Outline What is Literature Review? Purpose of Literature Review Elements of Literature Review Writing your Literature Review Lit Review Body Lit Review Conclusion

What is Literature Review? Is the review of a collection of published research relevant to a research question. All good research and writing is guided by a review of the relevant literature. Is the selection of available research on the topic, which contain information, ideas, data and evidence. Is the effective evaluation of previous research in relation to the research being proposed

What is Literature Review?...Cont’d A literature review evaluates scholarly articles, books and other sources relevant to a particular issue, area of research, or theory, providing a description, summary, and critical evaluation of each work. The review should describe, summarize, evaluate and clarify this literature.  It should give a theoretical base for the research and help you (the author) determine the nature of your research.

What is Literature Review?...Cont’d A literature review is more than the search for information, and goes beyond being a descriptive annotated bibliography. Rather it is an organized pattern of connected themes, issues, concepts and ideas that are closely relevant to your topic and which will help you find a solution to your research question All works included in the review must be read, evaluated and analyzed, but relationships between the literature must also be identified and articulated, in relation to your field of research. A good literature review is characterized by: a logical flow of ideas; current and relevant references with consistent, appropriate referencing style; proper use of terminology; and an unbiased and comprehensive view of the previous research on the topic.

The Purpose of Lit Review To offer an overview of significant literature published on a topic. To evaluate promising research methods To be able to relate your findings to previous knowledge and suggest further research To place each work in the context of its contribution to the understanding of the subject under review To describe the relationship of each work to the others under consideration To produce a rationale or justification for your study.

The Purpose of Lit Review…Cont’d To identify new ways to interpret, and shed light on any gaps in, previous research To point the way forward for further research The literature review reveals whether or not a research question has already been answered by someone else. A good literature review, therefore, is critical of what has been written, identifies areas of controversy, raises questions and identifies areas Gives you the opportunity to establish solid background knowledge that is built on the platform of existing credible and relevant research

Elements of Lit Review A literature review should include: An overview of the subject, issue or theory under consideration, along with the objectives of the literature review Division of works under review into categories (e.g. those in support of a particular position, those against, and those offering alternative theses entirely) Explanation of how each work is similar to and how it varies from the others Conclusions as to which pieces are best considered in their argument, are most convincing of their opinions, and make the greatest contribution to the understanding and development of their area of research

Writing your Lit Review Just like most academic papers, literature reviews also must contain at least three basic elements: an introduction or background information section; the body of the review containing the discussion of sources; and, finally, a conclusion and/or recommendations section to end the paper.

Writing your Lit Review…Cont’d Introduction: Gives a quick idea of the topic of the literature review, such as the central theme or organizational pattern. Body: Contains your discussion of sources and is organized either chronologically, thematically, or Inverted pyramid organization Conclusions/Recommendations: Discuss what you have drawn from reviewing literature so far. What are the key findings of your lit review?

Writing your Lit Review…Cont’d Chronological: The discussion of the research /articles is ordered according to an historical or developmental context. Thematic: Thematic reviews of literature are organized around a topic or issue, rather than the progression of time. The research is divided into sections representing the categories or conceptual subjects for your topic. The discussion is organized into these categories or subjects. Inverted pyramid organization: The literature review begins with a discussion of the related literature from a broad perspective. It then deals with more and more specific or localized studies which focus increasingly on the specific question at hand.

Lit Review Body Divide the reviewed studies into categories and in a way that makes each category addresses and assesses one component of the scope of your research. For each category, group the reviewed studies chronologically. For each category that addresses one component explain the commonalities and differences that cut across the varies reviewed studies and how each work is similar to and/or different from the others. Start each paragraph with a significant thesis statement to attract the attention of the reader and remember to relate the reviewed article/study to your research topic. Maintain your own voice by starting and ending each paragraph with your own ideas and your own words

Lit Review Conclusion Should be in the format of an evaluation as to which works are most convincing of their opinions making a significant contribution to the understanding and solution of your research problem(s). Should include discussion of what you have drawn from the reviewed studies, and how such findings will help you solve the research problem.

Sources http://library.concordia.ca/help/howto/litreview.php http://library.ucsc.edu/ref/howto/literaturereview.html http://www.library.cqu.edu.au/tutorials/litreviewpages/what.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Literature_review http://www.lc.unsw.edu.au/onlib/litrev.html http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/literature_review.html