1. The Anatomy of Chapter II of a Dissertation Dr. Sharon A. McDade GSEHD, GWU

2. Types of Literature Reviews Annotated bibliography Bibliography critique essay Short format lit review Long format lit review

3. Purposes of Literature Reviews To trace the history of a topic To investigate the scope of a topic To provide a context of theory related to the topic To assess previous research To assure the reader that the researcher has a full grasp of the subject

4. Purpose of Literature Review in Dissertation To justify selection of the problem To aid in the selection of research methodologies To address duplication To generate a bibliography To convince the committee that the researcher has a grasp of the “big picture” To build the foundation for the research instrument

5. Parts of a Literature Review Introduction Purpose Definition/limitation of the topic Criteria for inclusion/exclusion Body Conclusion

6. What You Need to Get Started Most up-to-date computer you can afford Endnotes software Most recent version of your preferred word processing software Access to WordPerfect (for the grammar checker) Filing cabinet, file folders Notepad

7. More of What You Need Participation in at least one library tutorial session on searches Library copy card A dedicated desk/work area A door that closes against rest of world/family A colleague who will read and critique

8. Steps of the Process Figure out the topic/s of the review Write a definition/problem statement Determine the variables for follow- through Peruse the secondary sources Select an appropriate index and do a trial run

9. More Steps of the Process Expand your search to related bibliographic databases and indices Read and take notes Collect bibliographies Search for the primary sources behind the secondary sources Write often Get lots of feedback

10. Notes on Process Review versus reproduction Assertions Reinventing the wheel Style of writing Finding your own voice

11. Organization The first organization of the lit review is never the best one Experiment with several organizational formats A solution but not the best one--Put it all in and let your chair give you guidance

12. Don’t Forget Each major section is a paper unto itself –Introduction –Body –Conclusion Each paragraph needs a –Topic sentence –Concluding sentence Don’t cheat a conclusion of one section by introducing the next topic

13. The Circle Method of Concept Organization Leadership Vice Presidents Women Tasks Theory Develop ment Tasks Paths to Presidency Career Develop ment Measure ment Higher Education

14. Finding the Good Stuff How to start? Start Where to start? Anywhere What should be included? Initially, everything Why can’t I find much? You haven’t looked long, hard enough

15. More on Finding the Good Stuff When have I looked enough? When you come back on yourself How far back in the lit should I go? As far as necessary How many references are enough? When you’ve read the majority Why do I have to read what I won’t be including? So you know it’s there

16. Even More... How many primary sources? Virtually all How can I keep track of my reading? Try Endnotes Do I need to tell about the studies that I cite? For the key studies Long long should it be? Long enough (find out what your chair thinks is an appropriate length)

17. The Biggest Trap Jones said... Smith said... Hudson said... Booth said... And then Jones again said...

18. Hints for Success Take advantage of resources available to you Keep a log of key terms Think of it as small sections instead of one big project Use all of the capabilities of your computer Take advantage of the groundwork laid by others Look at other dissertation lit reviews on your topic

19. More Hints for Success Record a complete citation for everything you read (Endnotes helps) Be clear in your note taking Keep everything in one place Tell others what you are working on Contact researchers in the field (only after you really know what you are talking about!)

20. How Not to Insult your Chair Do not submit a draft that has not been properly formatted Do not submit a draft that has not been spell- checked Do not submit a draft that has not been grammar checked (Microsoft Word grammar checker is a weak eye) Use APA style format, citations, headings Do not submit a draft that has not been read and critiqued by a colleague

21. How It All Fits Together Research Questions 1 2 3 4 5 Etc. Chapter I Literature Review Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 4 Etc Chapter II Theoretical Constructs Chapter III Items On Data Collection Instruments Chapter III Data Presen- tation Chapter IV Data Analysis Chapter V Con- clusions Chapter V