Effectively with Faculty Communicating Effectively Find a communication style and schedule that works for all involved. Schedule regular meetings/check-ins. Set deadlines and goals. Be clear and specific when you ask for feedback. Be intentional about when you ask for help. Stay positive and respectful.

Solution: Prepare yourself to Revise Interpreting Feedback Different faculty have different approaches—you will get conflicting feedback from time to time. Criticism is not the same as rejection. Revision is a big part of the process. Work on self-revision and proofreading practices to ensure you are producing the cleanest draft possible during each faculty review

Common Barrier Barrier: I feel overwhelmed by the scope of the literature review for my dissertation and don’t know where to start

Solution: Build A Literature Review Timeline Include each stage of the Literature Review process Research and reading Writing each section Writing the introduction and conclusion Feedback from your chair/committee members Revision Include your goals for each stage Work backwards

Literature Review Timeline Example January Research and locate 10 articles Read 10 articles Watch “Reviewing the Literature and Incorporating Previous Research” Writing Center webinar Read more about Developing Effective Searches Library resource February Complete the Writing Center’s APA modules Read up on Identifying/Evaluating Scholarly Resources Library resource Create and submit draft of literature review TOC to chair November Submit completed literature review

Read more about Developing Effective Searches Library resource September 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7   Read more about Developing Effective Searches Library resource Research Read 1 article 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Read 2 articles Watch “Reviewing the Literature and Incorporating Previous Research” Writing Center webinar

Managing Your Schedule Providing Structure Set a schedule and commit to work on your study. Preserve your personal time and allow yourself breaks. Set realistic, bite-sized goals and stick to them. Find ways to be accountable to other people, such as a writing group with your peers (WCWC or ASC’s workshops).

Reflection: Your “Golden Hour” of Productivity When are you most alert? When are you free to work on research/writing? How can you minimize the distractions that tend to pull you away from your research/writing? How long are you able to focus on a given task before feeling too fatigued to make progress? Who can you ask to hold you accountable?

Managing your Schedule Paper and grading by Chris Lawrence  (CC BY-SA 2.0) Managing your Schedule Finding out what works best for you: Be aware of yourself as a reader, researcher, and writer and when/how you work best. Experiment with the time of day, environment, and amount of time you work on your study. Try software and data management systems to see if they help you (Zotero, NVivo).

Activity: Part II Develop a solution strategy (using at least 3 different resources) to address our common barrier. Select a spokesperson and be prepared to share your table’s strategy with the larger group.

Next Steps: Develop a solution strategy for your 3 biggest barriers to writing the literature review Begin building a literature review plan by creating a timeline that incorporates Time commitment (including golden hour of productivity) Reading/Research goals Outside resources (Library, WC, ASC) Should address barriers Organizing/Writing goals Faculty feedback schedule

Literature Review Q&A with the Writing Center! ? Ask your writing-related questions!

Writing Help at the Residency and Beyond Additional help AT the residency: Advising Other Writing Center sessions E-mail or chat us AFTER the residency: writingsupport@waldenu.edu; editor@waldenu.edu Website and other services Michael Dusek Developing a Literature Review Plan Post-Session Sur