literature reviews writing the literature review
TRANSCRIPT
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