Writing a Literature ReviewAIC SHEA LIBRARY

What is a literature review?

Not to be confused with a book review, a literature review surveys scholarly articles, books and other sources (e.g. dissertations, conference proceedings) relevant to a particular issue, area of research, or theory, providing a description, summary, and critical evaluation of each work. The purpose is to offer an overview of significant literature published on a topic.http://guides.library.ucsc.edu/write-a-literature-review

Why write a literature review?

Determine the previous research on topic of interest.

Determine level of theory and knowledge development.

Determine relevance of current knowledge base to the problem area.

Provide rationale for selection of research strategy.

Six Steps to Conducting a Literature Review:

1. Determine when to conduct a search.

2. Delimit what is searched.

3. Access databases for periodicals, books and documents.

4. Organize the information.

5. Critically evaluate the literature.

6. Write the literature review.

Step 1: Determine when to Conduct a Search

Beyond the fact that your assignment requires you to do this…

Experimental: a literature review always precedes both the final formulation of a research question and the implementation of the study. In other words, you need to review what other research has been conducted before you can settle on your research question. So, you have to do some research before you can do your research.

Step 2: Delimit what is searched.

In other words, narrow your search. Set parameters (or boundaries) as to what is

relevant to your search. Your review must be comprehensive, but still

practical but not overwhelming. From here you will select keywords to search.

Step 3: Access Databases for Periodicals, Books, and DocumentsUse the library!!!!!!

As you search, continue to refine your keywords and search parameters.

Step 4: Organize the Information

Begin by reading the abstracts to determine value of the study. Organize your work by piles:

A: works that must be read!

B: works that are somewhat relevant.

C: works that may be read depending on the direction your review takes.

X: not relevant (it happens)

You will have to find 2-3 times the amount of articles your assignment requires to do this effectively.

Step 5: Critically Evaluate the Literature

1. What way of knowing and level of knowledge are presented?

2. Was the work presented clearly, unambiguously, and consistently?

3. What is the purpose of the work? Is the purpose implicit? Is it stated? How does the purpose influence the knowledge discussed in the work?

4. What is the scope and application of the work?

5. What support exists for the claims being made in the source?

6. What debates, new works, and trends are presented in the work?

7. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the work?

8. What research queries, or questions, emerge from the work?

Factors to Critically Review:

Level of knowledge. Is it descriptive, explanatory, or at the level of prediction?

How knowledge is generated. Identify the research strategy or research design.

Read the methodology section.

Critically examine whether it is appropriate for the level of knowledge.

Boundaries of study. Determine the "who, what, when, and where" of the study.

Step 6: Write the Literature Review

A good literature review presents an overview of the relevant work on your topic and a critical evaluation of the works.

Elements of Writing a Literature Review:

Introduction

Discussion of each related concept, construct, principle, theory, and model in current literature.

Brief review of related study designs and their results.

Critical appraisal of current related research and knowledge.

Integration of various works reviewed.

Fit of investigators study with the collective knowledge related to the topic under investigation.

Overview and justification for study and design.

Sample APA paper

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/media/pdf/20090212013008_560.pdf

Resources

DePoy, E., & Gitlin, L. N. (2011). Introduction to research: Understanding and applying multiple strategies. St. Louis, Mo: Elsevier/Mosby.

http://libguides.aic.edu/publichealth

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/1