Writing the Literature Review

Lydia Lunning, Editor

Walden University

Housekeeping Issues

Questions

Recording: http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/26.htm

Objectives

Literature Review: Definition

Literature reviews by program

Literature review: Resources

Literature Review: Purpose

Literature Review: Goals

Literature review: Process

Locating literature

Locating literature: Common errors

Reading literature

Organizing ideas: Literature review matrixMicrosoft Word, Excel

Writing the literature review: Synthesis

Synthesis

Organize by theme rather than by source:

Sample Headings for the Table of ContentsReview of Relevant Literature (in a study of how managers in a for-profit organization can encourage community among coworkers using “the Mountbatton approach”)

Synthesis: Common errors

Common errors: Citation Salad

Author X (2010) argued that the cost of public transportation in the Midwest affected student participation in after school activities. Author Y (2012) reported that 60% of high school students in the United States relied on school buses to get home. According to Author Z (2009), in a study of after school program attendance most of the participants (74%) received rides home from parents or friends . . .

How to fix it:Multiple studies indicated a strong link between transportation

availability and student engagement in extracurricular activities. Author X (2010) argued that the cost of public transportation in the Midwest affected student participation in after school activities, which was similar to findings in studies across the country. Author Y (2012) reported that 60% of high school students in the United States relied on school buses to get home, meaning that the majority of students had no alternative means of getting home if they decided to stay after regular school hours. According to Author Z (2009), in a study of after school program attendance most of the participants (74%) received rides home from parents or friends. In addition to transportation availability, researchers have noted a strong correlation between student participation in extracurricular activities and parental involvement . . .

Common errors: “Plop” quotations

Many educators and community members alike have expressed frustration about the lack of financial support for arts education. “The arts and its related businesses are responsible for billions of dollars in cultural exports for this country” (Segars, 2010, para. 4). The ABC (2012) reported that orchestra and band programs in the Pacific Northwest saw their budgets cut by over 50% in the past 5 years despite documented benefits to students and the community . . .

How to fix it:

Many educators and community members alike have expressed frustration about the lack of financial support for arts education. In a prepared statement at a Congressional hearing on arts funding, Segars (2010) stated that “the arts and its related businesses are responsible for billions of dollars in cultural exports for this country” (para. 4), so it would be in the government’s best interest to strengthen arts education rather that allowing the funding to continue to diminish. The ABC (2012) reported that orchestra and band programs in the Pacific Northwest saw their budgets cut by over 50% in the past 5 years despite documented benefits to students and the community . . .

Writing the literature review: Content

Content: Show the tip of the iceberg . . .

What you write

What you read

Writing the literature review: Tips

Literature review: Process (reminder)

Moving ahead