Library Research for the Literature Review Johanna Tuñon, EdD (800) ext NSU

Problem-Based Learning The educational activist, Parker Palmer, suggested that learning occurs when it is connects to the core of students’ lives. NSU EdD NSU

Learning Objectives Definition of a good literature review Databases for locating dissertations –Dissertation Abstracts International (DAI) and ProQuest’s Dissertations and Theses database –Search strategies in Dissertations and Theses –NSU’s MARPs, Practicums, and Applied Dissertations Database Citing published and unpublished dissertations Web of Knowledge

Defining a Good Literature Review Sheds light on topic Identifies possible solutions for a research problem Cumulative nature of scientific knowledge Synthesizes Lit review For more details, see Literature Review handout and Dissertation Guide, pp

Getting Started Exploratory stage when trying to find a topic for your dissertation: Broad hunt of the literature –Is there current interest in a topic in your field? –Is there a gap in the knowledge relating to a topic?

Using Dissertations in Lit Review Analyze related doctoral studies: – Show the significance of your problem – Critical analysis of theories – Find definitions used to operationalize variables – Provide historical context – Show state-of-the art developments – Empirical evidence of past findings and efforts that were fruitless – Critical analysis of methodologies and instruments used. Identify possible techniques. –Identify recommendations for further research.

Coverage Scope –What criteria do you use to define your research problem? –Search terms, keywords, descriptors – Aspects of the problem

Coverage When little is written, find analogous literature – on related topics – in related fields When there is too much on a topic, – select the best evidence – focus on key conceptual parts of the problem

Strengths and weaknesses of prior research Justify your choice of methods, instruments, and techniques based on your findings in the literature. Methodology + -

Theory Base Dissertations Show relationship of ideas and practice Use original works and seminal studies rather than summaries and secondary resources

Citing “Published” Dissertations Found in DAI Dissertation Abstracts International Volume Series A

Subject

Limiting the search to dissertations on the subject of Early Childhood (0518)

Advisors

School Codes

DAI – Dissertation Abstracts International

Dissertation Abstracts International-- Originally a print index Dissertation Abstracts International Volume Series A

Volume number, Issue number, Series letter UMI publication/order number DAI – Dissertation Abstracts International

Volume number, Issue number, Series letter UMI publication/order number DAI – Dissertation Abstracts International

Volume number, Issue number, Series letter UMI publication/order number DAI – Dissertation Abstracts International

Volume number, Issue number, Series letter UMI publication/order number DAI – Dissertation Abstracts International

Clarke, D. C. (2001). Differences in student dropout rate, attendance rate, and grade point average after the implementation of the North Carolina Dropout Prevention/Drivers License Law. Dissertation Abstracts International, 62(3), 853A. (UMI No ) Retrieved June 1, 2006, from Dissertations and Theses database. APA manual, p. 260, # 54 – dissertation abstracted in DAI. p. 279, # 88 – electronic copy retrieved from database

Published dissertation citation retrieved from database: APA Style Guide Clarke, D. C. (2001). Differences in student dropout rate, attendance rate, and grade point average after the implementation of the North Carolina Dropout Prevention/Drivers License Law. Retrieved July 1, 2006, from ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. (AAT ) APA style guide, p. 10, #8

Packer, B. (1994). Promoting successful mainstream experience for hearing- impaired elementary students through inservice training, peer mentoring and pragmatics groups. Unpublished doctoral practicum, Nova University, Fort Lauderdale, FL. (ERIC No. ED372548) Retrieved May 2, 2006, from ERIC database. APA manual, p. 262, # 56 – unpublished doctoral document p. 257, # 43 – document available from ERIC p. 279, # 88 – electronic copy retrieved from database

Compare APA 5 th ed and APA Style Guide formatting -- title Clarke, D. C. (2001). Differences in student dropout rate, attendance rate, and grade point average after the implementation of the North Carolina Dropout Prevention/Drivers License Law. Retrieved July 1, 2006, from ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. (AAT ) Clarke, D. C. (2001). Differences in student dropout rate, attendance rate, and grade point average after the implementation of the North Carolina Dropout Prevention/Drivers License Law. Dissertation Abstracts International, 62(3), 853A. (UMI No ) Retrieved July 1, 2006, from ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database. Not italicized Italicized DAI – APA manual (5th ed.) Dissertation – APA Style Guide

Compare APA 5 th ed and APA Style Guide formatting –UMI# Clarke, D. C. (2001). Differences in student dropout rate, attendance rate, and grade point average after the implementation of the North Carolina Dropout Prevention/Drivers License Law. Retrieved July 1, 2006, from ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. (AAT ) Clarke, D. C. (2001). Differences in student dropout rate, attendance rate, and grade point average after the implementation of the North Carolina Dropout Prevention/Drivers License Law. Dissertation Abstracts International, 62(3), 853A. (UMI No ) Retrieved July 1, 2006, from ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database. Formatting of document numbers DAI – APA manual (5th ed.) Dissertation – APA Style Guide

Compare APA 5 th ed and APA Style Guide formatting -- database Clarke, D. C. (2001). Differences in student dropout rate, attendance rate, and grade point average after the implementation of the North Carolina Dropout Prevention/Drivers License Law. Retrieved July 1, 2006, from ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. (AAT ) Clarke, D. C. (2001). Differences in student dropout rate, attendance rate, and grade point average after the implementation of the North Carolina Dropout Prevention/Drivers License Law. Dissertation Abstracts International, 62(3), 853A. (UMI No ) Retrieved July 1, 2006, from ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database. Formatting of name of database DAI – APA manual (5th ed.) Dissertation – APA Style Guide Database name is included because this is a hard-to- find resource.

260,000 full-text DAI dissertations Unpublished dissertations, theses, practicums, and action- based research studies Request from NSU using ILLiad Full text if available from ProQuest Available in manuscript at the home library

NSU Dissertations 1255 NSU dissertations 105 EdD 777 DBA 44 DIBA 60 DPA 260 PhD

NSU’s EdD Dissertations in Available ERIC

You can also use ERIC Publication Type field searching.

040 Dissertations in ERIC

PsycINFO

Clinical Case Study Empirical Study Experimental Replication Followup Study Longitudinal Study Prospective Study Retrospective Study Field Study Literature Review Mathematical Modeling Meta Analysis Nonclinical Case Study Qualitative Study Quantitative Study Treatment Outcomes/ Randomized Clinical Trial Notice option to locate specific types of research

Options for Obtaining Dissertations Unlimited access to 260,000 dissertations available in PDF in the Dissertations and Theses by ProQuest database. plus… The library will buy up to 2 print dissertations for you if available for purchase from ProQuest. plus… Using ILLiad, you can request Fischler dissertations at no cost from those listed in the MARPs, Practicums, and Applied Dissertations database; newer ones will be PDF’s, older ones will be sent to you on microfiche plus… ERIC, PsycINFO, and WorldCAT may have some full-text dissertations. If not, order print/manuscript copies of dissertations listed in these databases using your local library’s interlibrary loan service; only 40% chance of obtaining them this way.

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