The Literature Review : Six Steps to Success

“In order to go fast, you must go slow.” ⤴️
“Literature Review—A written document that develops a case to establish a thesis. This case is based on a comprehensive understanding of the current knowledge of the topic. A literature review synthesizes current knowledge pertaining to the research question.” ⤴️
“critically regu- lates, assesses, and corrects the personal knowledge, skills, and tasks used” ⤴️
”• Thesis Statement—A declarative sentence that expresses a conclusion based on a case developed using existing knowledge, sound evidence, and reasoned argument.” ⤴️
“Topic—A research area refined by interest, an academic discipline, and an understanding of relevant key works and core concepts.” ⤴️
““Some people do not have the patience and foresight to do it right the first time, but have infinite patience and capacity to do it over, and over, and over again.”” ⤴️
“t you do not need to reinvent the literature review process. Trial and error isn’t the only approach. T” ⤴️
“procedure, disposition, and reflection.” ⤴️
“the personal dispositions necessary to complete a project of this scope and the reflection process used to manage and evaluate the quality and accuracy of the work.” ⤴️
““Am I trying to present a position, a thesis, that defines the current state of knowledge about a topic, or am I using the cur- rent knowledge about a topic as the basis for arguing a thesis that defines a research problem for further study?”” ⤴️
“The simple literature review (Figure I.1) documents, analyzes, and draws conclusions about what is known about a particular topic. Its purpose is to produce a position on the state of that knowledge; this is the thesis statement.” ⤴️
Research Interest identifies Research Topic which specifies and frames a Literature Review which discovers and advocates a Thesis
“an evidence-based analysis of the present understanding of the topic.” ⤴️
“The Complex Literature Review” ⤴️
Research Thesis defines further research with a Research Question which determines the nature and scope of a Research Project
“The complex literature review (Figure I.2) has a different purpose and additional demands. It not only presents the current state of knowl- edge about a topic (the darkened four boxes of Figure I.2) but must also argue how this knowledge reasonably leads to a problem or to a question requiring original research.” ⤴️
“The conclusions drawn not only define the research question but also frame the appropriate methods to be used for conducting the research.” ⤴️
“use the complex literature review as the basis for providing the background statements and the argument for the research study.” ⤴️
“to write Chapter 1 (Introduction) and Chapter 2 (Review of the Literature)” ⤴️
“A literature review is a written argument that supports a thesis position by building a case from credible evidence obtained from previous research. It provides the context and the background about the current knowledge of the topic and lays out a logical case to defend the conclusions it draws.” ⤴️
“the subject of the inquiry must be recognized. It must be clearly defined and described.” ⤴️
“data are cataloged and organized in such a fashion that some sense can be made of them. The data can then be interpreted and analyzed to build the evidence or reasons to form conclusions. The conclusions formed present the logical case for answering the question first inquired about. Finally, the argument is examined; the researcher looks for holes in the reasoning and weighs the conclusions drawn against competing alternatives.” ⤴️
“The Literature Review Is a Critical-Thinking Process” ⤴️
“Refining the terms used, accu- rately framing the focus of the interest, and selecting the appropriate academic knowledge base” ⤴️
“The journal is an ideal place to establish an internal dialogue where reflection on your learning can be “wrestled with” and understood.” ⤴️
“A credible case is not simply reporting about a collection of information or presenting your opinion about the topic.” ⤴️
“conclusions resulting from a logical presentation of supporting evidence.” ⤴️
“The first argument builds the findings of the case. The second argument forms the case’s conclusions. The result is a well-argued thesis. Both arguments are based on sound reasoning and logical construction.” ⤴️
“winnowing the research information to only the data that provide the strongest evidence to support the thesis case.” ⤴️
“skimming, scanning, and mapping the data.” ⤴️
“The literature survey assembles, organizes, and analyzes the data on the current knowledge about the topic. The data are logically arranged as evi- dence to produce a set of defensible findings about what is known concerning the topic.” ⤴️
“Critique the Literature—Draw Conclusions” ⤴️
“The critique analyzes how current knowledge answers the research question.” ⤴️
“Writing the review produces a document that communicates the results of the project.” ⤴️
“a work that accurately conveys to an intended audience the results of the research” ⤴️
“examining the mental attitude and stance necessary to complete a project.” ⤴️
“the procedure for doing a literature review is an application of a critical-thinking process. Critical thinking, however, is not just a recipe for thinking, it is also a specific mindset—a particular mental and emotional state.” ⤴️
“t. Critical thinkers hold themselves accountable for their biases, viewpoints, and the conclusions taken. They continually examine and reflect on the veracity of their positions, weighing them against new facts and ideas. They suspend judgment until all facts have been gathered and considered. They can adjust and reject their opinions and positions when new facts become known.” ⤴️
“approach the research with an open mind, considering and learning from divergent viewpoints. They strive to maintain objectivity and guard against having any predetermined conclusions. The critical thinker is open to seeing all results of an inquiry and weighing the value of each piece of evidence and each position taken. When taking a position, this thinker maintains flexibility in considering alternatives. The critical thinker reflects continually.” ⤴️
“Do not take data out of context. Researchers may not manipulate data to defend a preferred outcome. This is not just a matter of fabricating data. It also includes extending their value.” ⤴️
“Present only what you believe to be factual. Do not use fallacious arguments to prove a case. •• Present all sides of the question. Do not be tempted to strengthen a case by omitting divergent evidence. You are searching for the truth, not enforcing a personal opinion.” ⤴️
“Self-regulation can be described as considering the quality of the thinking you use when doing the work. This oversight process self- assesses and self-corrects.” ⤴️
“The analytical reasoning used to verify the results produced •• The correct application of procedures and processes selected to conduct the task •• The extent to which one’s thinking is influenced by deficiencies in knowledge, by stereotypes, prejudices, emotions, or any factors that constrain objectivity and rationality •• The extent to which one’s dispositions influence the creation of an unbiased, fair-minded, thorough, and objective interpretation” ⤴️
the largest internally limiting factor is that i know which areas I’ll struggle with and be drawn towards and that I’ll abandon research directions that take me down paths I’m unmotivated to follow even if they may be fruitful or useful to others. Maybe just keep good track of these so others can pick up where i leave off?
“The more we reflect on our actions, the more we become proficient at what we do.” ⤴️
“Doing a literature review well demands a commitment of focused time and effort, which will probably require a fundamental reorganization of daily life.” ⤴️
i already have to be so careful with how i determine activities due to lack of energy for all the projects I’m interested in, but executive dysfunction is hugely preventative, so any extra demands to restructure are somewhat of an insult
“organize a workspace free from distractions.” ⤴️
also not always practically possible, we do our best, a lot of what I’ve had to do in my degree is find ways to work through distraction and in strange environments
“Reference works on research methods and writing skills can also be useful.” ⤴️
“create an overall project plan and timeline.” ⤴️
tricky when I’m still not entirely sure of my goals and methods
“estimate the number of hours” ⤴️
impossible to judge my energy
“Subdivide the plan by benchmarks that will serve as intermediate goals for the research. These benchmarks can be time or task driven.” ⤴️
“daily work on the project is advantageous.” ⤴️
“Select a topic that is important to you. A subject of true concern or curiosity will produce better work than a topic chosen for expediency.” ⤴️
“Writing starts now. Write out the topic. Include in this earliest writing what you already know, or think you know, about the topic. This writing will be the beginning of the project journal.” ⤴️