Literature Review

Literature Review
 What is a literature review

•  A literature review discusses published information in a particular subject area, and sometimes information in a particular subject area within a certain time period

• Researchers almost never conduct a study in an
  intellectual vacuum: their studies are undertaken
  within the context of an already existing knowledge base.  Researchers generally undertake a literature  review to familiarise themselves with that knowledge base”.

Function of Literature Review

• Theoretical background to the study
  Refine methodology by establishing links
  Contribution to the existing literature
  Contextualize your findings
  -Eliminate needless duplication
  Previous research also identifies gaps

Pitfalls

• Bottomless Pit
• Being too specific
• Reliance on only digital data bases

What is in a literature review?

• Critical review of the  “State of the Art” relevant to your objectives
• Synthesis of relevant literature
• Organized in appropriate topics
• Not a sequence of abstracts

Stages

• Identification  (how far will you go)
• Characterization
• Construct a working thesis statement
• The current trend in treatment for congestive heart failure combines surgery and medicine.
• More and more cultural studies scholars are accepting popular media as a subject worthy of academic consideration
• Evaluation
• Write up- (in closing mention a summary of the state of knowledge, gaps and strengths

Tips for writing a review

• Start with notes/table
• Brainstorm main thoughts/points
• Organize points (not papers)
• Logical groupings and order
• Points help form the ‘Topic Sentences’ for each paragraph in the review
• Write, Review, Edit, Review….

Organization

• Introduction-central theme or organizational pattern.
• Body: Contains your discussion of sources and is organized either chronologically, thematically, or methodologically
• Conclusions/Recommendations: Discuss what you have drawn from reviewing literature so far. Where might the discussion proceed?

Creswell 5 steps of writing a literature review
Step 1: Identify Key Terms or “Descriptors
Step 2: Locate Literature
Step 3: Critically Evaluate and Select Literature
Step 4: Organize the Literature
Step 5: Write a Literature ReviewUseful tips

1. Make tables to track information

Bibliography

1. MLA
2. APA
3. Chicago style
4. Use easybib.com
5. Anson, Chris M. and Robert A. Schwegler, The Longman Handbook for Writers and Readers. Second edition. New York: Longman, 2000.
6. Jones, Robert, Patrick Bizzaro, and Cynthia Selfe. The Harcourt Brace Guide to Writing in the Disciplines. New York: Harcourt Brace, 1997.