Literature ReviewLiterature ReviewXingwei WangXingwei Wang

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What is a literature review

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What is a literature review

summary of the sources› a recap of the important information of the

source

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What is a literature review

synthesis › a re-organization, or a reshuffling, of that

information

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What is a literature review

synthesis › a re-organization, or a reshuffling, of that

information› a new interpretation of old material or

combine new with old interpretations

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What is a literature review

synthesis › a re-organization, or a reshuffling, of that

information› a new interpretation of old material or

combine new with old interpretations› trace the intellectual progression of the field,

including major debates

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What is a literature review

synthesis › a re-organization, or a reshuffling, of that

information› a new interpretation of old material or

combine new with old interpretations› trace the intellectual progression of the field,

including major debates› evaluate the sources and advise the reader

on the most pertinent or relevant

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What is a literature review

• Have thesis statement?

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What is a literature review

• What are the 3 basic elements?

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What is a literature review

• What are the 3 basic elements?– Introduction or background– Body– Conclusion

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Why do we write literature reviews?

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Why do we write literature reviews?

• a handy guide to a particular topic• give you an overview or act as a stepping

stone (limited time for research)• keep professionals up to date with what is

current in the field

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Before writing, what shall I do?

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Before writing, what shall I do?

• Clarify• Find models• Narrow your topic

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Clarify

Roughly how many sources should you include? What types of sources (books, journal articles,

websites)? Should you summarize, synthesize, or critique

your sources by discussing a common theme or issue?

Should you evaluate your sources? Should you provide subheadings and other

background information, such as definitions and/or a history?

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Find models

Look for other literature reviews in your area of interest or in the discipline and read them

Simply put the word "review" in your search engine along with your other topic terms to find articles of this type on the Internet or in an electronic database.

The bibliography or reference section of sources you've already read are also excellent entry points into your own research.

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Narrow your topic

• The narrower your topic, the easier it will be to limit the number of sources you need to read in order to get a good survey of the material

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Consider whether your sources are current

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Strategies for writing the literature review

Find a focus› what themes or issues connect your sources

together. › Do they present one or different solutions? › Is there an aspect of the field that is missing?› How well do they present the material and do they

portray it according to an appropriate theory?› Do they reveal a trend in the field? › A raging debate? Pick one of these themes to focus the organization of

your review.

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Strategies for writing the literature review

• Construct a working thesis statement

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Strategies

Consider organization: 3 basic elements:› introduction or background Gives a quick idea of the topic of the literature review,

such as the central theme or organizational pattern. › body of the review containing the discussion of

sources Contains your discussion of sources and is organized

either chronologically, thematically, or methodologically› Conclusion and/or recommendations section to

end the paper

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Strategies

• Organizing the body– Chronological

• By publication• By trend

– Thematic– Methodological

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Other Subsections

Current Situation: Information necessary to understand the topic or focus of the literature review.

History: The chronological progression of the field, the literature, or an idea that is necessary to understand the literature review, if the body of the literature review is not already a chronology.

Methods and/or Standards: The criteria you used to select the sources in your literature review or the way in which you present your information.

Questions for Further Research: What questions about the field has the review sparked? How will you further your research as a result of the review?

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Begin composing

Use evidence› Your interpretation of the available sources must be

backed up with evidence to show that what you are saying is valid.

Be selective› Select only the most important points in each source

to highlight in the review Use quotes sparingly Summarize and synthesize Keep your own voice Use caution when paraphrasing

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Revise, revise, revise

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Endnote

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Sample

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References

• Endnote software• www.library.uml.edu

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References

• http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/literature_review.html

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Important Notes

• Each group has 2-3 members.• One presentation is required from each group.• All group members need to present.• Each presentation will take 15 minutes and have

another 5 minutes for Q & A. (I have a timer! )– At least 1 question from each competition group

• Only one report is required from each group.• All reports are due by the midnight of the

presentation date.

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1st Presentation/Report• 7/18 (Thursday)

– Topic (focus; not too broad; relate to your background)

– Group members (responsibility for each member; how you communicate with each other);

– Project management plan (timeline)– Know where and how to find the sources– Rough outline– Clarify; find models (which journal

template/format); narrow your topic!31

2nd Presentation/Report

• 7/26 (Friday)– Detailed outline (3 basic elements; how to

organize the paper; what and how many sources to include in each section)

– group members (responsibility for each member; how you communicate with each other);

– project management plan (timeline; current status compared with the planned timeline: on track?)

– Find the sources (30% sources) 32

3rd Presentation/Report

• 8/6 (Tuesday)– 80% complete– group members (responsibility for each

member; how you communicate with each other);

– project management plan (timeline; current status compared with the planned timeline: on track?)

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Final Presentation/Report

• 100% complete• Professional presentation and report to the

public• Dress up • A mimic professional conference ~

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Q & A

• Group competition..

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