candidacy proposal series 5/5 literature review: writing

Curtin University Library

Graduate Research Advanced Skills Program (GRASP)

Candidacy Proposal Series5/5 Literature Review: Writing

Dr Petra Dumbell, Sem 1 2021

30/03/2021


Curtin University acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which Curtin Perth is located, the Wadjuk people of the

Nyungar Nation; and on our Kalgoorlie campus, the Wonguthapeople of the North-Eastern Goldfields.

30/03/2021

Curtin University Library30/03/2021

Candidacy Proposal Series 1/5




Purpose and Structure of your candidacy proposal

Methodology and methods

Developing and refining your research questions

Literature Review: Searching & Selecting


Literature Review: Reading & Writing







Purpose and Structure of your candidacy proposal

Methodology and methods

Developing and refining your research questions

Literature Review: Searching & Selecting

Literature Review: Reading & Writing


3. Read • Read• … then read again• Capture and organise information

• Bibliographic information (Endnote, Mendeley, Zotero…)• Summary and your thoughts on the resources (Word, Excel..)• Thematic analysis of resources (mind mapping…)

Tip: work out a process, but don’t spend too much time on it Be flexible and adapt your process.


4. Write

• Use mindmap or other method to outline your chapter • Plan your headings/sections/paragraphs/signposts • Keep your audience in mind


Using written sources in your research story • Direct quotation - used very little • Summarising - effective analysis should result in summary• Paraphrasing - vital for developing your own scholarly voice (= your own

clarification or translation of the passage)• Synthesising - crucial for making the connections between

voices/views/approaches/methods/findings


Your scholarly voice

Your Scholarly

VoiceOTHER VOICES

supporting

contradicting

contrasting

complicating

OTHER VOICES

supporting

contradicting

contrasting

complicating

4 Integrating SourcesSYNTHESIS

An example from Biology

Learning Resource Centre, Learning Development, University of Woolongong, 2000.

4 Integrating Sources SYNTHESIS

Learning Resource Centre, Learning Development, University of Woolongong, 2000.


https://www.phrasebank.manchester.ac.uk


Which tense to use in the literature review?• Past tense can be the primary verb tense in the literature review section

described, found• Emphasise a difference in timing with Past Perfect tense

had described, had found• Use Present Perfect tense when timing is uncertain

have been testing

It is also OK to use present tenseSnyder’s argument draws upon…Maeda provides a fascinating insight into…Saaba argues, identifies, elaborates…

… because the literature is still existent and in the public domain.(Johnson, 2004)


Tips for literature review You need a frame; think about what is included & excluded Keep the context of your research project in mind - what you are looking for? Find a gap in the literature to make an original contribution to knowledge Read for interpretation, not facts - focus on the why, not the what Find your scholarly voice: stand on the shoulders of giants, but don’t hide

behind them Tell a good story - introduction, conclusion, sections, sign-posting Act with academic integrity – proper acknowledgement of sources

Adapted from Tara Brabazon


Remember


Questions ?


References Literature Reviews: Example from Biology’. 2000 Learning Resource Centre, Learning Development, University of Woolongong.

Academic Phrasebank – Referring to Sources. Accessed 16th March 2021 from http://www.phrasebank.manchester.ac.uk/referring-to-sources/

Howearth, Lynette. 2009. Summary of Proposed Research Program.

Brabazon, Tara. 2017. ‘A Stroppy Professor’s Guide to Literature Review.’ Office of Graduate Research, Flinders University. Accessesd 22nd of March 2021 at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SejiQu-PtMI

Johnson, S. 2004. ‘Mastering verb tenses in literature reviews.’ Nurse Author & Editor. Winter, 2004. 14 (1) 7 – 9.

Machi, L. A. ; McEvoy, B. T. 2016.The Literature Review: Six Steps to Success. Third edition. Thousand Oaks, California : Corwin

http://www.phrasebank.manchester.ac.uk/referring-to-sources/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SejiQu-PtMI


Additional material


The Toulmin model of argumentStephen Toulmin (1958) proposed a model of argumentation which attempts to describe what often happens when we formulate an argument.

Toulmin claims that• an argument cannot be considered valid purely on the basis of its

form • an argument does not become automatically better by adding more

evidence

(Machi & McEvoy, 2016)


The Toulmin model of argument

• Data - the evidence used to support a claim• Warrant - a reason or principle used to connect the data with the claim• Claim - the conclusion about the observed data

(Machi & McEvoy, 2016)



DataAll members of the family were granted refugee status by the American government.

WarrantThe law provides that all those granted refugee status may apply for American citizenship.

ClaimPresumably, all members of the family have the legal right to apply for American citizenship.



DataAll members of the family were granted refugee status by the American government. Complicating factor: one family member has a criminal record

WarrantThe law provides that all those granted refugee status may apply for American citizenship. Complicating factor: those with criminal records may not apply for citizenship

ClaimAll members of the family (except, presumably, the member with the criminal record) have the right to apply for American citizenship


Data a

Data n

Organised evidence Warrant CLAIM

Logical Bridge

“Given the data on the subject, this is what we can conclude.”

(Machi & McEvoy, 2016, p.51)


(Machi & McEvoy, 2016, p.51)

Premise 1

Major Claim

Warrant

Simple claim 2Evidence Claim

Warrant


Warrant

Simple claim nEvidence Claim

Warrant

Premise 2

Premise 3

Premise n


Warrant

candidacy proposal series 5/5 literature review: writing

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