Review of Literature
The Review of Literature:
Finding Your Way Out of the Literature Fog
Chris Deason, EdD
Director of Instructional Development
Academic Coaching & Writing
academiccoachingandwriting.org
Review of Literature
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
Review of Literature
Are You Lost in the Fog of the Literature?
Cannot find articles that have meaning?
Reading articles and getting nowhere?
Uncertain of how to pull everything together?
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
Review of Literature
You will learn strategies for researching and
writing an effective literature review:
•  What is a literature review.
•  How to find relevant research.
•  How to organize and synthesize research.
•  How to demonstrate the expected writing style.
•  How to know when you have read enough.
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
Review of Literature
What Is a Literature Review
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
What Is a Literature Review?
What Is a Literature Review?
A literature review is an in-depth, critical analysis, and synthesis of
peer-reviewed literature related to the problem, purpose, theory
frame, and research question(s) of your study.
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
What Is a Literature Review?
The Literature Review Is Like a Funnel
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
Review of Literature
How to Find Relevant Research
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
How to Find Relevant Research
Finding Relevant Research
Identify a research problem.
Brainstorm search terms.
Narrow a broad topic or broaden a narrow topic.
Identify suitable databases.
Be efficient in reviewing reference materials.
Maintain a log of searches.!
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
How to Find Relevant Research
Identify a Research Problem: What Is Your Interest?
Human Resources
Training Programs
Effectiveness
of In-House
Training
Programs
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
How to Find Relevant Research
Identify a Research Problem
Ex: Gap in knowledge about the effectiveness of training programs
delivered through the in-house television station at
Home Depot Corporation.
What are possible search terms for an initial review
of the literature?
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
How to Find Relevant Research
Brainstorm Search Terms
Definition of effectiveness
Definition of training programs
Effectiveness of training programs, no matter the medium
Use of in-house television stations by organizations
Use of in-house television stations by organizations to
deliver training programs
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
How to Find Relevant Research
Narrow a Broad Topic or Broaden a Narrow Topic!
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
How to Find Relevant Research
Purpose Statement and Primary Research Question A Quantitative Study
The purpose of the study is to investigate the effectiveness of training programs
delivered through the in-house television station at Home Depot Corporation.
Primary Research Question: How effective on measures of new product sales
and store safety compliance are Home Depot stores that participate in training
programs delivered through the in-house television station compared with
stores that participate in traditional face-to-face training programs?
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
How to Find Relevant Research
Purpose Statement and Primary Research Question A Qualitative Study
The purpose of the study is to investigate employee perceptions of the
effectiveness of training programs delivered through the in-house television
station at Home Depot.
Primary Research Question: What are employee perceptions of the
effectiveness of participation in training programs delivered through the inhouse television station at Home Depot?
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
How to Find Relevant Research
Identify Suitable Databases
Start with familiar databases.
Find familiar journals and their databases.
Be aware of the types of sources you need (e.g., primary sources,
secondary sources, websites, and the like).
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
How to Find Relevant Research
Be Efficient When Reviewing Reference Materials Read the article abstract.
Review the table of contents.
Read final sections (e.g., suggested future research topics).
Use the references list.
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
How to Find Relevant Research
Maintain a Log of Your Searches
Literature Review Research Log
Date
Search Terms
Databases
Notes
!
•  Date of search
•  Search terms used
•  Databases used
•  Pertinent search results
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
How to Find Relevant Research
Set Up Google Alerts
•  Keywords
•  Key researchers
https://www.google.com/alerts
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
How to Find Relevant Research
Hints for Locating Relevant Research
Use terms from your problem, purpose, and research question(s).
Use work cited lists from other studies.
Use Google Scholar, Bing, and Wikipedia to broaden search.
Look through your own papers and projects.
Look through your comp exams.
Look through textbooks to generate names and concepts.
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
How to Find Relevant Research
Words of Advice
Spend time with a reference librarian to refine your search skills.
Allow enough time to prepare your literature review.
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
Review of Literature
How to Organize and Synthesize Research
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
How to Organize and Synthesize
How to Organize Your References
Endnote vs. Zotero
http://chronicle.com/blogs/profhacker/zotero-vs-endnote/33157
Mendeley
http://www.mendeley.com/
RefWorks
https://www.refworks.com/refworks2/
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
How to Organize and Synthesize
Write an Effective Literature Review Organize the issues related to your topic into categories
and concepts.
Analyze the differences and similarities of these issues.
Evaluate the merits of the different issues.
Identify areas of controversy in the literature.
Synthesize what is known and unknown about your topic.
Make clear the direction for future research on your topic.
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
How to Organize and Synthesize
Bloom’s Taxonomy of Learning
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
How to Organize and Synthesize
Organize and Synthesize Your Content By:
Time period
Author
Theme
Topic or variable
Methodology
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
How to Organize and Synthesize
Use a Synthesis Matrix
Identify 6-12 studies closely related to your study.
Record author, year, and title.
Review and record the study purpose, research questions, design,
sample, and major findings.
Answer the following questions:
•  How does each study relate to your own study?
•  How is each study similar to other research studies?
•  How is each study unique?
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
How to Organize and Synthesize
Example of a Qualitative Matrix
Primary Research Question: What are employee perceptions of the effectiveness of participation
in training programs delivered through the in-house television station at Home Depot?
Studies of Perceptions of Effectiveness of Store Training Programs Using In-House Television and Face-to-Face
Training
Author(s)
(Year) Title
Purpose
Qualitative
design
Sampling
and
setting
Findings
Themes
Relationship to current study,
similarities to other studies,
uniqueness of study
!
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
How to Organize and Synthesize
Example of a Quantitative Matrix
Primary Research Question: How effective on measures of new product sales and store safety
compliance are Home Depot stores that participate in training programs delivered through the
in-house television station compared with stores that participate in traditional face-to-face
training programs?
Studies of the Effectiveness of Store Training Programs Using In-House Television and Face-to-Face Training
Author(s)
(Year) Title
Purpose
Variables
Quantitative
Design
Sampling
and setting
Findings
Relationship to current study,
similarities to other studies,
uniqueness of study
!
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
Review of Literature
How to Demonstrate the Expected Writing Style
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
How to Demonstrate Expected Writing Style
Bloom’s Taxonomy of Learning
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
How to Demonstrate Expected Writing Style
Lower-Order Thinking Skills
Knowledge
Comprehension
Application
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
How to Demonstrate Expected Writing Style
The Writing Style of the Narrative
Demonstrates lower-order thinking skills:
•  Describing
•  Cataloguing
•  Listing
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
How to Demonstrate Expected Writing Style
Lower-Order Thinking and Writing Style
Examples of Summaries of Studies:
Smith and Jones (2011) identified…
Bailey and Wynn (2012) found…
Wynn (2012) concluded…
Hoover and Diamond (2013) reported…
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
How to Demonstrate Expected Writing Style
Higher-Order Thinking and Writing Style
Analysis: breaking down ideas into components.
Synthesis: assembling components into a unique solution.
Evaluation: drawing conclusions based on internal evidence or
some criteria.
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
How to Demonstrate Expected Writing Style
Example: Higher-Order Thinking and Writing Style
Upon investigation, three
themes emerged from the body of identified
research that investigated the reasons …. First, Smith and Jones (2011)
identified …… Second, Bailey and Wynn (2012) found that. Third,
Wynn’s case study (2012) concluded that……. In contrast, Hoover and
Diamond’s (2013) results challenged that conclusion by saying …… This
conflict in the recent literature could lead to a rationale for
more research into …….
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
How to Demonstrate Expected Writing Style
No Matter the Writing Style:
Write well.
Thoroughly proofread.
Document through citation.
Use the specific formatting required (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago)
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
Review of Literature
How to Know When You Have Read Enough
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
When Have Your Read Enough?
When Is Enough, Enough?
The same names repeat themselves.
The seminal names are included.
The same results repeat themselves.
The inclusive dates are covered.
The types of research settings are covered.
The types of research methods are covered.
The committee says it is enough.
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
Review of Literature
Summary: The Literature Review
•  Thoroughly addresses your problem, purpose, research
question(s), theory frame, and method. •  Positions your own research into the body of knowledge.
•  Adds validity to your own study through the works and
words of others.
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
Review of Literature
Action Steps
•  Use strategic search strategies to identify relevant literature.
•  Develop an organizational structure for your literature review.
•  Create a matrix to help you organize and synthesize related
research.
•  Adopt a writing style that relies on higher-order thinking skills
(i.e., analysis, synthesis, and evaluation).
•  Determine when you have found enough sources.
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
Review of Literature
A Dissertation Coach Can Help You
•  Develop search strategies to identify relevant literature.
•  Develop an organizational structure for your literature review.
•  Set up a matrix to organize and synthesize related research.
•  Adopt a writing style that uses higher-order thinking skills
(analysis, synthesis, and evaluation).
•  Determine when you have found enough sources.
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
Review of Literature
Request a Free 30-Minute Consultation
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
Review of Literature
Find out about Other ACW Webinars
http://www.academiccoachingandwriting.org/dissertationdoctor/events/
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
Review of Literature
Questions?
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545
Review of Literature
Thank You!
Academic Coaching & Writing LLC | academiccoachingandwriting.org | p 760.635.1545