Researching & Writing a Literature Review Karen Ciccone NCSU Libraries.
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Transcript of Researching & Writing a Literature Review Karen Ciccone NCSU Libraries.
In being asked to write a literature review, you may hear the following phrases:
“What does the literature show us?”“Connect your ideas to the literature.”“Survey the literature on the topic.”
What is the literature?
“The literature” is the published record of the research that has been done in a field. It can be compared to a conversation or “chain story” in which each person who contributes picks up where someone else left off.Indexed and searchable using
library databases, Google ScholarAccessed through paid library
subscriptions
Digging Into the Literature
A
B
C
D
=
=
Major works
Studies that build on Ideas in major works
= New major work
Your literature review is the specific story that sets the background for and shows the importance of your research.
It is not merely a summary of what has been done before!
It is a conceptual framework presenting your own understanding of the literature and setting the context for your own work.
The literature review portion of your thesis also serves to:
Demonstrate your knowledge of your topic and the field
Ensure that your research has not been done before
Point the way to future research
Overview of the Process
Topic: choose, explore, focus
Collect Information: search databases, find articles, evaluate and select articles
RefWorks: download articles from searches, use to create the paper’s bibliography
Read Articles: analyze articles, synthesize information into a new conceptual framework (not just a series of article descriptions) – take detailed notes and write an evolving draft as you go along!
Write and Revise Paper, and Create Bibliography
Questions
“What are the components of a literature review?” introduction providing context overview of key concepts and important papers discussion of critical gaps and disagreements
in the literature
Models of Paper Structures“Stringing” Model:
how you might organize a simple summary paper
Introduction
Paragraph 1: Summary ordescription of article 1
Paragraph 2: Summary or description of article 2
Paragraph 3: Summary or description of article 3
Paragraph 4: Summary ordescription of article 4
Summary and conclusions
This is not a good model for a literature review!
“Synthesis” Model: one way you might organize your literature
review
Introduction--Introduce context, topic, importance, research questions, overview
Theme A: Introduce concept or theme, discuss/compare the relevant parts of papers 1, 3, and 4
Theme B: Introduce concept or theme, discuss/compare the relevant parts of papers 2,4, and 5
Theme C: Introduce concept or theme, discuss/compare the relevant parts of papers 5 and 6
Final paragraphs --Summarize and highlight conclusions, unresolved issues, identify possible next steps in research and/or practice.
Read Synthetically
Identify major themes or concepts in the literature
Classify papers, or paper sections, by topic, method, theme
Compare and contrast papersWhat are the relationships between sources?Where are there disagreements?What work still needs to be done?
Outline your conceptual framework in an evolving draft
A Synthesis Matrix
Tool to aid in synthesizing information from several sources
Concept 1
Concept 2
Concept 3
Concept 4
James, et al.
xxxxx xxxxx
Chung xxxxx xxxxx
Levy xxxx xxxxx
Some Tips for Writing
Don’t wait until you’ve finished searching the literature – write your thoughts as you read.
Start with the easier sections (probably not the introduction).
Take detailed notes, including complete citations.
Get feedback, and don’t take it too personally.Aim for a style that is clear, simple, and
straightforward.
Questions
“How do I know when I have found enough information?”
“How do I know when I have done a thorough review of the major works on a topic?”
Collecting Information1. Find books on your topic. Review the works
cited.
2. Search the major index for your field, indexes for related fields, and Google Scholar. Determine scope of topic within your discipline Round out understanding with terms and concepts from
other disciplines Use database alerts to stay abreast
3. Search a citation database (Web of Science) Identify seminal papers Trace citations back and forward to find related works Use citation alerts for important papers
Talk to your advisor. Share your list of references and ask if there are others you should be sure to read and include.
… make sure to include your advisor’s work that pertains to your research!
Questions
“What’s the best way to keep your references organized?”
“Is there software to help you with the process?”
Housekeeping Tips
Document searches, including search terms and topics covered in each databaseSave searches and set up alerts
Always get the complete citation information, and use a consistent format in referring to authors and papers, e.g. (Smith 1990)
Use a writing system that helps you avoid inadvertent plagiarism, i.e., cite and use quotes when needed
Use a citation management system, such as RefWorks or Zotero
Ask Questions!
Your advisor is there to help you.
Librarians are there to help you:
http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/askus
http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/staff/subjectspecialists/