The document provides guidance on writing a literature review. It discusses why literature reviews are important for focusing research problems, avoiding repetition, and identifying gaps. It also outlines the phases of the literature review process, including developing a topic, searching strategies, analytical reading, organizing ideas, and writing. Key searching strategies include using databases, bibliographies, and contacting librarians. Methods for organizing ideas discussed include concept maps, review matrices, and annotated bibliographies. The document emphasizes allowing your own voice to connect studies in the written review.

1. WRITING A LITERATURE
REVIEW
Wichita State
University
March 2, 2021
- Meghann
Kuhlmann -

2. WHY?

3. Helps focus the research problem
Avoid repetition of earlier research
Place research in historical context
Identify methodological techniques used by
past researchers
Identify gaps, controversies, and avenues of
future research
WHY?

4.  Justify need for current
research project
 Build theoretical
framework for study
 Methodological
background
Lit. Review as
Introduction
 Summary of major
thinkers/debates
 Identify themes
 Offer new
interpretations
 Suggest directions for
future inquiry
Lit. Review as Article
WHAT DOES IT DO?

5. Choosing a Broad Topic
Searching Strategically
Reading Analytically
Organizing Ideas
Focusing Topic
Writing
PHASES IN THE PROCESS

6. Reviewing the literature is a great way to find
a topic!
Start general and then narrow down as you
become familiar with literature
Find balance between being open to new
ideas and staying focused
Tentative thesis statement (will change)
DEVELOPING A TOPIC, PART ONE:
UNCERTAINTY

7. How current does your information need to
be?
Is topic too narrow or too broad?
How have perspectives changed on this
topic?
SEARCHING - QUESTIONS

8.  Start with encyclopedias and dictionaries
 Use databases in your subject to find articles
 Use bibliographies to identify related works
 Use “cited by” feature to determine seminal works
and see how research has developed
 Contact your librarian!
SEARCHING - STRATEGIES

9. policy
documents
government
reports
conference
papers/
proceedings
dissertations
working
papers
practitioner
blogs
GREY LITERATURE

10. MANAGING CITATIONS
Low Tech
Citation:
Author, date, title of article, title of
journal, page #s
Keywords:
Main Ideas:

11. REVIEW MATRIX
Low Tech
Author/ Theory/ Argument Core Citations
date perspective
Study #1
Study #2
Study #3

12. REVIEW MARTIX
From “Doing a Literature Review in Health and Social Care”,
Helen Aveyard, 2010

13. CITATION MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE
Folders Articles
Citation &
Keywords

14. ANALYTICAL READING
“READING FOR...”
Arguments
Theories
Hypothesis
Questions
Style
Motives
Politics
Methodologies
Evidence
Flaws in logic
Events
Definitions
Interpretations
Justification
Conclusions
From Doing a Literature Review, Chris Hart, 1998

15. Compare/contrast major thinkers and theories
Identify trends and create new connections
Uncover areas of no research or unresolved
conflicts
READ ACROSS PAPERS

16. Concept Map
Graphic or visual
representation of
major themes,
authors, and
connections
Annotated Bibliography
Summary of each
study’s main themes
and methods and how
they relate to thesis
ORGANIZING IDEAS

17. CONCEPT MAP
Paul, J.R.M. (2014).

18. CONCEPT MAP
Machi, L., McEvay, B. (2012).

19. CONCEPT MAP
Hart, C. (1998).

20. Organization:
Thematic (most common)
Chronological
Methodology based
WRITE!

21.  Intro: Why this study is important
 Body: Present variety of studies then focus on key
studies related to your thesis
 Conclusion: Directions for future research – OR –
justification for your study
 Let your own voice be clear in the connections
between studies
WRITE!

22. Remember your audience
Get feedback!
Make an impact in your field
Present a conference poster
Publish in a student research journal
FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

23. Thank
You!
MEGHANN KUHLMANN
(316) 978-5075
MEGHANN.KUHLMANN@WICHITA.EDU

24. Works Consulted
 Hart, C. (1998). Doing a literature review. Sage
Publications Ltd.: London.
 Machi, L., & McEvoy, B. (2012). The literature review.
Sage Publications Ltd.: London.
Image Credits
 Mulder, D. Working from home. Retrieved from
https://www.flickr.com/photos/113026679@N03/15646186
494
 Paul, J.R.M. (2014). M's Primary Weblog. Retrieved
3/3/2015, form https://primaryblog.wordpress.com/
REFERENCES