top tips for writing a literature review
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Top Tips for Writing a Literature Review
ASK WEEK Pathways to Success
18-22 November 2013
Monica Fernandes, Academic Skills
Adviser
+ Objectives
What is a literature review?
What should a literature review accomplish? How to start a literature review
How to write and structure a literature review
+
#1
Know what it is
+ A literature review is…
1. An critical evaluation of scholarly articles, books and other sources (e.g. dissertations etc)
2. that are relevant to your study
3. It is also selective and refined –from general to specific
It is not… An exhaustive bibliography
A selection of quotes, summaries and abstracts – the
sources must be discussed by you
A description of the topic area
+
# 2
Know what it should do
+ What your literature review should do?
It should…
Tell the story that leads to your project
Give an overview of the ‘big issues’
Summarise and evaluate other people’s work related to your study. What gaps are there?
Show your research skills – it must be logical, systematic and accurate
+
#3
Research your topic extensively
+
Make use of all your resources
Library sources
Websites
Databases
Do general readings of your topic
Identify main keywords
Use these key words in your search
+
#4
Organise your materials
+
Chronological • Show advances • Changes over time • Issues to be addressed
Thematic • Key issues, themes, debates • Isolate key issues
Methodological • Different methods – evaluate • Identify key method
Categorise your work...
+
#5
Have a strong structure
+ Paragraph structure...
Statement/Topic sentence
Evidence or Examples
Explanations and Reasoning
Evaluation/Transition: So what?
+ Good topic sentences
In a literature review, specifically, a good topic sentence will…
• Draw connections between multiple sources
• Contextualise the research broadly in relation to multiple sources
• In short, it will say something about what the sources do or contribute to the body of knowledge, rather than just what they’re about.
+ Signposting
+ General tips
Read other great literature reviews to know what’s expected from you
Read books specialising in Lit reviews
Check you have provided sufficient context and justification for your research project
Credibility of source (author, publication)
+ Summary A literature review is not a bibliography. It needs to summarise, synthesise and evaluate.
The review needs to be organised and structured appropriately.
The review must discuss different schools of thought
and arguments and present a balanced picture of any
debates.
It must ‘tell the story’ leading to your project and provide a rationale for it.
+ For more help...
ASK appointments (book online at http://libcalendar.brunel.ac.uk). Our appointment slots are:
Monday -Friday 12-2 pm
Tuesdays 5-7 pm
Or email us at: ask@brunel.ac.uk
Check out the ASK Blackboard Learn section for more resources
ASK WEEK Pathways to Success
Find these slides (and much more) on Blackboard
Organisations -> Academic Skills -> Workshop Presentations -> ASK Week Spring 2013
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