Developing a Literature Review Plan Jenny Martel Dissertation Editor 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

Session Objectives Understand an overview of the literature review and literature review process Create a comprehensive plan for completing the literature review Understand where to go with help on research, saturating the research, etc. Ask questions about Writing Center resources

Literature Review: What is it? Process Reading and evaluating literature “Review” as verb Materials Collection of materials on a topic “Review” as noun Essay Actual literature review essay Structured format, tells “story” of literature

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

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

Developing a Literature Review Plan: 3. Timeline Plan out when you will complete your SMART goals (and steps leading up to those goals) 2. Goals Create SMART goals to help you overcome barriers 1. Needs Assess-ments Identify barriers to your progress Developing a Literature Review Plan: Use the resources available to help you!!

Literature Review Needs Assessment 1. Needs Assess-ments Literature Review Needs Assessment What are three barriers standing in your way to completing the literature review? Activity!

Some common barriers include (1) APA APA Modules APA Webinars Common Reference List Examples Webpage (2) Scholarly Writing Scholarly Writing Webinars Grammar Webinars Plagiarism Prevention Modules Grammarly (3) Research Identifying/Evaluating Scholarly Resources Developing Effective Searches Understanding Comprehensive Literature Research Finding Resources on Theories and Theorists Form and Style website • Doctoral Capstone Resources website

Developing S.M.A.R.T. Goals Specific: A specific goal has a much greater chance of being accomplished than a general goal (must answer who, what, why, where, when, and which questions). Measurable: Establish concrete criteria for measuring progress toward the attainment of each goal you set. Attainable: A goal that you can map out a clear path to achieving. Realistic: A goal must represent an objective toward which you are both willing and able to work. Timely: A goal should be grounded within a time frame. SMART Goals source information

S.M.A.R.T. Goal Example Barrier: I don’t fully understand how to synthesize the literature in my Literature Review. S.M.A.R.T. Goal #1: Read and take notes on Synthesis Basics on the Writing Center’s Website by May 3rd. S.M.A.R.T. Goal #2: Watch the Writing Center’s Synthesis and Thesis Development Webinar by May 23rd.

Developing Personal S.M.A.R.T. Goals Activity! Write down at least three S.M.A.R.T. Goals for each barrier standing in your way to completing the literature review. Use the Writing Center website, the Form and Style website, the Library website, or the Doctoral Capstone website to help find resources to overcome your barriers.

Building Your Literature Review Timeline Include each stage of the Literature Review process Research and reading Writing each section Writing the introduction and conclusion Include your S.M.A.R.T. Goals 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 November Submit completed literature review

Read more about Developing Effective Searches Library resource November 2019 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 5 6 7 8 9 10 11   Read more about Developing Effective Searches Library resource Research Read 1 article 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Read 2 articles Watch “Reviewing the Literature and Incorporating Previous Research” Writing Center webinar

Building Your Literature Review Timeline Begin building your timeline: When would you like to have your literature review complete? When will you be focusing on research, when will you be focusing on writing? Do you have time to go back to each step multiple times? What days will you work on your literature review? (1 hour each evening? Every-other day? Will you have days off?) Activity!

Want or Need Further Help? Writing Center Website Tour: http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter How to Search & Navigate Webinars APA resources Paper Reviews Social Media Grammarly Modules Templates

Dissertation-Specific Resources Form and Style website Doctoral Capstone Resources website

Academic Skills Center Support 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 Use the resources available to help you!!

Library: Saturating the Literature Most common question: “How do I know when I’m done?” A strong literature review will cover all of the relevant journals and sources that share research in the topic area. To cover ALL of them, you will need to: Search all the databases relevant to the topic. Go beyond the Library to find any resources not held in the databases.

Library: Saturating the Literature To feel confident that you are doing this: Explore all of the databases and resources pulled together for you on your subject research page in the Library. Make an appointment with your subject librarian: Doctoral Capstone Appointments. Review the advice in the Library’s Literature Review guide, especially the Gather Resources page.

Library: Saturating the Literature And most importantly: Stay in close conversation with your faculty! They can offer the most specific advice and feedback on the quality and quantity of resources you are gathering. They will direct you back to the Library for more research (and help) if needed.

Literature Review Q&A with the Writing Center! ? Ask your writing-related and APA 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 Complete our Survey: Jenny Martel Developing a Literature Review Plan