1. 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):

2. 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

3. 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

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

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

6. 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!!

7. 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!

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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!

16. Want or Need Further Help? Writing Center Website Tour:
How to Search & Navigate
Webinars
APA resources
Paper Reviews
Social Media
Grammarly
Modules
Templates

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

18. 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!!

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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.

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

23. Writing Help at the Residency and Beyond
Additional help AT the residency:
Advising
Other Writing Center sessions
or chat us AFTER the residency:
Website and other services
Complete our Survey:
Jenny Martel
Developing a Literature Review Plan