Writing the RRL

• A Related Literature Review should be Lengthy and Comprehensive.
• It is a critical look at the existing research that is significant to the work that you are carrying out.

  Literature review
• Purpose of RRL

  1. The literature review is a critical look at the existing research that is significant to the work that you are carrying out.
  2. To provide background information
  3. To establish importance
  4. To demonstrate familiarity
  5. To “carve out a space” for further research
• Characteristics of Effective Literature Reviews

  1. Outlining important research trends
  2. Assessing the strengths and weaknesses of existing research
  3. Identifying potential gaps in knowledge
  4. Establishing a need for current and/or future research projects
• Steps for writing a literature review

  1. Planning
  2. Reading and Research
  3. Analyzing
  4. Drafting
  5. Revising
• • What is the specific thesis, problem, or research question that my literature review helps to define?
  • Identifying a focus that allows you to: - Sort and categorize information and Eliminate irrelevant information

  Focus
• • What type of literature review am I conducting?
  • Theory; Methodology; Policy; Quantitative; Qualitative


  Type
• • What is the scope of my literature review?
  • What types of sources am I using?

  Scope
• What field(s) am I working in?

  Academic Discipline
• Collect and read material.

  Reading and Researching
• Summarize Sources

  Reading and researching
• 1. Who is the author?
  2. What is the author's main purpose?
  3. What is the author’s theoretical perspective? Research methodology?
  4. Who is the intended audience?
  5. What is the principal point, conclusion, thesis, contention, or question?▪How is the author’s position supported?
  6. How does this study relate to other studies of the problem or topic?
  7. What does this study add to your project?
• A literature review is never just a list of studies—it always offers an argument about a body of research.

  Analyzing Sources
• Analysis occurs on two levels:

  1. Individual Sources
  2. Body of Research
• Four Analysis Tasks of the Literature Review

  1. Summarize
  2. Synthesize
  3. Critique
  4. Compare
• In your own words, summarize and/or synthesize the key findings relevant to your study.

  Summary and Synthesis
• What do we know about the immediate area?

  What are the key arguments, key characteristics, key concepts or key figures?

  What are the existing debates/theories?

  What common methodologies are used?

  Summary and Synthesis
• Once you have summarized, synthesized, compared, and critiqued your chosen material, you may consider whether these studies:

  Demonstrate the topic’s chronological development.

  Show different approaches to the problem.

  Show an ongoing debate.

  Center on a “seminal” study or studies.

  Demonstrate a “paradigm shift.”

  Analyzing
• • What do researchers KNOW about this field?
  • What do researchers NOT KNOW?
  • Why should we (further) study this topic?
  • What will my study contribute?

  Analyzing
• To help you approach your draft in a manageable fashion, this section addresses the following topics:

  Requirement

  Research Statement

  Organization

  Introduction and conclusion

  Citations
• Indicate scope of the literature review.

  Provide some background to the topic.

  Demonstrate the importance or need for research.

  Make a claim.

  Offer an overview/map of the ensuing discussion.

  Introductions
• • Summarize the main findings of your review.
  • Provide closure.
  • Explain “so what?”
  • Implications for future research.
  • Connections to the current study.

  Conclusions
• If it’s not your own idea (and not common knowledge)—DOCUMENT IT!

  Citing Sources
• • Paraphrase key ideas.
  • Use quotations sparingly.
  • Introduce quotations effectively.
  • Use proper in-text citation to document the source of ideas.
  • Maintain accurate bibliographic records.

  Citing Sources
• Citing sources: Things to Avoid

  1. Plagiarism
  2. Irrelevant quotations.
  3. Un-introduced quotations.
• Is my title consistent with the content of my paper?

  Title
• Do I appropriately introduce my review?

  Introduction
• Does my review have a clear claim?

  Thesis
• Is the organization clear? Have I provided headings?

  Body
• Have I clearly indicated the major idea(s) of each paragraph?

  Topic Sentences
• Does my writing flow?

  Transitions
• Do I provide sufficient closure?

  Conclusions
• Are there any major spelling or grammatical mistakes?

  Spelling and Grammar
• As you read, try to see the “big picture” —your literature review should provide an overview of the state of research.
• Include only those source materials that help you shape your argument.  Resist the temptation to include everything you’ve read!
• Balance summary and analysis as you write.
• Be meticulous about citations.