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Writing the Literature Review Writing Center Staff Walden University Objectives Define purpose and goals of literature review Recognize differences by program Identify resources for locating, reading, and organizing sources Learn strategies for synthesizing sources and writing the review Literature Review: Definition Scholarly, peer-reviewed journal articles (most common) Internal documents (sparingly; consult with faculty) Conference proceedings Books Collection of materials on a topic Government documents Literature reviews by program DBA • Section 1 • DBA doctoral study rubric DNP • DNP minimum standards rubric EdD • Research study: Section 2 • Project study: Sections 1 & 3 • EdD research & project study rubrics PhD • Chapter 2 • PhD checklists Literature Review: Purpose Provide clear background of your topic and focus Update colleagues on state of field Demonstrate your credibility as a researcher Literature Review: Goals Teach readers about your topic and focus • State of the field • History • Current ideas • Major studies • Practical headings • Keywords from study title and problem statement Present full picture of topic • Studies supporting your focus • Studies opposing your focus • Saturation point • Numbers of sources will vary Literature review: Process Locate literature Write/revise the literature review essay Synthesize and understand sources well enough to teach them Read and take notes Organize notes into sections Locating literature Search options Publication types Library resources Broad search, then narrow Journal articles Verify peerreviewed status Disciplinary databases Books Multiple databases (Thoreau) Government documents Google Scholar Theories and theorists Lit review appointment with librarian Library webinars Locating literature: Common errors Relying on sources that are not peer reviewed (e.g., personal communications) Citing unreliable websites for definitions (e.g., Wikipedia; --.com) Citing only textbooks (not journal articles) for methods (e.g., Creswell) Relying on secondary sources: Yadir, as cited in Ingebretsen (2013) Reading literature Each source What was the problem? Research questions Evidence What were the method details? What were the findings? Data Method and design Conclusions Participants (lit review, refs) Recommendations Instrumentation Organizing ideas: Literature review matrix Writing the literature review: Synthesis Summary Brief description of one source’s main ideas Tell brief story of each source Annotated bibliography Synthesis Extended explanation of ideas, trends, themes, theories, and/or methods among multiple sources Combine multiple sources to tell detailed story of your topic Literature review Synthesis Schwester (2013) reported results consistent with findings in Hill’s (2011) and Yao’s (2012) studies. Keller (2012) found that X occurred. Likewise, Daal (2013) found that X occurred but also noted that the effects of X differed from those suggested by Keller (2012). Although Mehmad (2012) suggested X, O’Donnell (2013) recommended a different approach. Synthesis language Synthesis: Common errors Error Present multiple sources in one paragraph without clear connections Force illogical relationships among sources “Most researchers agree” “These statistics are alarming” “Study X is just like Study Y” Use back-to-back direct quotations Synthesis Present clear relationships among sources Establish logical connections among sources “Author X’s (2013) results aligned with [or diverged from] Author Y’s (2012) in these ways” Use paraphrases and clear analysis to hold ideas together Writing the literature review: Content Connect source details to heading: How do these sources teach readers about this part of your topic? Include only source details relevant to your study: Which details do readers need to know? Critical essay (introduction, body, conclusion) Conclude with -- Summary of key points -- Connections among key points and your study -- Transition to next chapter/section Acknowledge and refute counterarguments: Which studies oppose yours? How are supporting studies stronger? Writing the literature review: Tips Clarity • Present literature in context of your study (synthesis). • Explain ideas clearly to readers outside field. Academic integrity • Copying words/ideas without credit is unethical. • Copying/citing only abstracts is not a lit review. • Use Turnitin to locate/correct quotation errors. Direct quotations • Use sparingly (not in every section/page); paraphrase sources instead. • Quotations do not demonstrate critical analysis. Literature review: Process (reminder) Write/revise the literature review essay Synthesize and understand sources well enough to teach them Organize notes into sections Locate literature Read and take notes Literature review: Resources Center for Research Quality • Research Resources (Research Planning & Writing) • DBA doc study rubric, DNP min. standards rubric, EdD research & project study rubrics, PhD checklists Library • Lit review appointment with librarian • Disciplinary databases, Thoreau, & Google Scholar • Journal articles, books, gov’t docs, theorists • Verify peer-reviewed status & Library webinars Writing Center • Literature review basics (includes matrices) • Paraphrasing • Lit review and annotated bib basics: Webinar Moving ahead Type answers into Questions box: → What steps will you take to apply what you learned about writing the literature review in this session? Questions? [email protected] (replies within 24 hours)