2. Putting together the Literature Review
> Reviewing the literature requires the ability to do multiple
tasks from finding and evaluating relevant material to
synthesizing information from various sources: from critical
thinking to paraphrasing; evaluating and citation skills.
> Reviewing the literature is challenging. A good review
does not just summarize the literature but discusses it
critically, identifies methodological problems and prints out
research gaps.
3. What is a COHERENCE?
> Coherence directs to a well-organized and unified piece of
writing.
> It also refers on how well a manuscript holds together as a
unified document. It is important to ask yourself how well the
elements of your review connect with one another.
> Transitional expressions and other kinds of rhetorical markers
also help to identify the connection among the different
sections as “ in the next example” or “ in a related study”, the
most recent finding in the study.
> Use “First, Second and Third” at the beginning of your paragraphs
to mark the development of the related points.
4. Sections of a Literature Review
> INTRODUCTION
◦ The introduction to the literature review is often a single
paragraph that:
◦ > introduces the general topic and provides an appropriate scholarly or
societal context for the review.
◦ Identifies the overall state of knowledge about the topic (conflicts in theory,
methodology, evidence and conclusions; gaps in research)
5. Sections of a Literature Review
> BODY
◦ Address previous research on the topic, grouped according to theme,
theoretical perspective, methodological approach, chronological
development;
◦ Draw together the significance of previous, individual studies by
highlighting the main themes, issues and knowledge gaps.
◦ Use strong umbrella sentences at the beginning and end of each
paragraph.
◦ Include brief “so what” sentences at intermediate points in the review
to connect the literature to the proposed research objectives
◦ Described previous work you have accomplished related to the
proposed research.
6. Sections of a Literature Review
> CONCLUSION
◦ Provides a summary statement of the overall state of knowledge
about the topic, including gaps in knowledge and understanding,
reconnecting to your introduction.
◦ Reinforces the research purpose or objectives and establishes to
the potential significance or importance of your proposed
research, relative to the current state of knowledge.