This document provides guidance on how to write an academic literature review. It begins with objectives and outlines the importance of literature reviews. The main steps discussed are literature searching, reading, reviewing and writing. Tips are provided for each step, such as using keywords and databases to search, taking notes on relevant studies, and structuring a literature review with an introduction, body and conclusion. Guidelines are given for writing in an academic style, including using appropriate tenses and citation/referencing styles. Ethical issues like plagiarism and how to avoid it through citation are covered. Examples and exercises are included to help students learn.

1. How to write an Academic Literature
Dr. Min Ko Ko
M.B.,B.S, M.Med.Sc. (Public Health)
Ph.D. in Demography (Mahidol University)
Associate Professor
Health Behaviour & Communication Department
University of Public Health

2. Ground Rules for today discussion?
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6-
7-

3. Outline of Presentation
I. Objectives
II. Why is it important
III. Steps of Academic Literature Writing
 Literature Searching
 Literature Reading
 Literature Review
 Literature Writing
IV. Conclusion

4. What are the challenges of Master/Diploma
students to search and write academic
literatures?
1- ………………………………………………………
2- ………………………………………………………
3- ………………………………………………………
4- ………………………………………………………
5- ………………………………………………………
6- ………………………………………………………
7- ………………………………………………………

5. I. Objectives
1. To demonstrate/perform how to search, read, review, write
an academic literatures
2. To apply/practice in your given assignments and thesis
works in student life of UPH

6. What is Research Literature?
• ‘Research Literature’ refers to the set of publications
containing the network of theories, hypothesis, practices
and evidence representing the current state of
knowledge in a specific area of the health science.

7. II. Why is it important ?
• To prevents duplicating work that has been done before.
• To find out what others have learned and reported on the
problem you want to study, using critical evaluation
• To become more familiar with the various types of
methodology
• To provide convincing academic arguments for why your
topic or research is needed.
• To constitute the strongest foundation for initiating further
advances in theory and practice

8. Literature Searching
Literature Reading
Literature Review
Literature Writing
III. Steps of Academic Literature Writing

9. 1. Literature Searching
• It is carried out at appropriate research centers or libraries where scientific
and professional journals are stored and, of course, by using the Internet.
• Topics!
• Key Words!
• Possible sources of information!
Individuals (experts), groups, and organizations;
Published information (books, articles, online thesis, abstract
journals); and
Unpublished information (other research proposals in related
fields, reports, thesis, records, computer data bases using
Internet)

10. • National Level- Myanmar
• Experts
• Libraries
 University and other national libraries,
 WHO, UN libraries,
• Governmental organizations
-Ministry of Health & Sports (National Health Plans,
Demographic Health Survey, Clinic & Hospital based data)
• Ministry of Immigration, Population and Labour (Census
Report, Raw data for 2014 Census)
- Central Statistical Organization (CSO- Statistical
Year Book)
• Non-Governmental organizations – WHO, UN
International level
• Information from: -Websites- WHO & UN organizations,
international institutions by using Computerized
literature search
Where can we find the
different sources?
Strategies
to access!

11. Computerized Searching for health
information & research publications
• World Health Organization - http://www.who.int/en/
• Demographic & Health Surveys-
http://dhsprogram.com/publications/publication-PR78-
Preliminary-Reports-Key-Indicators-Reports.cfm
• PubMed Health- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/
• ScienceDirect-
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journals/all
• JSTOR- https://www.jstor.org/
• Others:

12. • Brain storming! (All students)
• X 10 minutes
Q: List the possible sources of information & Strategies to
access the information
Title:
– Child Mortality Situation in Myanmar
Literature Searching (cont:)

13. • Should first be skimmed or read.
 Topics!
 Key Words!
 Abstract (or) Summary
• Appropriateness of the methodology
• Important aspects of the study
• How information from the study can be used
in your assignment or research
2. Literature Reading

14. • Topics!
• Key Words!
• After Literature Reading +++++
– Summaries of the important information in each
of the references should be recorded on separate
index cards or as computer entries.
3. Literature Review
As an academician/ a researcher, you have to do check,
re-check in order to make Sure & Correct your
‘Reviewed Literatures’.
.

15. Example:
No Author,
Year
Title Study
area
Method
Wh..?
Wh..?
Wh..?
Key
Findings
Conclusion &
Recommendation
Remark
(Gap!
Important
aspects of
the study)
1
2
3
4
5
3. Literature Review (cont:)
• Brain storming! (4 Groups)
• X 20 minutes
Q: Literature review on 4 Articles
GAP!!!

16. Break! x 10 minutes

17. • Like an ‘Essay Writing’!
• 1- Well-organized!
– Mind mapping (outline)
– Don’t try to put everything in your assignment and thesis!
– Hit the Target!
• 2- Organization/structure – Linked and cohesive
– One paragraph- one information
– Linking words/connectors
• 3- Tenses
– Common usage
– Used Passive voice; instead of I, We, You
• 4- Ethical consideration
4. Literature Writing

18. 1- Well-organized (cont:)
• Ques: Rearrange these outlines!
Literature Review
Findings
Conclusion

19. Well-organized (cont:)
• Ans: outlines!
Introduction
Literature Review
Methodology
Findings
Conclusion

20. Dear Students:
Dr Min Ko Ko
Sincerely,
We look forward to welcoming you to
UPH and wish you success in your
academic career.
Specific details for enrollment of
procedures for our program are given in
the enclosed information packet.
This letter is your official authorization
to register for 2017 academic year.
On behalf of the Rector of the UPH, I
congratulate you on being accepted to
the program in MPH/MAHM/Dip HA to
begin study in this 2017 academic year.
Thank you for your interest in our
University of Public Health (UPH).
1- Well-organized (cont:)
• Ques: Rearrange these outlines!

21. Dear Students:
Dr Min Ko Ko
Sincerely,
We look forward to welcoming you to
UPH and wish you success in your
academic career.
Specific details for enrollment of
procedures for our program are given in
the enclosed information packet.
This letter is your official authorization
to register for 2017 academic year.
On behalf of the Rector of the UPH, I
congratulate you on being accepted to
the program in MPH/MAHM/Dip HA to
begin study in this 2017 academic year.
Thank you for your interest in our
University of Public Health (UPH).
1- Well-organized (cont:)
Greeting
Acknowledgment
Good News
Administrative matters-1
Administrative matters-2
Welcoming close that points to the future

22. Introductory Paragraph
Topic Paragraph
Topic Paragraph
Topic Paragraph
Conclusion Paragraph
Structure- well organized !
Linking word!
Linking word!
Linking word!
Linking word!
(aemuftydk'fpzdkU
pum;csefay;cJh&r,f)!
No: of pages
& paragraphs
depend on
your content
2- Linked & Cohesive

23. Linking
Words/
Connectors
Non-academic
Writing
(Spoken English)
Academic Writing
Similar Idea And… Moreover,
In addition,
Additionally,
So…
Then…..
Therefore,
Thus,
Hence,
Consequently,
As a
consequence,
As a result,
Opposite
Idea
But… However,
Although,
Even though,
Nevertheless,
Nonetheless,
In spite of that,
Alternative
Idea
Or In other
words,
In fact,
Put another
meaning,
Put simply,
As a matter of
fact,

24. Introductory Paragraph
(eg. Child mortality is related with social,
economic and cultural factors.
Topic Paragraph (Main Idea, with eg:)
(Social factors on child mortality)
Conclusion Paragraph
(Summarized All;
i.e. holistic conclusion )
Topic Paragraph (Main Idea, with eg:)
(Eonomic factors on child mortality)
Topic Paragraph (Main Idea, with eg:)
(Cultural factors on child mortality)
Structure- well organized !
(aemuftydk'fpzdkU pum;csefay;cJh&r,f)!
Linking word !
Linking word!
Linking word !
No: of pages
& paragraphs
depend on
your content
Linking word!
Eg: However, economic is one factor that determine on child mortality.
Academic Literature Writing

25. Past Simple- Refers to the literature when you give the date within
the sentence/ researcher activity in sentence
Eg: Min Ko Ko (2016) studied the causes of child mortality in
Myanmar that………
Eg: In 2016, Min Ko Ko studied…………………………..
3- Tenses Uses in Literature Writing
Present perfect- Refers to give past-to-present background
(Researcher activity is not include in sentence)
Eg: Several studies have examined the important role of culture
factors in child mortality.
Present simple (refers to a statement of common knowledge)
Eg: There are multifactorial causations in child mortality.

26. Don’t Use Change to ‘Passive Voice’
I/We
(eg: In this paper, I argue that
poor household status can lead
to child mortality in Myanmar.)
(eg: In this paper, it is argued
that poor household status can
lead to child mortality in
Myanmar.)
You
(eg: You can see the results in
Table.)
(eg: The results can be seen in
Table.
Contractions (eg: won’t) ….will not……
?
(eg: Many studies have examined
why has MDR-TB increased?
(eg: Many studies have examined
why MDR-TB has increased.
Passive Voice

27. 4. Ethical Consideration
Distortion of information
Playing the results of primary study
Restricting References
Using another ideas as a owner ; without quoting the author
(Plagiarism/Academic Theft)
Writing another’s ideas /statements as a owner/
Reproduced/Copy & Paste (Plagiarism/Academic Theft)
Question: Overcoming Plagiarism?
• Citation and References
• Quotation “………”
• Paraphrasing/Restatement
Checking Plagiarism?- Turnitin Software

28. Citation vs References
Citation References
Referencing within in an
assignments, project, proposal or
thesis
The reference list at the end of
an assignments, project,
proposal or thesis
Referencing the Primary
source/author of your used
information
List of all publications or
authors
1.Eg: Min Ko Ko (2016) studied the causes of child
mortality in Myanmar that………
2.In 2016, Min Ko Ko studied………………..
3.According to Min Ko Ko (2016),………………..
4.Min Ko Ko’s 2016 research study on child
mortality discussed………………..
5.Min Ko Ko (2016)
examined/stated/suggested/claimed/argued/con
cluded/proposed/demonstrated/found/identified
References
DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL RESEARCH (LOWER
MYANMAR) 2005. Lecture Guide on
Research Methodology, Myanmar,
Ministry of Health.
MIN-KO-KO & YOTHIN, S. 2014. Child mortality differentials
of selected ethnic groups in Myanmar, 1997-2007.
Journal of Health Research, 28, 373-80.
VARKEVISSER, C. M., PATHMANTHAN, L. & BROWNLEE,
A. 1991. HSR Training Series Volume 2: Part
I & II: Designing and
conducting Health System Research Project,
Geneva, The Health Science Division of the
International Development Research Center
and WHO.
Number of Citations = Number of References

29. Citation & Referencing Styles
• Many Styles
• Different Institutions have Different Citation &
Referencing Styles
– UPH- Harvard Style
• How to do!
– Manually
– Software- EndNote software

30. Citation Examples, using EndNote Software
• (Harttgen et al., 2006)

31. • HARTTGEN, KENNETH, MISSELHORN & MARK
2006. A multilevel approach to explain child
mortality and undernutrition in South Asia and
Sub-Saharan Africa. Ibero-America Institute for
Economic Research, 156, 1-38.
Referencing Examples, using EndNote Software

33. Example:
No Author,
Year
Title Study
area
Method
Wh..?
Wh..?
Wh..?
Key
Findings
Conclusion &
Recommendation
Remark
(Gap!
Important
aspects of
the study)
1
2
3
4
5
Paraphrasing
Let’s try together

34. Suggestion!!
Question: How to improve your academic
writing?
Ans: Read and Read international articles and
publications

35. Literature Searching
Literature Reading
Literature Review
Literature Writing
Conclusion
Topic
Key Words
Sources
Where, Computer search
Strategies to access
Topic
Key Words
Important aspects of the study
Topic
Key Words
Summaries of each of the
references (eg: with Table)
GAP??
Well-organized!
Linked & Cohesive
Common tenses & Passive voice
Ethics- + Plagiarism
Citation & References
Quotation
Paraphrasing

36. What you learned today?
 ___________________________
 ___________________________
 ___________________________
 ___________________________
 ___________________________
 ___________________________
 ___________________________
 ___________________________
Conclusion

37. Assignment (Individual)
1) How do you understand:
a. Plagiarism? (not more than 7 lines)
b. Citation? (not more than 7 lines)
c. Referencing? (not more than 7 lines)
2) In academic writing, there are many citation and referencing styles. Please list 5 of
them (just naming). (not more than 5 lines)
3) In 2017 academic year, University of Public Health plans to use ‘Harvard’ Citation &
Referencing Style as a standard.
a. Please give an example of Citation of Harvard style.
 For one author (not more than 4 lines)
 For two authors (not more than 4lines)
 For more than five authors (not more than 4 lines)
b. Please give examples of Referencing of Harvard style?
 For an article (not more than 4 lines)
 For a thesis (not more than 4 lines)
 For a book (not more than 4 lines)
 For a website (not more than 4 lines)
c. Please provide your internet source of ‘Harvard’ Citation & Referencing Style for
No (3.a) and (3.b). (not more than 1 line)

38. Assignment Format (UPH Format)
• Paper- A4
• Font- Times New Roman
• Font Size- 12
• Line Spacing- 1.5
• Margin:
– First Page: Left- 1.5 inches, Right- 1 inch Top- 1.5 inches,
Bottom- 1.5 inches
– Next Pages: Left- 1.5 inches, Right- 1 inch Top- 1 inches,
Bottom- 1.5 inches
• Page Number insertion: Bottom Central, Numbering 1,2,3,….
• Submit to: drminkoko.mph@gmail.com
(including Student Name & Roll Number)
• Dead Line: 16-1-2017 (09:00 am)

39. References
• DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL RESEARCH (LOWER
MYANMAR) 2013. Lecture Guide on Research
Methodology, Myanmar, Ministry of Health.
• SWALES, J. M. & FEAK, C. B. 2012. Academic Writing for
Graduate Students: Essential Tasks and Skills, United
States of America, The University of Michigan
• VARKEVISSER, C. M., PATHMANTHAN, L. & BROWNLEE, A.
1991. HSR Training Series Volume 2: Part I & II: Designing
and conducting Health System Research Project,
Geneva, The Health Science Division of the International
Development Research Center and WHO.