CLASSROOM

ACTION
RESEARCH
Mrs. Danielle Blackwood
 OBJECTIVES
Describe the role and purposes of a literature review.

Demonstrate diagrammatically the steps you would follow in developing a literature review.

Develop an outline or concept map of your literature review.

Evaluate the importance of the following in the development of a literature review: problem
formulation, literature search, data evaluation, and analysis and interpretation.

Compose and prepare a well structured, properly cited literature review.

 WHAT IS A LITERATURE REVIEW?

“A literature review is a survey of scholarly sources

that provides an overview of a particular topic.
Literature reviews are a collection of the most relevant
and significant publications regarding that topic in
order to provide a comprehensive look at what has
been said on the topic and by whom” (Ashford Writing
Center, 2019).
 WHAT IS A LITERATURE REVIEW?

• A survey of the existing materials (electronic, databases,

printed text, and other expert sources) dealing with a
research topic/subtopics.
• It highlights important subthemes.
• Assesses what is known and what remains to be answered
with respect to the research question.
• Describes different positions taken by different writers.
• A synthesis of material into a coherent paper which can
stand on its own.
 THE LITERATURE REVIEW

• Literature reviews synthesize large amounts of

information and present it in a coherent, organized
fashion.
• Synthesis comes from the Greek word suntithenai -- to
put together and occurs when two or more things are
combined to create something new.
• Thus, you will be combining material from several texts to
create a new text – your literature review.
 To find out
what info
already exists
Identify gaps on your topic
Identify
in the
methods and
literature
designs you
could use

Provide the
Identify
intellectual
Purposes of a major
context for your
research literature seminal
review works

Identify Increase your

sources that knowledge of
Put your
you do not the topic
work in
know about
perspective
 BENEFITS OF THE LITERATURE REVIEW

1. It will increase your confidence in your topic if you find that others have
an interest in this topic and have invested time, effort, and resource in
studying it.
2. It can provide you with new ideas and approaches that may not have
occurred to you.
3. It can inform you about other researchers conducting work in this area –
individuals whom you may wish to contact for advice or feedback.
4. It can show how others have handled methodological and design issues in
studies similar to your own. (Leedy & Ormrod, 2001, p. 70)
 BENEFITS OF THE LITERATURE REVIEW

5. It can reveal sources of data that you may not have known existed.
6. It can introduce you to measurement tools that other researchers
have developed and used effectively.
7. It can reveal methods of dealing with problem situations that may
be similar to difficulties you are facing.
8. It can help you interpret and make sense of your findings and
ultimately, help you tie your results to the work of those who have
preceded you.(Leedy & Ormrod, 2001, p. 70)
CHARACTERISTICS OF A LITERATURE REVIEW
Written in essay format.

Located towards the beginning of your paper project.

More than an annotated bibliography.

Not a report that summarizes articles and books one by one in sequence.

A cohesive account of arguments in the project area.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A LITERATURE REVIEW
Is comprehensive – important works must be covered.

The information is logically organized.

Data from each source are related to the topic being studied.

All sources mentioned are accurately cited.

Can stand on its own - like an essay but without a thesis.

 TYPES OF LITERATURE REVIEW

• Narrative (traditional review) - Summarizes and

critiques pivotal studies and draws conclusions
about the topic - literature not representative.
• Conceptual Review - groups articles according to
concepts, or categories, or themes. It identifies
the current 'understanding' of the given research
topic.
 TYPES OF LITERATURE REVIEW

• Theoretical Review - helps establish what theories

already exist, the relationships between them.
• Integrative Review - reviews, critiques, and
synthesizes representative literature (all studies that
address related or identical hypotheses) on the topic
in an integrated way to generate new frameworks
and perspectives on the topic.
 The
Literature
Review
Process
 FINDING SOURCES

• Many different sources are available but all may not

be useful. Avoid being buried in information; use
reputable sources.
• Sources must be evaluated/assessed.
• Two major questions:
• Is the work relevant?
• Is the work reliable?
 SYNTHESIS & INTEGRATION OF
SOURCES

To synthesize (integrate) is to pull together

information from different sources into a new whole.
Three ways to do this:

1. Summarize – condense the argument into fewer

words
2. Paraphrase – recast the original in different
words.
 SYNTHESIS & INTEGRATION OF
SOURCES

To synthesize (integrate) is to pull together information from

different sources into a new whole. Three ways to do this:

3. Quote – include the author’s exact words

• Always copy the material carefully including spelling,
punctuation, and capitalization.
• Always introduce quotes – do not just stick them in your paper
without acknowledgement (dropped quotes).
• Page numbers are essential for direct quotes.
• Use the correct documentation style (APA 7th edition).
 USE A GRID TO ORGANIZE
YOUR NOTES
Source 1 Source 2 Source 3

Main point

Main point

Main point
 WRITING THE LITERATURE REVIEW

Develop an outline
• A plan that shows the order of the various topics, the
relative importance of each, and the relationship between
the various parts.
• Two common types: (1) topic outline and (2) sentence
outline. Other informal methods can also be used.
• Begin with the RQ, hypothesis or purpose statement.
• Outlining saves time in the end!
 STRUCTURING YOUR LITERATURE REVIEW:
FACTORS AFFECTING CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH

Psychological
factors
 CONCEPT MAPPING

Visual and graphic

representations of
information showing
small units of
information and the
relationship between
these units

Maizam Alias & Zurinah Suradi, 2008

http://cmc.ihmc.us/cmc2008papers/cmc2008-p048.pdf
 See a sample of Task 2 in the
Lesson Resources – Week 5
folder on Moodle.
LITERATURE
REVIEW
OUTLINE
 WRITING THE LITERATURE REVIEW

Style features:
• Use topic sentences
• Use signal phrases & transitions – do not stack
paragraphs
• No dropped quotes
 WRITING THE LITERATURE REVIEW

Intellectual demands:
• Lots of summary, paraphrase, and quotation
• 30% of the literature review is your material
• 70% is summary/paraphrase/quotation from sources
• Acknowledgment of sources
• Avoid plagiarism (literary theft) by citing all sources
in- text and at the end in the reference list
 THE INTRODUCTION

What this section of the

paper is about?

Begin the literature What will it cover? –

review with an scope main issues and
introductory paragraph or questions that it will
which tells the reader: address.

Make sure to list the

How the review ties in
subtopics in the order
with your own research
they will appear in the
topic.
report.
 THE INTRODUCTION

In writing the introduction:

• include a clear statement of the topic and its
parameters.
• make reference to the central theme or
organizational pattern.
• indicate why the research area is important,
interesting, problematic or relevant.
 Sample Introductory Paragraph

https://www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/lsu/content/2_assessmenttasks/assess_tuts/lit_review_LL/writing.html
 THE THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

• What is the theory/theories guiding the research study.

• Is the foundation for your hypothesis or problem
statement or question?
• Refers to established relationships that have been shown
to exist among the concepts in your study.
• Can include up to three theories which are closely related
to your research topic.
 THE THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

• For example: Piaget’s theory of cognitive development;

Glasser’s control theory of motivation, Bandura’s social learning
theory.
• Depending on your study one theory may be sufficient but
sometimes two or three theories may be used to form a
theoretical framework.

Further reading:
https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/theoreticalframework
 THE MAIN BODY

The body contains your discussion of the sources found:

• Should be fairly broad and in-depth showing a comprehensive search of

the problem area.
• Should present referenced facts and evidence from previous studies.
• Should include differing opinions - do not ignore opinions that differ from
the main body of literature.
• Use subheadings to gain and focus the reader’s attention.
• Should convince your reader with logic and evidence, not your opinions.
 ORGANIZING YOUR SOURCES

Consider the following:

• Chronological – according to time period when the research
was done.
• Trends – present changes in your topic over time.
• Thematic – around a topic, theme or issue.
• Methodological – how the research was conducted - in other
words, methods used by the researchers.
 REMEMBER TO LINK THE IDEAS

Remember that you are reporting the literature so use the right words. For
example:
• To introduce a contrast:
In contrast, in spite of, although, however
• To add an idea:
In addition, furthermore, moreover, another
reason/aspect/example]
• To make a tentative statement:
Studies suggest that, perhaps, it would seem that
 WHY USE HEADINGS?

Headings are an important feature of professional

writing. Headings:
• alert readers to upcoming topics and subtopics,
• help readers find their way around in long reports
and skip what they are not interested in, and
• break up long stretches of straight text.
 WHY USE HEADINGS?

• Use headings to mark off the boundaries of the

major sections and subsections of a report.
• Use the same spacing (vertical and horizontal
location), capitalization, punctuation, and
underlining.
• Make the phrasing of headings parallel.
 STRATEGIES FOR EFFECTIVE HEADINGS

• Make the phrasing of headings self-explanatory: instead of

"Background," make it more specific, such as “Turnover
Statistics at Store #37."
• Make headings indicate the range of topic coverage in the
section. For example, if the section covers the design and
operation of a training strategy, the heading “Designing a
Training Strategy" would be incomplete and misleading.
• Avoid "stacked" headings -- any two consecutive headings
without intervening text.
 STRATEGIES FOR EFFECTIVE HEADINGS

• Avoid pronoun reference to headings. For example, after a

third-level heading “Employee Training," don't begin the
sentence following it with something like this: "This is an
important principle....."
• When possible, omit articles from the beginning of headings.
For example, "The Major Types of Shoplifting Deterrents"
can easily be changed to "Major Types of Shoplifting
Deterrents" or, better yet, "Shoplifting Deterrents."
 Organizational Structure/Dynamics

Many authors agree that the way in

which an organization is set up
Topic structurally can either facilitate or hinder
its use of teams and teamwork. For
example, according to Butman (1993) and
sentences Baskerville (1993), a traditional
organization, where lower-level
introduce employees are treated as mindless
workers who have no valid input, may
sections have a much more difficult time
implementing a team structure as
compared to an organization where front-
line employee input is valued. Another
study (Allcorn, 2002) indicates that teams
must be organized in ways that show the
employer values all employees…
 PARALLELISM

Parallelism refers to the way that items in a series

are worded.
• Use the same style of wording in a series of
items--it makes it easier on the reader.
• Keep the sections as balanced as possible –
one section should not have only one
paragraph while others are pages long.
 WRITING STRATEGIES

• Do not ignore those studies that go against your hypothesis;

choose only the most relevant and important studies.
• Arrange by:
• Topic
• Problem and solution
• Cause and effect
• Argument and counter-argument
• Group studies according to variable, or research methods.
 WRITING STRATEGIES

• Don't use headings as lead-ins to lists or as figure titles.

• Avoid "widowed" headings: that's where a heading occurs at
the bottom of a page and the text it introduces starts at the
top of the next page.
• Keep at least two lines of body text with the heading or
force it to start the new page.
• Avoid ‘dropped quotes’ – quotations without lead ins or
introductions.
 • According to Arthur Levine (1994), “Student
commitment to service is low. For most
undergraduates, their volunteer activities are
separate and unrelated to their coursework and
college life, so service tends to be marginal to
their everyday world.” “The former President
Stacking Clinton signed into law an act establishing the
Corporation for National and Community Service.
of The purpose of the new organization is to
develop service opportunities for Americans of
Quotes all ages and backgrounds and to harness their
efforts toward solving the nation’s most urgent
social problems such as: education, human
services, public safety, and the environment.”
(This is also an example of a dropped quote.)

Source: http://www.iupui.edu/~cyber231/classresources/bib_lit/index.htm
 WRITING STRATEGIES

• Use attributive phrases. Many ways to attribute. Example:

According to…, In the view of…, Brown posits that…etc.
• Synthesize the positions taken, showing relationships
among them.
• Use transitional words and phrases, connectives, which
show the connection between the ideas and relationships
among the sources.
 According to The Denver Post (2002),
volunteerism has been on the decline since
the late 1990s (p. 1). The article “Beyond the
Party Image” (1998), says not enough people
volunteer versus the need for volunteers (p.
B7). Winbush and Cooper stated, “They are
more likely to volunteer when they believe an
No organization is well-managed and will use their
time wisely” (p. 13). According to Arthur
Transitions or Levine (1994), “Student commitment to
service is low. Their volunteer activities are
separate and unrelated their coursework and
Relationships college life, so service tends to be marginal to
their everyday world.” Finn, Chester, and
Vanourek (1995) said, “The increasing appeal
of service learning appears to have arisen from
the belief that preparing the next generation
for citizenship is a vital mission of any
democratic society (p. 46).
 LENGTH OF LITERATURE REVIEW

• Depends on the length of your project and your

subject - some bodies of literature are larger than
others.
• A good literature review must be comprehensive –
important to include works that are considered
important by many people in your field.
• Should have the right amount of breadth – not too
broad or too narrow.
 CONCLUSION

To end the literature review section briefly present

conclusions drawn about the literature on your topic.
• Overall, how would you describe the literature on
your topic?
• Summarize the main conclusions from the
research done.
• Identify any observed gaps – What research is
needed? How will your research fill the gap?
 Overall, the literature on teams
presents many important factors
to consider when creating teams.
Most authors agree that training
is essential in areas such as
Sample communication and feedback,
Conclusion mutual accountability, and goal
setting. Supervisors can
contribute experience and
guidance to the teams as they are
formed and begin engaging in
group dynamics.
 MISTAKES TO AVOID

• List what each source says, one by one.

• Offer an argument about which solution is best.

• Present your opinion about issues - just focus on what the

literature says, not what you think about what the literature
says.

• Suggest solutions to the organizational problem.

 GENERAL GUIDELINES

• Present your own discussion with paraphrases and

short quotations if necessary.
• End each section with a brief summary or a closing
sentence that wraps up the section and/or serves as
a transition to the next section.
• Relate each piece of research to the broader research
question, and individual pieces to each other.
 DOCUMENTING SOURCES

• A literature review discusses other people’s work and so

must be clearly referenced.
• Whether you use a direct quote, paraphrase or summary of
someone else’s material you must acknowledge the source.
This is a requirement of academic research.
• Avoid plagiarism - using other people’s words or ideas and
presenting them as your own – ‘kidnapping’ of other
people’s work.
 DOCUMENTING SOURCES

All works used must be acknowledged

• This applies to online sources such as websites and charts, maps, poems,
audio and video clips etc.

Importance?
• To give credit where it is due
• To inform readers where they can locate your source
• To establish validity of evidence
Two ways to do this:
• Parenthetical citation (in-text citation)
• Reference list
 REFERENCES

• Include only the sources that you cited in the literature

review.
• Delete any sources you did not cite in your literature review.
• Make sure the in-text citations match up with the entries on
the references page.
• Make sure that entries are accurately written following the
APA guidelines (7th edition).
• Keep track of your sources as you go along.
 REFERENCES

Ashford Writing Center. (2019). Writing a Literature Review. Ashford University.

https://writingcenter.ashford.edu/writing-literature-review

Bosch, B. (2017, November). Literature Review Group Exercise for Undergraduates. Digital
Commons @ University of Nebraska - Lincoln.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/sociologyfacpub/505/

Leedy, P. D., & Ormrod, J. E. (2001). Practical Research: Planning and Design. Pearson.

USC Libraries. (2020). Research Guides: Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper:
Theoretical Framework. University of Southern California.
https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/theoreticalframework
Videos

Literature
Review Outline

Sample Literature Reviews