This document outlines an agenda for a workshop on conducting literature reviews. It discusses the concept of a literature review, developing a research plan through identifying topics, keywords and potential sources. It provides tips for searching library catalogues and databases effectively and determining the credibility and relevance of sources. The document emphasizes that literature reviews summarize and synthesize existing scholarship rather than argue original points, and helps identify gaps for further research. Contact information is provided for librarians who can offer research assistance.

1. Conducting a Literature ReviewCIE 1001 Presented by Monique Flaccavento OISE Library March 3, 2010

2. Agenda Part I Concept of a literature review Developing a research plan (steps in the research process)

3. Agenda Part II tips and tricks for searching the UTL catalogue more effectively locating a variety of materials (books, journals, theses, government documents, etc.)

4. Agenda printing / emailing / exporting to RefWorks ILL / ICD Liaison Librarians

5. 15 Minute Break

6. Agenda Part III database selection & research guides finding e-resources: journal articles, theses and dissertations, conference papers cited reference searching (Web of Knowledge; Scopus)

7. Agenda how to determine whether a periodical is peer-reviewed time for personal research / questions

8. Objective To develop the skills you will need to conduct more thorough, systematic literature searches

9. What is a literature review? “an account of what has been published on a topic by accredited scholars and researchers” Dena Taylor, Health Sciences Writing Centre, University of Toronto http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/specific-types-of-writing/literature-review

10. What is a literature review? “A review is a required part of grant and research proposals and often a chapter in theses and dissertations.” The Writing Centre, University of Wisconsin-Madison http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/ReviewofLiterature.html

11. What is a literature review? “[It] may be a self-contained unit -- an end in itself -- or a preface to and rationale for engaging in primary research.” The Writing Centre, University of Wisconsin-Madison http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/ReviewofLiterature.html

12. What is a literature review? “a piece of discursive prose, not a list describing or summarizing one piece of literature after another” Dena Taylor, Health Sciences Writing Centre, University of Toronto http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/specific-types-of-writing/literature-review

13. What is its purpose? “Generally, the purpose of a review is to analyze critically a segment of a published body of knowledge through summary, classification, and comparison of prior research studies, reviews of literature, and theoretical articles.” The Writing Centre, University of Wisconsin-Madison http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/ReviewofLiterature.html

14. What is its purpose? The literature review helps a researcher identify gaps in a body of knowledge worthy of further research.

15. How does it differ from an essay? “the main focus of an academic research paper is to support your own argument” The Writing Centre University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/literature_review.html

16. What is its purpose? The literature review: “summarizes and evaluates existing knowledge on a particular topic. Its purpose is to produce a position on the state of that knowledge; this is the thesis” Machi, Lawrence A. & Brenda T. McEvoy. (2009). The Literature review: Six steps to success. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin, p. 2

17. How does it differ from an essay? “the focus of a literature review is to summarize and synthesize the arguments and ideas of others.” The Writing Centre University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/literature_review.html

18. The Research Process 1. Identify your topic. Formulate a clear research question. 2. Identify keywords and descriptors or subject headings. 3. Make a list of the catalogues, databases / indexes, and websites you plan to search.

19. Sample Topic Impact of immigrationpolicies in Canada on youth

20. Key Concepts and Synonyms

21. The Research Process 4. Search: library catalogues (for books, encyclopaedias, reports, journals, theses, etc.) article databases available through UTL (such as ERIC, PsycInfo, PAIS International, Source OECD); Data Library site

22. The Research Process Theses (catalogue, T-Space, Dissertations and Theses: Full-Text, AMICUS (LAC)) CIDEC R&D Database (http://cide.oise.utoronto.ca/database.php) Google Scholar Websites – Government, United Nations organizations, etc.

23. The Research Process 5. Refine, focus, or expand your topic as well as your keywords and descriptors 6. Scan the literature and critically appraise sources to determine which are the most relevant to your research. 7. Revise / refine your topic

24. Ask Questions Who is the author? Is he / she a respected and / or well-cited scholar in the field? Use a citation index such as Scopus, Web of Knowledge, or even Google Scholar to help you determine which articles are seminal works in your field.

25. Ask Questions Is the author of the website a reputable organization / individual? How current is the information? When was it last updated? Are the research methods employed sound? Is there bias in the article?

26. Ask Questions Has the article / study been published in a scholarly / academic / peer-reviewed journal? Has the book been published by a reputable publisher?

27. Tips Check your course outline for a list of well-respected CIDE journals Search Ulrich’s Periodicals Directory to determine if a journal is scholarly (“refereed”) Some databases allow you to limit your searches to peer-reviewed / scholarly articles

28. Try not to exclude articles which are contrary to your point of view.

29. Literature searches are often interdisciplinary, and should not be limited to current research on a topic.

30. Catalogue Searches http://www.library.utoronto.ca http://www.library.utoronto.ca/oise

31. Catalogue Searches VandraMasemann(author) VandraMaseman (author) woman colour immigra*; policy (within results)

32. Catalogue Searches Statistics women Harare “Economics of Education Review” (Title) “Economic of Education Review” (Title) women thesis

33. Catalogue Searches muslim and (youth or adolescent* or teen*) and canad* English aboriginals Canada immigration

34. Article Finder “Comparative and International Education: A Journey toward Equality and Equity” Stromquist, Nelly P. Harvard Eduational Review 2005, Vol. 75, Issue 1, pp. 89 --

35. Another excellent resource is: Machi, Lawrence A. & Brenda T. McEvoy. (2009). The Literature review: Six steps to success. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin. (call number 001.4 M149L). 1 copy of this book is available on short term loan at the OISE Library (Available at the Circulation Desk).

36. We’re here to help! In person: at the Reference Desk By phone: 416-978-1860 By email: askeloise@oise.utoronto.ca Via live chat: askON Or, book an in-depth reference consultation…

37. Or, book an in-depth consultation… Monique Flaccavento 416-978-1867 monique.flaccavento@utoronto.ca

38. Questions?

39. Thank you!