Writing a Literature Review Assignment

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Writing a Literature Review Assignment

• This workshop will 
• Provide information on how to handle content and
  structure of a literature review assignment.
• Offer tips on how to assemble findings from the
  literature into an essay-style format.
• Introduce you to basic elements of good practice
  when drafting the finished paper.

Louise Livesey Academic Skills Adviser
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The Plan

1. What is a literature review assignment?
2. What is in a literature review assignment
3. Structuring literature reviews
4. Moving from analytical notes to written work
5. Maintaining academic style

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1.What is a literature review assignment?

• It is not a furniture sale catalogue
• (Haywood Wragg, 1982 2).

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1.What is a literature review assignment?
What is it, then?
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Activity 1 What does a review achieve?
1.What is a literature review assignment?

• Aims of the research
• To establish a taxonomy of the student peer
  mentor by seeking, from the research, a list of
  mentor characteristics most often associated with
  positive outcomes from the mentoring relationship
  for both mentor and mentee. Briefly described in
  abstract and then more fully in penultimate
  paragraph.

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1.What is a literature review assignment?

• Main aim should demonstrate a sound
  understanding of work done previously in the
  topic area.
• Identify research possibilities and tailor a
  possible research project
• Locate or develop a research methodology
  appropriate to a future project
• Justify a choice of area for further
  investigation.

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1.What is a literature review assignment?

• Its not just about collection, its about
  showing you can select, organize and classify
  findings into a coherent account (Bell, 2005
  110).
• The written up review is deliberately succinct
  and gives the key research/knowledge/issues in
  the field.
• It is not descriptive sources need to be
  engaged with critically before they make the
  final cut. Finding the literature may be about
  fact-finding but the written up version rarely
  is.
• It aims for academic critical objectivity it is
  not a good idea to leave out a key study/finding
  because it disagrees with a position or
  hypothesis you are arguing...

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2.What is in a literature
review
assignment
Degree/level Overall content is determined by what youve found when reviewing literature.
BA, BSc, BEng Topic focused to answer a question or justify further research so - Key (current) sources - Seminal (definitive) sources
MA, MSc Summarise fields knowledge so far Analyse both the topic and the body of work found within it inc. theoretical underpinning of the topic/key issues May analyse the methodology literature. Seminal work is included but new research that is highly relevant is foregrounded.
(adapted from Hart, 1998 15)
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A written up literature review might include
2.What is in a literature
review
assignment
    Historical background   Justification of the relevance of a future research project by showing the body of knowledge it would contribute to  
    An overview of current research context   Identification analysis of key evidence, concepts and theories which underpin a given topic within a discipline.  
  Current gaps in the field where new research could extend or complete missing aspects of what has been researched before.     Debate about key assumptions or findings that a discipline relies upon  
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3.Structuring literature reviews

• The expectations around basic structure apply
• Introduction
• (Headings/sections)
• Conclusion
• References
• (Appendices)

Thematic Pros and cons Chronologically
Theoretical Fors and againsts Historical to present
Methodological Strengths and weaknesses Era by era
(Hart, 1998 Ridley, 2012)
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3.Structuring literature reviews

• 3 potential structures at text level
• Distant to close
• Comparative/
• contrasting
• Chronological

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3.Structuring literature reviews
Managing a point at sentence level
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4.Moving from analyticalnotes to written work
Analysing sources
Writing draft
Thinking, planning, mapping
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4.Moving from analyticalnotes to written work

• Keep the aims/questions/hypotheses of the
  assignment firmly in mind when beginning to
  assemble the material.
• Remember it is a circular not a linear process.
• Bear in mind the potential overlaps between the
  sub-topics within the topic you are reviewing.
• Create a line of reasoning that leads a reader to
  your conclusion/position.

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4.Moving from analyticalnotes to written work
TALKING POINT

• Using the notes function of Endnote
• Using MS Office OneNote to create a notebook
• Using sticky notes
• Creating a database of findings in access or
  excel
• Code up handwritten or typed notes using a
  personalised colour code or alpha-numeric code
• Use the back of a roll of wallpaper to brainstorm
  and link findings in your notes
• Use mind-mapping or concept mapping, either by
  hand or using university software

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5.Maintaining academic style

• Avoid over personalisation unless a lecturer
  suggests they want a personal take 3rd person
  sentences and pronouns.
• Scrutiny of recent data reveals vs I looked at
  some recent information
• You are criticising theories/evidence/studies
  not people.
• Potential deficiencies of Smiths study are vs
  Smith is clearly not a reliable researcher
• Your review is not journalism, make sure all of
  your observations have evidence to back them up
  and dont be chatty.
• This reviews findings would suggest vs what I
  found was
• Use cautious phrasing more than definitive
  statements
• Potential issues within Prasans study are vs
  This study is poor
• Avoid overly-complex sentences 7-15 words per
  sentence are enough.

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5.Maintaining academic style

• Consider using a phrasebank during the editing
  and re-drafting phase of writing to help you to
  improve on your style.
• Morleys Phrasebank http//www.phrasebank.manches
  ter.ac.uk/

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5.Maintaining academic style
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References

• Bell, J. (2005) Doing your research project. 4th
  ed. Maidenhead, Open University Press.
•  
• Hart, C. (1998) Doing a literature review
  releasing the social science research
  imagination. London, SAGE Publications Ltd.
•  
• Haywood, P. Wragg, E.D. (1982) Evaluating the
  literature. Rediguide 2, Nottingham, University
  of Nottingham School of Education.
•  
• Oliver, P. (2012) Succeeding with your literature
  review. Maidenhead, Open University Press.
•  
• Ridley, D. (2012) The literature review. 2nd
  edition. London, Sage Publications Ltd.
•  
• Terrion, J.L. Leonard, D. (2007) A taxonomy of
  the characteristics of student peer mentors in
  higher education findings from a literature
  review. Mentoring Tutoring, 15 (2), 149-164.
•  
• Weissberg, R. Buker, S. (1990) Writing up
  research experimental research report writing
  for students of English. Englewood Cliffs,
  Prentice Hall.

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Academic Skills Advice Service

• Where are we? Chesham Building B0.23. Give us a
  call or come speak to us Monday-Thursday
  10am-12pm and 1pm-4pm
• Who am I? Louise, the dedicated workshop adviser.
  
• Who can help me with study and writing skills?
  Lucy and Russell run Instant Study Skills Advice
  sessions Monday-Thursday and Writing Skills
  Clinics twice a week. You can also access
  self-help resources on our webpage.
• Who can give me maths advice? Helen and Michael
  specialise in Maths support for students though
  clinics and pre-booked appointments.
• How do I get in touch? Email academic-skills_at_brad
  .ac.uk Telephone [phone]

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Any questions?
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