Writing the Literature Review

Summary

This video provides a comprehensive guide to writing a literature review. It explains the key elements, such as referencing related research, making connections between sources, and positioning oneself in the research field. The video emphasizes the importance of both descriptive and interpretive writing and highlights techniques for organizing notes and crafting a critical narrative. Additionally, it offers advice on evaluating sources, using strong language to move from description to critique, and synthesizing ideas to create a well-structured literature review.

Takeaways

• 📚 A literature review involves extensive reference to related research, connecting source texts, and positioning your own research in relation to others.
• 🧐 Evaluating sources involves considering the authorship, expertise, academic standing, and the peer-reviewed nature of journal articles.
• 🤔 Critical questions to ask when reading include who the researchers are, the relevance and applicability of their findings, and any potential biases.
• 📅 Organizing notes can be done chronologically, by author perspectives, methods, or most commonly by topic or theme.
• ✍️ Writing a literature review requires both descriptive (what the research says) and interpretive (what the research means) components.
• ⚠️ Avoid a 'shopping list' style by moving beyond reporting to analyzing and interpreting the significance of research findings.
• 💡 Use language that shifts from descriptive to interpretive, such as 'this was significant' or 'this shows that,' to emphasize critical analysis.
• 🔍 Critiquing research involves pointing out both limitations (deficit critique) and strengths (strength-based critique) of the studies reviewed.
• 📝 Layer your critique by offering solutions or alternative approaches, and recognizing pivotal or groundbreaking research.
• ✅ A good literature review interprets, connects ideas, and critiques while maintaining a clear narrative and the writer's voice.

Q & A

What is the definition of a literature review?

A literature review is an extensive reference to related research in your field, where connections are made between source texts, and the author positions themselves in relation to the works they have read.

Why are journal articles often preferred in an academic literature review?

Journal articles are preferred because they are peer-reviewed, written by experts, and reviewed by their academic peers, ensuring a high standard of credibility.

What are some critical questions you should ask when reading sources for a literature review?

Some critical questions include: Who are the researchers? What is their reputation? Do the findings support the research? Are there any biases? Is the source applicable and relevant to your work?

What are common ways to organize notes for a literature review?

Notes can be organized chronologically, by the perspectives or positions of different authors, by methods used in research, or most commonly, thematically or topically, depending on the research question.

What are the two key components of writing a literature review?

The two key components are descriptive (reporting what the authors found and did) and interpretive (analyzing, synthesizing, and offering critical insight into the findings).

Why is it important to move from descriptive to interpretive writing in a literature review?

Moving from descriptive to interpretive writing is important to avoid a 'shopping list' style of writing. It enables the writer to analyze, interpret, and critique the findings, adding depth to the review.

What language can help shift from descriptive to interpretive writing?

Phrases like 'This shows that,' 'This is important because,' and 'This suggests that' help move writing from mere description to interpretation and give the writer a stronger voice.

What are the layers of a critical paragraph in a literature review?

A critical paragraph often contains three layers: description (what the author found), critique (pointing out limitations or strengths), and offering solutions or interpretations (proposing improvements or highlighting significance).

What is the difference between deficit critique and strengths-based critique?

Deficit critique points out limitations or gaps in the research, while strengths-based critique highlights significant achievements, milestones, or detailed, groundbreaking findings.

What should you check when reviewing your literature review writing?

You should check if you have interpreted and critiqued the sources, stayed on topic, used your own voice, and connected ideas to form a cohesive narrative thread.