Top Tips for Writing a Literature Review
Monica Fernandes, Academic Skills Adviser
ASK WEEK Pathways to Success 18-22 November 2013
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Objectives
What is a literature review?
What should a literature review accomplish?
How to start a literature review
How to write and structure a literature review
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#1 Know what it is
+ A literature review is… An critical evaluation of scholarly articles, books and other sources (e.g. dissertations etc)
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that are relevant to your study
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It is also selective and refined –from general to specific
It is not…
An exhaustive bibliography
A selection of quotes, summaries and abstracts – the sources must be discussed by you
A description of the topic area
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#2 Know what it should do
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What your literature review should do?
It should…
Tell the story that leads to your project Give an overview of the ‘big issues’ Summarise and evaluate other people’s work related to your study. What gaps are there? Show your research skills – it must be logical, systematic and accurate
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#3
Research your topic extensively
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use of all your resources
Library
sources
Websites Databases
Do
general readings of your topic Identify main keywords Use these key words in your search
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#4 Organise your materials
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Categorise your work...
Chronological • Show advances • Changes over time • Issues to be addressed
Thematic • Key issues, themes, debates • Isolate key issues
Methodological • Different methods – evaluate • Identify key method
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#5 Have a strong structure
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Paragraph structure... Statement/Topic sentence Evidence or Examples
Explanations and Reasoning
Evaluation/Transition: So what?
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Good topic sentences In
a literature review, specifically, a good topic sentence will…
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Draw connections between multiple sources
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Contextualise the research broadly in relation to multiple sources
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In short, it will say something about what the sources do or contribute to the body of knowledge, rather than just what they’re about.
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Signposting
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General tips Read
other great literature reviews to know what’s expected from you
Read
books specialising in Lit reviews
Check
you have provided sufficient context and justification for your research project
Credibility
of source (author, publication)
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Summary A literature review is not a bibliography.
It needs to summarise, synthesise and evaluate.
The review needs to be organised and structured appropriately.
The review must discuss different schools of thought and arguments and present a balanced picture of any debates.
It must ‘tell the story’ leading to your project and provide a rationale for it.
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For more help...
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Or email us at: ask@brunel.ac.uk
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Organisations -> Academic Skills -> Workshop Presentations -> ASK Week Spring 2013