THE
LITERATURE REVIEW: A FEW TIPS ON CONDUCTING IT
UNIVERSITY
OF WISCONSIN - HOW TO WRITE A LITERATURE REVIEW
Some additional things
to remember:
1) The biggest
challenge in writing a literature review is creating its structure. In
reading the research on your topic, group together articles around a
theme or idea and use them in the paper to support that idea. Headings
and subheadings can help to organize your paper.
2) Generally speaking,
it is best to start out general and become more specific (no pun
intended). If your review will include theory and research on a topic,
begin by discussing theory, then discuss the research.
3) You should work to
connect and integrate the articles you review THROUGHOUT your paper, as
well as in your conclusion. This is often done when introducing a new
study, through the use of transition sentences/clauses. Think
about how each article or study relates to everything else and make that
connection explicit to the reader.
4) Don’t forget to
cite authors/articles, when appropriate. When you make a point, be sure
to back it up either with a logical argument or empirical evidence.
5) Your conclusion
should include a summary, integration, and general evaluation of the
research you present. Your conclusions should lead to a research
question or to the need for the development of your project materials.
You might also want to draw conclusions as you go, say at the end of a
long section. Conclusions should be based on the research you present in
the paper. Do not draw conclusions that have no basis in that research.
6) Some mechanics:
-
Page
numbers and headers at top right hand corner; adhere to
APA style
and format for the thesis.
-
Be
sure to proofread your paper thoroughly and revise and rewrite. One
draft will not likely pass muster. Don’t rely solely on my (or a
peer's) edits/feedback; read and re-read and edit the paper yourself
each time you re-work your paper.
-
Remember
that a literature review and proposal is a relatively formal piece of writing.
Avoid slang and other informal forms like colloquialisms or
contractions, and stay away from personal opinions. Avoid using a
narrative style: this work is not a diary entry or a story..
7) Look for good
examples of literature reviews and introduction sections in the
literature on your topic. Note what authors do in presenting the
literature in your area.
