Literature Reviews

Library Extension

Today’s session:

•What is a literature review?

•Good and bad reviews

•Steps involved

•Organisation/structure

•Common mistakes and challenges

What is a literature review?

•‘A review of the literature’

•A presentation of key themes written about a topic, citing the sources.

•A consolidation of current and past research in the field.

•A perspective, often a critical view, of the state of information on a given topic.

Purpose

The aims of a literature review are to:

•Show understanding of the subject area

•Demonstrate library research skills

•Justify a research topic, design, and methodology

When will you write them?

•As stand alone assessment items

•As part of any research assignment

–At the beginning, after/as part of the introduction

•You may also have to include literature reviews in presentations

What they look like:

The victims of sexual harassment suffer a range of consequences, from lowered self-esteem and loss of self confidence to withdrawal from social interaction, changed career goals, and depression (Adams, Kottke, & Padgitt, 1983; Benson & Thomson, 1982; Dziech & Weiner, 1990). For example, Adams, Kottke, and Padgitt (1983) noted that 13% of female students said they avoided taking a class or working with certain professors because of the risk of harassment. (continued)

Good vs Bad

•What are the main differences between the ‘good’ and the ‘bad’ literature reviews?

•What does this mean for your review?

•Look at ‘Another review’ - Good or bad?

Steps involved:

1.Define your search terms

2.Access search engines

–Search Summons

•Library catalogue

•Databases

–Google Scholar

3.Read the abstracts