Education: Resources for Research: Write & Cite

WRITING A LITERATURE REVIEW: FIRST STEPS

Overall purpose: to summarize and synthesize the arguments and ideas presented in a body of

literature related to your research question

• Which literature to include
  • Empirical studies- Empirical studies refer to the collection and analysis of primary data based on direct observation or experiences in the field. 
    • Old and new
  • Seminal articles- Seminal works, sometimes called pivotal or landmark studies, are articles that initially presented an idea of great importance or influence within a particular discipline.
  • Current articles
  • Literature reviews that have been published before
• Organization
  • Organize around the ideas, rather than the articles
• General structure
  • Introduction; statement of scope
  • Themes, each in turn
  • As listed in the introduction
  • Each closing with a very brief summary, if they are more than a
  • paragraph or two
  • Conclusion: connecting the literature to your research question
• Writing tips
  • Use evidence
  • Be selective
  • For a particular article, you don’t need to report everything discovered
  • You don’t need to include every article you find
  • Use quotes sparingly
  • Keep your own voice
  • Be clear about which ideas are yours and which are from the sources you’ve read
  • Use caution when paraphrasing
  • Be accurate
  • Use your own words
  • Use headings to help the reader