This document provides guidelines for writing a review article, including the typical elements and structure. It discusses the purpose and audience of review articles and describes the most common types. The guidelines explain each section of a review article in detail, from the title to the references. Examples of high-quality review articles are also provided from plant science journals to illustrate best practices. The 18-step process for preparing a thorough review article is outlined as well.
The literature review is not merely a simple compilation or a list of every item and resource with any possible relation to your topic. A good literature review is a critical appraisal of narrowly focused, selected and truly relevant work that provides the current status (perspective) of the topic. This presentation basically is a brief guide on the process of doing and writing a literature review for a thesis, research proposal, research paper, etc.
Scientific writing is not just writing about science; it is the technical writing that scientists do to communicate their research to others. Scientific writing is predicated on the rigors of scientific inquiry, so it must reflect the same precision as that demanded in the research process.
The literature review is not merely a simple compilation or a list of every item and resource with any possible relation to your topic. A good literature review is a critical appraisal of narrowly focused, selected and truly relevant work that provides the current status (perspective) of the topic. This presentation basically is a brief guide on the process of doing and writing a literature review for a thesis, research proposal, research paper, etc.
Scientific writing is not just writing about science; it is the technical writing that scientists do to communicate their research to others. Scientific writing is predicated on the rigors of scientific inquiry, so it must reflect the same precision as that demanded in the research process.
An attempt to highlight the most common needs for writing a research article, this include the structure of research articles and the highly important parts needed to publish in a high level indexed journals (Clarivate ISI & Scopus).
Scientific Writing should be fun. It is not for only science students but also for all the person who are associated with education or literature or any type of writing. For students also it is useful for paper writing. Dr. Daxaben N. Mehta
This presentation is to assist students and graduates in conducting an academic literature review, with step by step help, including some tips for academic reading and writing.
Research is the systematic and objective analysis and recording of controlled observations that may lead to the development of generalizations, principles, or theories, resulting in prediction and possible control of events .
An abstract is important because it shows the readers if this piece of writing will serve to fulfill their purpose of studying the subject. The quality of the abstract decides whether any reader will go further with the paper or not. Thus, the main goal of any writer would be to make the abstract useful for the readers
Reference Link: https://myassignmenthelp.com/blog/how-to-write-an-abstract/
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An attempt to highlight the most common needs for writing a research article, this include the structure of research articles and the highly important parts needed to publish in a high level indexed journals (Clarivate ISI & Scopus).
Scientific Writing should be fun. It is not for only science students but also for all the person who are associated with education or literature or any type of writing. For students also it is useful for paper writing. Dr. Daxaben N. Mehta
This presentation is to assist students and graduates in conducting an academic literature review, with step by step help, including some tips for academic reading and writing.
Research is the systematic and objective analysis and recording of controlled observations that may lead to the development of generalizations, principles, or theories, resulting in prediction and possible control of events .
An abstract is important because it shows the readers if this piece of writing will serve to fulfill their purpose of studying the subject. The quality of the abstract decides whether any reader will go further with the paper or not. Thus, the main goal of any writer would be to make the abstract useful for the readers
Reference Link: https://myassignmenthelp.com/blog/how-to-write-an-abstract/
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Email id:
contact@myassignmenthelp.com
Foreign direct investment in india an analytical studyDipti Patil
Foreign Direct Investment inflows in India seen rising 15 per cent in 2013 and observed to be grown steadily in volume and is a major source of development finance. Foreign Direct Investment is one and only major instrument of attracting International Economic Integration in any economy. It serves as a link between investment and saving. Recognizing that FDI can contribute to economic development, all governments want to attract it. This project examines the different forms of capital, the global and regional trends in FDI inflows, factors influencing FDI in India, and experiences in India, comparative study with global market. The policy implications of the determinants of FDI flows are analyzed.
FDI is an important factor in the globalization process as it intensifies the interaction between states, regions, and firms. Growing international flows of portfolio and direct investment, international trade, information and migration are all parts of this process. The large incentive in the volume of FDI during the past two decades provides a strong incentive for research on this phenomenon.
Chapter Two:
Review of the Literature
*
Chapter Outline
Review of the Literature
The Research Topic
The Literature Review
The Use of the Literature
Design Techniques
Steps in Conducting a Literature Review Searching Computerized Databases
A Priority for Selecting Literature Material
A Literature Map of the Research
Abstracting Studies
Example 2.1. Literature Review Abstract in a Quantitative Study
Example 2.2. Literature Review Abstract in a Study Advancing a Typology
Style Manuals
The Definition of Terms
Example 2.3. Terms Defined in an Independent Variables Section
Example 2.4. Terms Defined in a Mixed Methods Dissertation
A Quantitative or Mixed Methods Literature Review
*
The Research Topic
A critical first step in any research is examining the existing body of knowledge on the research topic/idea, and it will assist the Researcher with all of the following:The subject or subject matter of a proposed studyDescribe in a few wordsThe central idea you want to learn aboutThe topic can be researched ifYou have access to participantsYou have resources to collect and analyze informationThe topic should be researched ifThe research will add to the literature about the topicScholars will be interested in the topicA study of it will advance your personal goals
The Literature ReviewShares the results of other studiesRelates the study to the larger dialogue in the literatureProvides a framework for establishing the importance of the studyProvides a benchmark for comparing the results to other findings
The Use of Literature
The use and length of the literature varies based on the forum: research proposal, dissertation or journal article. Despite this, the literature may:provide a summary of major studies on the research problemdemonstrate the writers knowledge of the topic/problem/issueintegrate what others have done and said about the topic/problem/issuemay criticize previous scholarly works on the topic/problem/issuemay allow for connections between related topicsmay elucidate the central issues in the field
Using Literature in a Qualitative Study
The Use of Literature in a Quantitative Study
In quantitative studies the literature is used deductively as it provides a framework for the research questions and hypothesisProvide direction to the research questions and hypothesesIntroduce a problemIntroduce and describe the theory that will be used Examine the usefulness of the theoryCompare results with existing literature or predictions
The Use of Literature in a Mixed Methods Study
In mixed methods studies Researchers use the literature:in either a quantitative or qualitative approachin a manner consistent with either quantitative or qualitative approachrelative to the intended audience
Irrespective of the type of study, choose one of the following types of literature reviews:
Integrative
Critical
Building bridges among topics
Identification of central issues
Steps in Con ...
Introduction to research and its different aspectsbarsharoy19
This slide introduces the basic aspects of a research paper. It gives a brief description on impact factor, citation index and different categories of research paper
1
RSCH 600 Research Proposal writing
RESEARCH PROPOSAL - PART 1: INTRODUCTION, REVIEW OF LITERATURE, PROBLEM STATEMENT,
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
Due at the end of week 7 (Sunday February 28, 2021 at midnight)
You need to conduct some research related to your own interests or to serve the interests of some organization
(employer/client/sponsor). Before you start writing a formal proposal, you (or your employer/client/sponsor) would like to
gather some information about the problem as well as understand its importance.
Choose your research topic thoughtfully and submit the topic of your research proposal for approval the latest by the end of
Week 3 (Sunday January 31, 2021 at midnight). You can find the submission box in Week 3.
This part of your research proposal should be roughly 7-9 pages (excluding cover page, references and annex) and written
in paragraphs, report format. All citations and references for this course are to be done in the APA style.
HERE ARE THE KEY PARTS OF THIS PART OF THE PROPOSAL (PART 1):
Title of your research
Make it intriguing – (BUT LESS THAN 120 CHARACTERS)
Introduction/Background
Provide a brief description of what the proposed research topic is about, why is it important and how you came to be
interested in it.
Literature Review
The purpose of this assignment is to develop skills in finding and analyzing valid literary resources for your research.
The review should be written in an integral / synthetic style, and NOT as an annotated bibliography.
Please note: Use in-text citations to reference all ideas, concepts, text, and data that are not your own. If you make a
statement, back it up with a reference!
• Research a minimum of 15 relevant business-related literature sources (focus on material available in digital
format only for this course). Carefully choose your 15 "keepers" that are clearly related to your study. (Note: you
might need to find 30 to “keep” only 15).
• Identify major common themes encountered in the selected literature sources. For each theme, create its own
subsection within the literature review.
• For each theme / subsection of the literature review, explain the opinions of the authors and show their
similarities, differences, methods of acquisition of data, methods of data analysis and other pertinent information.
State how the reviewed research results relate to your proposed study.
• Identify the gaps in the literature and explain what needs to be done to move forward in your research.
Statement of the Problem
Detail the problem that you are considering. Explain:
• How are you defining and delimiting the specific area of the research?
• What is the gap that will be addressed by this research?
• What it is that you hope to learn by conducting this research?
• Discuss the anticipated outcomes and benefits to the researcher, the organization, or society.
Research Questions
Provide focused ...
1 RSCH 600 Research Proposal writing RESEAAbbyWhyte974
1
RSCH 600 Research Proposal writing
RESEARCH PROPOSAL - PART 1: INTRODUCTION, REVIEW OF LITERATURE, PROBLEM STATEMENT,
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
Due at the end of week 7 (Sunday February 28, 2021 at midnight)
You need to conduct some research related to your own interests or to serve the interests of some organization
(employer/client/sponsor). Before you start writing a formal proposal, you (or your employer/client/sponsor) would like to
gather some information about the problem as well as understand its importance.
Choose your research topic thoughtfully and submit the topic of your research proposal for approval the latest by the end of
Week 3 (Sunday January 31, 2021 at midnight). You can find the submission box in Week 3.
This part of your research proposal should be roughly 7-9 pages (excluding cover page, references and annex) and written
in paragraphs, report format. All citations and references for this course are to be done in the APA style.
HERE ARE THE KEY PARTS OF THIS PART OF THE PROPOSAL (PART 1):
Title of your research
Make it intriguing – (BUT LESS THAN 120 CHARACTERS)
Introduction/Background
Provide a brief description of what the proposed research topic is about, why is it important and how you came to be
interested in it.
Literature Review
The purpose of this assignment is to develop skills in finding and analyzing valid literary resources for your research.
The review should be written in an integral / synthetic style, and NOT as an annotated bibliography.
Please note: Use in-text citations to reference all ideas, concepts, text, and data that are not your own. If you make a
statement, back it up with a reference!
• Research a minimum of 15 relevant business-related literature sources (focus on material available in digital
format only for this course). Carefully choose your 15 "keepers" that are clearly related to your study. (Note: you
might need to find 30 to “keep” only 15).
• Identify major common themes encountered in the selected literature sources. For each theme, create its own
subsection within the literature review.
• For each theme / subsection of the literature review, explain the opinions of the authors and show their
similarities, differences, methods of acquisition of data, methods of data analysis and other pertinent information.
State how the reviewed research results relate to your proposed study.
• Identify the gaps in the literature and explain what needs to be done to move forward in your research.
Statement of the Problem
Detail the problem that you are considering. Explain:
• How are you defining and delimiting the specific area of the research?
• What is the gap that will be addressed by this research?
• What it is that you hope to learn by conducting this research?
• Discuss the anticipated outcomes and benefits to the researcher, the organization, or society.
Research Questions
Provide focused ...
This is lesson 4 of the course on Research Methodology conducted at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities of the Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
Literature Review- Dr Ryan Thomas WilliamsRyan Williams
A review of the previous experiments and investigations done within our chosen topic area.
Shows how your chosen topic fits with the research that has gone before and puts this into context.
‘A researcher cannot perform significant research without first understanding the literature in the field’ (Boote and Beile, 2005: 3)
BUSI 610Literature Review Title Page and Outline Rubric(50 P.docxfelicidaddinwoodie
BUSI 610
Literature Review
Title Page and Outline Rubric
(50 Points)
Criteria
Levels of Achievement
Content
70%
Advanced
Proficient
Developing
Not present
Title Page and Outline: Content
32 to 35 points
The title page and outline are present. The title page contains the required components. The outline is well developed and includes headings and subheadings. The framework of the Literature review is apparent and well established. It includes all the required components as follows:
· Title page
· Abstract
· Introduction
· Findings
· Conclusions, recommendations, and suggestions for further study
· References
29 to 31 points
The title page and outline are present. Most of the components of the title page and outline are present. The outline contains headings and some subheadings. The framework of the Literature review can be seen but work is required.
1 to 28 points
The title page or outline are not complete. Many components are not present for the title page and/or the outline. The framework of the Literature Review is not apparent.
0 points
Not present
Structure 30%
Advanced
Proficient
Developing
Not present
Title Page and Outline: Grammar and Spelling, APA formatting
(30%)
14 to 15 points
Spelling and grammar are correct. The assignment includes an outline that was per the APA format (Alphanumeric, Full sentence, or decimal). The entries are properly formatted. A cover sheet (title page) is present that is formatted per APA.
13 points
Spelling and grammar has some errors. Some APA formatting issues are present. A cover sheet (title page) is present that is formatted per APA.
1 to 12 points
Spelling and grammar errors distract. The annotations are poorly formed. APA formatting is not used. There is not a cover sheet (title page) present or it is not formatted per APA
0 points
Not present
BUSI 610
Literature Review Instructions
What Is a Literature Review?
A literature review is a survey and a discussion of the literature in a given area of study. It is a concise overview of what has been studied, argued, and established about a topic; it is generally organized chronologically or thematically. A literature review is also written in essay format.
A literature review is not an annotated bibliography because it groups related works together and discusses trends and developments rather than focusing on one item at a time. It is also not a summary; rather, a literature review evaluates previous and current research in regards to how relevant and/or useful it is and how it relates to your own research. Therefore, a literature review is more than an annotated bibliography or a summary because you are organizing and presenting your sources in terms of their overall relationship to your problem statement.
A literature review is written to highlight specific arguments and ideas in a field of study. By highlighting these arguments, the writer attempts to show what has been studied in the field and also where there are weaknesses, ga.
TOPIC MEDIAS INFLUENCE ON BODY IMAGEPART 1Assigcurranalmeta
>>>TOPIC:
MEDIA'S INFLUENCE ON BODY IMAGE<<<
PART 1:
Assignment 3: Final Project Annotated Bibliography
Craft a research question on the topic you selected in your first discussion question post. Then locate at least five articles from peer-reviewed journals that pertain to your question that will be used to write the introduction section of your research proposal.
Submit these five citations in the form of an APA-style reference page. Under each citation, write one paragraph summarizing the main points of the article. As you read your articles, keep the following questions at hand; these will help you generate the information about each article.
· What were the topic/research questions being investigated?
· How was the study conducted (participants, materials, procedure, etc.)?
· What did the results reveal?
· How might these methodological considerations affect the research findings and the conclusions drawn from them?
· How does this article fit in with your paper? How did it influence your own ideas about your paper?
Based on your reading of the literature, what do you expect to find?
Include a hypothesis and a title page for your submission.
Submit your paper to the
Submissions Area
by the due date assigned
. All written assignments and responses should follow APA rules for attributing sources.
Assignment 3 Grading Criteria
Maximum Points
Created a research question based on a research topic approved by the instructor and submitted a testable hypothesis.
15
Submitted citations in the form of an APA-style reference page for five articles and included a paragraph summarizing each article and discussing its relevance.
40
Ensured that all the articles are from peer-reviewed journals.
20
Submitted a title page for the submission.
5
Wrote in a clear, concise, and organized manner; demonstrated ethical scholarship in accurate representation and attribution of sources; displayed accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
20
Total:
100
PART 2:
Instructions
Based on the feedback you received on your submission from last week, submit a revised draft of your paper with this additional information:
1. Five additional references that could be used for your research paper and include a 1-2 sentence description for each of the five additional references, explaining how they fit with the research topic and the research question proposed. Make sure that these references come from scholarly sources using Argosy's library resources.
2. A very detailed
outline
of what you would like to cover in the intro/lit review of your paper. Write it as an outline and think about what you want each paragraph or section to cover. Paste your references into each section where the information from that article applies to the topic. Below is an example of the outline although the references have not been pasted in yet:
a. Introduction or Statement of the Problem (e.g. Predictors of Depression ...
Operation “Blue Star” is the only event in the history of Independent India where the state went into war with its own people. Even after about 40 years it is not clear if it was culmination of states anger over people of the region, a political game of power or start of dictatorial chapter in the democratic setup.
The people of Punjab felt alienated from main stream due to denial of their just demands during a long democratic struggle since independence. As it happen all over the word, it led to militant struggle with great loss of lives of military, police and civilian personnel. Killing of Indira Gandhi and massacre of innocent Sikhs in Delhi and other India cities was also associated with this movement.
Safalta Digital marketing institute in Noida, provide complete applications that encompass a huge range of virtual advertising and marketing additives, which includes search engine optimization, virtual communication advertising, pay-per-click on marketing, content material advertising, internet analytics, and greater. These university courses are designed for students who possess a comprehensive understanding of virtual marketing strategies and attributes.Safalta Digital Marketing Institute in Noida is a first choice for young individuals or students who are looking to start their careers in the field of digital advertising. The institute gives specialized courses designed and certification.
for beginners, providing thorough training in areas such as SEO, digital communication marketing, and PPC training in Noida. After finishing the program, students receive the certifications recognised by top different universitie, setting a strong foundation for a successful career in digital marketing.
The French Revolution, which began in 1789, was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France. It marked the decline of absolute monarchies, the rise of secular and democratic republics, and the eventual rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. This revolutionary period is crucial in understanding the transition from feudalism to modernity in Europe.
For more information, visit-www.vavaclasses.com
How to Make a Field invisible in Odoo 17Celine George
It is possible to hide or invisible some fields in odoo. Commonly using “invisible” attribute in the field definition to invisible the fields. This slide will show how to make a field invisible in odoo 17.
Read| The latest issue of The Challenger is here! We are thrilled to announce that our school paper has qualified for the NATIONAL SCHOOLS PRESS CONFERENCE (NSPC) 2024. Thank you for your unwavering support and trust. Dive into the stories that made us stand out!
Embracing GenAI - A Strategic ImperativePeter Windle
Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies such as Generative AI, Image Generators and Large Language Models have had a dramatic impact on teaching, learning and assessment over the past 18 months. The most immediate threat AI posed was to Academic Integrity with Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) focusing their efforts on combating the use of GenAI in assessment. Guidelines were developed for staff and students, policies put in place too. Innovative educators have forged paths in the use of Generative AI for teaching, learning and assessments leading to pockets of transformation springing up across HEIs, often with little or no top-down guidance, support or direction.
This Gasta posits a strategic approach to integrating AI into HEIs to prepare staff, students and the curriculum for an evolving world and workplace. We will highlight the advantages of working with these technologies beyond the realm of teaching, learning and assessment by considering prompt engineering skills, industry impact, curriculum changes, and the need for staff upskilling. In contrast, not engaging strategically with Generative AI poses risks, including falling behind peers, missed opportunities and failing to ensure our graduates remain employable. The rapid evolution of AI technologies necessitates a proactive and strategic approach if we are to remain relevant.
Francesca Gottschalk - How can education support child empowerment.pptxEduSkills OECD
Francesca Gottschalk from the OECD’s Centre for Educational Research and Innovation presents at the Ask an Expert Webinar: How can education support child empowerment?
Biological screening of herbal drugs: Introduction and Need for
Phyto-Pharmacological Screening, New Strategies for evaluating
Natural Products, In vitro evaluation techniques for Antioxidants, Antimicrobial and Anticancer drugs. In vivo evaluation techniques
for Anti-inflammatory, Antiulcer, Anticancer, Wound healing, Antidiabetic, Hepatoprotective, Cardio protective, Diuretics and
Antifertility, Toxicity studies as per OECD guidelines
Home assignment II on Spectroscopy 2024 Answers.pdf
Guidelines review article
1. 1
This resource was written 2009 by: Philip Mayer, Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center
(http://www.plantscience.ethz.ch/education/Masters/courses/Scientific_Writing)
Guidelines for writing a Review Article
A) Good to know about review articles
B) Elements of a review article
C) Guidelines for preparing a review article in 18 steps
D) Examples of high-quality review articles in the plant sciences (to be used in
your own work)
E) References used in this Guideline
A) Good to know about review articles
What is a review article?
• A critical, constructive analysis of the literature in a specific field through summary,
classification, analysis, comparison.
• A scientific text relying on previously published literature or data. New data from the
author’s experiments are not presented (with exceptions: some reviews contain new
data).
• A stand-alone publication. Literature reviews as integral parts of master theses, doctoral
theses or grant proposals will not be considered here. However, many tips in this
guideline are transferable to these text types.
What is the function of a review article?
• to organize literature
• to evaluate literature
• to identify patterns and trends in the literature
• to synthesize literature
• to identify research gaps and recommend new research areas
Who is the audience of review articles?
• experts in specific research areas
• students or novice researchers
• decision-makers
Review articles targeted at the last two groups: Extended explanations of subjects or of
subject-specific language are mandatory (e.g. through the uses of information boxes or
glossaries).
Which types of review articles exist?
Types by methodological approach
• Narrative review
Selected studies are compared and summarized on the basis of the author’s experience,
existing theories and models. Results are based on a qualitative rather than a
quantitative level.
• Best evidence review
A focus on selected studies is combined with systematic methods of study-selection and
result exploration.
• Systematic review
Findings from various individual studies are analyzed statistically by strict procedures.
Meta-Analyses are used to pool the results of individual studies.
2. 2
Types by objective (Noguchi 2006)
• Status quo review
Presentation of the most current research for a given topic or field of research.
• History review
Development of a field of research over time.
• Issue review
Investigation of an issue (i.e. a point of disagreement or a question) in a specific field of
research.
• Theory/model review
Introduction of a new theory or model in a specific field of research.
Types by mandate
• Invited reviews: experienced researchers are invited
• Commissioned reviews: formal contracts of authors with clients
• Unsolicited submissions: researchers develop an idea for a review and submit it to
journal editors
How long is a review article?
Review articles vary considerably in length. Narrative reviews may range between 8,000 and
40,000 words (references and everything else included). Systematic reviews are usually
shorter with less than 10,000 words.
B) Elements of a review article
Title
Function Helping readers to decide whether they should read the text or not.
Includes terms for indexing (e.g. in data bases).
Elements The title must be informative:
• The title has to include important terms.
• It has to indicate that the text is a review article.
• It may include the message of the article, not just its
coverage (Gustavii 2003).
The title must be short:
• Keep the title concise.
• A longer subtitle may be an option in case a specification is
necessary.
Tense In a title with results indicated: the present tense stresses the
general validity of the results and illustrates what the author is
trying to achieve with the article; the past tense indicates that
results are not established knowledge yet.
Citations None
Length between eight to 12 words (Davis 2005)
Question The title should only be a question if this question remains
unanswered at the time of writing.
3. 3
List of authors
Function Declare intellectual ownership of the work,
provide contact information
Elements 1) Decision on authorship:
• Every person that contributed significantly to the literature
search, literature exploration and/or writing process.
2) Order of authors:
• The first author has done most of the research and written
major parts of the article.
• Authors between first and last author have contributed in
one way or the other to the success of the project. They
may be ordered alphabetically (indicating equality) or in a
sequence of decreasing involvement.
• The last author usually coordinated the project and had the
original idea.
IMPORTANT: Discuss authorship as early as possible!
Abstract
Function Informs about the main objectives and result of the review article
(informative abstract) or indicates the text structure (descriptive
abstract).
Descriptive abstract - for narrative reviews
Elements Description of subjects covered without specific details. A
descriptive abstract is like a table of contents in paragraph form.
Tense present
Informative abstract - for systematic and best evidence reviews
Elements 1) Objectives: One or two sentences describe the context and
intention of the review.
2) Material and methods: One or a few sentences provide a
general picture of the methodological approach.
3) Results: A few sentences describe main outcomes.
4) Conclusions: One or two sentences present the conclusion
(which is linked to the objectives).
Tense objectives: present
material and methods, results: past
conclusions: present
Citations usually none
Length usually 200 to 250 words
Table of Contents
4. 4
Function Shows the readers the organisation of the text. Helps orientation
among sections.
Note Some review journals print an outline/table of contents at the
beginning of the article, others do not. In general, these are
recommended for extensive narrative reviews.
Introduction
Function Provides information about the context, indicates the motivation for
the review, defines the focus, the research question and explains
the text structure.
Elements Elements of a three paragraph introduction (after Anonymous
2003).
1) Subject background. The general topic, issue, or area of
concern is given to illustrate the context.
2) “Problem”. Trends, new perspectives, gaps, conflicts, or a
single problem is indicated.
3) Motivation/justification. The author’s reason for reviewing the
literature, the approach and the organisation of the text are
described.
Tense present (use past tense for the description of your methods and
your results)
Citations many
Length Between 10% and 20% of the core text (introduction, body,
conclusions).
Note Make sure to have a narrow focus and an explicit research
question. Indicate these two points clearly in the introduction.
Give theoretical or practical justifications for the need for a review.
Body: Material and Methods
Function Systematic and best evidence reviews have a methods section.
This section enables motivated researches to repeat the review.
Narrative reviews do not have a methods section but should
include some information about applied methods at the end of the
introduction.
Elements The material and methods section contains for example
information about: data sources (e.g. bibliographic databases),
search terms and search strategies, selection criteria
(inclusion/exclusion of studies), the number of studies screened
and the number of studies included, statistical methods of meta-
analysis.
5. 5
Tense past
Citations few (e.g. to statistical analyses or software used)
Length Approx. 5% of the core text (introduction, body, conclusions).
Note Make sure that data sources are clearly identified. Precision has
first priority in the material and methods section.
Body: Main Part of the Review Article
Section structure A coherent structuring of the topic is necessary to develop the
section structure (Bem 1995). Subheadings reflect the organisation
of the topic and indicate the content of the various sections.
Possible criteria for structuring the topic are:
• methodological approaches
• models or theories
• extent of support for a given thesis
• studies that agree with another versus studies that disagree
• chronological order
• geographical location
Paragraph structure • Cover one idea, aspect or topic per paragraph.
• Avoid referring to only one study per paragraph; consider
several studies per paragraph instead.
Links • Frequently link the discussed research findings to the research
question stated in the introduction. These links create the a
thread of coherence in your review article.
• Link the studies to one another. Compare and discuss these
relationships.
Tense According to Ridley (2008) three tenses are frequently used:
• Present: reporting what another author thinks, believes, writes,
reporting current knowledge or information of general validity,
e.g. It is believed…
• Simple past: referring to what a specific researcher did or
found, referring to a single study, e.g. They found…
• Present perfect: referring to an area of research with a number
of independent researchers involved, e.g. They have found…
6. 6
Citations Citations are usually indirect but in some cases pointed and
relevant remarks might be cited directly.
• Non-integral references (indirect): The author’s name, or a
number referring to the reference list, appears in brackets.
Non-integral references emphasize the idea, result, theory etc.
rather than the person behind it (Ridley 2008). Most references
in biology are non-integral.
• Integral references (direct): The author’s name has a
grammatical function in the text. As Ridley (2008) points out
this type is appropriate to emphasize the contribution of a
specific author.
Length 70 to 90% of the core text (introduction, body, conclusions).
Note Make sure to organise the different pieces of information into a line
of argument. An appropriate organisation of information is all-
important for the quality of a review (Day & Gastel 2006).
Throughout it is important that the idea/topic (paragraph 3 of the
Introduction) drives the article and not the literature used; write an
idea-driven, rather than literature-driven article!
Conclusions
Function Answer the research question set in the introduction.
Elements • implications of the findings
• interpretations by the authors (kept separate from factual
information)
• identification of unresolved questions
Tense present: summarising and drawing conclusions
present perfect: referring to an area of research or a body of
literature
Citations few or none
Length 5 to 10% of the core text (introduction, body, conclusions).
Note Make sure to have a clear take home message that integrates the
points discussed in the review. Make sure your conclusions are not
simply a repeat of the abstract!
Acknowledgements
Function • Expresses gratitude to people who helped with the literature
search, the structuring of the material or in the writing process
(but whose contribution is too small to justify co-authorship).
• Expresses gratitude to funding organisation and specifies the
funding program (often required by funding agencies).
7. 7
Elements • Full names of people and their specific contributions to the
project are given.
• The name of the funding agency and program as well as the
grant number and the person to whom it was awarded are
mentioned.
Tense present (past tense when referring to funding agencies in
terminated projects)
Citations none
References
Function • Shows interested readers how to find the literature
mentioned in the text.
• Acknowledges the work of other scientists.
• Compulsory to avoid charges of plagiarism
Elements Include every reference cited in the text. Do not include additional
references. Avoid internet sources. If internet sources must be
used, find the original source for the internet reference, check it
has been correctly cited and cite it directly.
Length A range between 50-100 references is in most cases appropriate.
Note • For narrative reviews the inclusion of all relevant, high-
quality studies is the target.
• Systematic and best evidence reviews need explicit criteria
for the inclusion/exclusion of studies from which they got
the data.
Illustrations: Concept Maps
Function Concept maps are used in review articles to visualize the
structuring of the topic, to show the relationships between studies,
concepts, models or theories.
Organisation of data Boxes with terms or names are arranged in a two-dimensional
space. Arrows are used to link boxes. Specifications of the
relationship are written on the arrows.
Legend The legend describes the concept map’s content. It is specific and
informative (it should be possible to understand the map without
reading the full text).
Note Concept maps are very useful to display complex relationships.
Boxes Often provided to explain terms/concepts for those who are
interested in certain issues more in depth.
Glossary Often provided to explain terms particular to a subject area so that
as broad an audience as possible may be reached.
8. 8
If you want to include
tables or figures in
your review article…
…see Guidelines for writing a Research Article
C) Preparing a review article in 18 steps
stage step
prepare 1. narrow the topic, define a few research questions or
hypotheses
2. search for literature sources, refine topic and research
questions during the search*
3. read, evaluate, classify and make notes
4. redefine the focus and the research questions, define the
take-home message
5. compose a preliminary title
develop structure 6. find a structuring principle for the article (e.g. chronological,
subject matter, experimental procedure)
7. prepare an outline, find headings for the sections in the text
body
8. plan the content of each paragraph in the different sections
9. prepare tables, concept maps, figures
write draft 10. draft the methods section (if needed)
11. draft the body sections
12. draft the conclusions
13. draft the introduction
14. draft the abstract
revise 15. revise drafts of different sections, abstract & title, tables,
figures & legends
16. revise citations and references
17. correct grammar, spelling, punctuation
18. adjust the layout
*
In systematic and best evidence reviews additional points have to be defined and considered in the
preparation stage:
• selection of databases, published data and other resources, search strategy
• criteria for inclusion and exclusion of studies (comparability of methods is an important point here)
• statistical procedures for the analysis of studies (meta-analysis)
• treatment of qualitative research presented in the review
All these points have to be described in the material and methods section. In addition, a detailed
review protocol is required by some contracting bodies.
IMPORTANT: For all types of review articles: Make sure to ask competent persons for
feedback in the stages “prepare”, “develop structure”, and “revise”.
D) Examples of high-quality review articles in the plant sciences
High impact review journals in the plant sciences
9. 9
Annual Review of Plant Biology
Current Opinion in Plant Biology
New Phytologist: “Tansley review” series (commissioned, paid)
Trends in Ecology and Evolution
Trends in Plant Science
Nature Reviews Genetics*
Nature Reviews Microbiology*
Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology*
Sample review articles
Narrative review: Kessler A. & I. T. Baldwin (2002). Plant responses to insect herbivory: The
emerging molecular analysis. Annual Review of Plant Biology 53: 299 – 328.
The structure includes:
• Title – in this case does not indicate that it is a review article.
• Abstract – includes a description of subjects covered.
• Table of Contents – shows the reader the organization of the text (overview)
• Introduction includes a description of context (paragraph 1 – 3), motivation for review
(paragraph 4, sentence 1) and defines the focus (paragraph 4, sentences 2 – 3)
• Body – structured by headings and subheadings
• Conclusion – states the implications of the findings and an identifies possible new
research fields
• References (“Literature Review”) – organised by number in the order they were cited
in the text.
Systematic review: Ashmann T-L. & C. J. Majetic (2006). Genetic constraints on floral evolution: a
review and evaluation of patterns. Heredity 96: 343 – 352.
The structure includes:
• Title – informs us it is a review
• Informative Abstract – informs us this is a meta-analysis (novel analysis in a novel
context of previously published data)
• Introduction
• Body – Material & Methods, Results (including the use of tables and figures to display
novel findings), Discussion
• Conclusion – a listing of novel findings of the meta-analysis
• References – organised alphabetically
This is structured like a research article (see Guidelines for writing a Research Article)
*
Not specific to plant sciences but none the less important media in this field.
E) References
Anonymous (2003): Tips for conducting a literature review. Centre AlphaPlus. Available on
http://alphaplus.ca/pdfs/litrev.pdf; accessed 12 November 2008.
Bem, D.J. (1995): Writing a review article for Psychological Bulletin. Psychological Bulletin
118 (2): 172-177.
Day, R.A., Gastel, B. (2006): How to write and publish a scientific paper. Sixth edition.
Greenwood Press, Westport.
10. 10
Noguchi, J. (2006): The science review article – An opportune genre in the construction of
science. Linguistic Insights Volume 17. Peter Lang, Bern.
Ridley, D. (2008): The literature review – a step-by-step guide for students. Sage
Publications, London.