Literature Reviews

WRITING THE LITERATURE REVIEW

Literature Review

It is NOT

an annotated bibliography

or

a series of book reports!

It is scholarly plan for research!

It is used by many fields …

Political Science, Education, Geography,

Psychology, Architecture, History,

Gender Studies, Economics, Business,

Communications, Sociology, English,

Anthropology, Social Work, Archaeology,

Law, Medicine, Engineering,

… AND MANY MORE!

Role of a Literature Review

It can stand alone

or be part of a larger research project.

Format

Literature Reviews can be done in

MLA, Modern Language Association,

www.mla.org (Humanities)

APA, American Psychological Association,

www.apa.org (Social Sciences)

or many other formats!

Ask your Professor how to format your review!

Why do a Literature Review?

Define

Key Phrases and Terminology

Why do a Literature Review?

Identify Notable Theorists

Why do a Literature Review?

Explain Major Theories

Why do a Literature Review?

Show Connections Between Theories

Why do a Literature Review?

Identify Gaps or Holes in Theory

How do I start?

Narrow the Topic

General reading in the field

(Your Textbook)

Choose a topic that interests YOU

Ask your Professor for topic suggestions

How Do I Start?

Narrow the Research!

Narrow dates for research

Search subject specific databases and indexes

Develop Precise Search Vocabulary

How Do I Start?

Think About Outcomes!

What do you know now?What do you need to know?Where can you get this information?

(TIP: ASK A Research Librarian!)

How Do I Start?

Be a Great Researcher!

Note where, when, and how you found materials

You may have to go back

You may need this for your citations

How Do I Start?

Take the tutorial on the library home page to learn how to find sources

http://www.uky.edu/Libraries/FindIt/

How Do I Start?

SEARCH!

Schedule your search for hours when a Research Librarian is available

(M-R 9-8; F 9-5; Sat 12-4; Sun 3-7)

Read the Notes/Bibliography of articles for leads on additional resources

It takes longer than you think it will!

Classifying and Reading Research

Slow down and take notes in your own words

Read titles, intros, and TOC carefully

Survey for the big picture or thesis

Read it again

Writing The Review

A Good Literary Review is

Balanced

and

Objectively Critical.

Writing the Review: DO

Do present the work of others accurately.

Do format consistently.

Do cite only the work that directly relates to your work.

Do not forget to give credit any time you use the ideas of others.

Writing the Review: Introduction

Explain the History

Provide Background Information

Explain the Relevance of Your Topic

Preview Your Main Points

Writing the Review: The Body

Identify Each Researcher by Full Name

Date of Study/Research

Describe Methodology

Indentify Key Conclusions

Argue for Significance to Topic/Field

Explain Usefulness to YOU!

Writing the Review: Conclusion

Summarize Patterns or Trends

Show a Gap in Existing Knowledge

Argue for Further Study

Writing the Review: Revising

Read your paper out loud

Look for transitions

Be sure you can identify clear thesis sentences, and topic sentences.

Writing the Review

Be sure to

proofread,

edit,

spell and

grammar check!

Visit the Writing Center

The Writing Center

Young Library

Fifth Floor West Stacks

M-F 10-2 and M-W 6-9