Researching & Writing a Literature Review

Karen CicconeNCSU Libraries

In being asked to write a literature review, you may hear the following phrases:

“What does the literature show us?”“Connect your ideas to the literature.”“Survey the literature on the topic.”

What is the literature?

“The literature” is the published record of the research that has been done in a field. It can be compared to a conversation or “chain story” in which each person who contributes picks up where someone else left off.Indexed and searchable using

library databases, Google ScholarAccessed through paid library

subscriptions

Digging Into the Literature

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B

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= Major works

Digging Into the Literature

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B

C

D

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Major works

Studies that rely onthe major works

Digging Into the Literature

A

B

C

D

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Major works

Studies that build on Ideas in major works

= New major work

Your literature review is the specific story that sets the background for and shows the importance of your research.

It is not merely a summary of what has been done before!

It is a conceptual framework presenting your own understanding of the literature and setting the context for your own work.

The literature review portion of your thesis also serves to:

Demonstrate your knowledge of your topic and the field

Ensure that your research has not been done before

Point the way to future research

Overview of the Process

Topic: choose, explore, focus

Collect Information: search databases, find articles, evaluate and select articles

RefWorks: download articles from searches, use to create the paper’s bibliography

Read Articles: analyze articles, synthesize information into a new conceptual framework (not just a series of article descriptions) – take detailed notes and write an evolving draft as you go along!

Write and Revise Paper, and Create Bibliography

Questions

“What are the components of a literature review?”

Questions

“What are the components of a literature review?” introduction providing context overview of key concepts and important papers discussion of critical gaps and disagreements

in the literature

Models of Paper Structures“Stringing” Model:

how you might organize a simple summary paper

Introduction

Paragraph 1: Summary ordescription of article 1

Paragraph 2: Summary or description of article 2

Paragraph 3: Summary or description of article 3

Paragraph 4: Summary ordescription of article 4

Summary and conclusions

This is not a good model for a literature review!

“Synthesis” Model: one way you might organize your literature

review

Introduction--Introduce context, topic, importance, research questions, overview

Theme A: Introduce concept or theme, discuss/compare the relevant parts of papers 1, 3, and 4

Theme B: Introduce concept or theme, discuss/compare the relevant parts of papers 2,4, and 5

Theme C: Introduce concept or theme, discuss/compare the relevant parts of papers 5 and 6

Final paragraphs --Summarize and highlight conclusions, unresolved issues, identify possible next steps in research and/or practice.

Questions

“Is there a particular step-by-step process to follow?”

Read Synthetically

Identify major themes or concepts in the literature

Classify papers, or paper sections, by topic, method, theme

Compare and contrast papersWhat are the relationships between sources?Where are there disagreements?What work still needs to be done?

Outline your conceptual framework in an evolving draft

A Synthesis Matrix

Tool to aid in synthesizing information from several sources

Concept 1

Concept 2

Concept 3

Concept 4

James, et al.

xxxxx xxxxx

Chung xxxxx xxxxx

Levy xxxx xxxxx

Some Tips for Writing

Don’t wait until you’ve finished searching the literature – write your thoughts as you read.

Start with the easier sections (probably not the introduction).

Take detailed notes, including complete citations.

Get feedback, and don’t take it too personally.Aim for a style that is clear, simple, and

straightforward.

Questions

“How do I know when I have found enough information?”

“How do I know when I have done a thorough review of the major works on a topic?”

Collecting Information1. Find books on your topic. Review the works

cited.

2. Search the major index for your field, indexes for related fields, and Google Scholar. Determine scope of topic within your discipline Round out understanding with terms and concepts from

other disciplines Use database alerts to stay abreast

3. Search a citation database (Web of Science) Identify seminal papers Trace citations back and forward to find related works Use citation alerts for important papers

Talk to your advisor. Share your list of references and ask if there are others you should be sure to read and include.

… make sure to include your advisor’s work that pertains to your research!

Questions

“What’s the best way to keep your references organized?”

“Is there software to help you with the process?”

Housekeeping Tips

Document searches, including search terms and topics covered in each databaseSave searches and set up alerts

Always get the complete citation information, and use a consistent format in referring to authors and papers, e.g. (Smith 1990)

Use a writing system that helps you avoid inadvertent plagiarism, i.e., cite and use quotes when needed

Use a citation management system, such as RefWorks or Zotero

Ask Questions!

Your advisor is there to help you.

Librarians are there to help you:

http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/askus

http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/staff/subjectspecialists/

Other workshops

Literature SearchingHow to identify good databasesMaximizing your use of them

Citation ManagementHow to save and organize your

referencesHow to format your citations