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The Literature Review
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The Literature Review
A Step-by-Step Guide for Students

Second Edition
Additional resources:


July 2012 | 232 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd

This Second Edition of Diana Ridley's bestselling guide to the literature review provides a step-by-step guide to conducting a literature search and literature review, and guides the reader in how to write up a literature review as part of a PhD thesis or Masters dissertation.

Ridley outlines practical strategies for reading and note taking, and guides the reader on how to conduct a systematic search of the available literature, and uses cases and examples throughout to demonstrate best practice in writing and presenting the review.

New to this edition are examples drawn from a wide range of disciplines, a new chapter on conducting a systematic review, increased coverage of issues of evaluating quality and conducting reviews using online sources and online literature and enhanced guidance in dealing with copyright and permissions issues.

This book also comes with a companion website containing a wide range of examples of successful literature reviews from a wide range of academic disciplines.


 
Introduction
What Is A Literature Review?

 
The Literature Review At Different Degree Levels

 
Why Is It Important To Undertake A Literature Review As Part Of Your Research?

 
Where Do We Find The Literature Review In A Dissertation Or Thesis?

 
Structuring Your Literature Review

 
Task 1.1 Choosing A Literature Review Approach

 
Summary

 
Overview

 
 
The Multiple Purposes of a Literature Review
The Multiple Purposes

 
Historical Background

 
Contemporary Context

 
Theoretical Underpinnings

 
Definitions And Discussion Of Terminology Used In The Research

 
Signalling A Gap In Previous Research And Using This To Justify Your Own

 
The Significance Of A Problem For Research

 
Task 2.1 Reflecting On Your Own Research

 
Summary

 
 
Sources of Information and Conducting Searches
What Is A Literature Search?

 
What Are The Purposes Of A Literature Search?

 
Sources Of Information

 
Evaluating Online Sources Of Information

 
Different Types Of Research

 
Tools For Finding Relevant Sources

 
The Process Of Conducting A Literature Search

 
The Use Of Key Words And Boolean Logic

 
Keeping Up To Date: RSS Feeds And Email Alerts

 
Social Bookmarking

 
Task 3.1 Tracking And Recording Your Search

 
Summary

 
 
Reading and Note-Taking Strategies
Techniques For Reading Efficiently

 
Increasing Your Reading Speed

 
Reasons For Note Taking

 
Techniques For Note Taking

 
Three Main Formats for Note Taking

 
Your Own Comments

 
Handwritten Notes VS Computer Notes

 
Making Connections Between Different Texts: Using Key Words

 
Making Connections Between Different Texts: A Tabular Comparison

 
Techniques For Writing A Summary

 
Task 4.1 Applying The Principles To Your Field

 
Summary

 
 
Reference Management: Keeping Records and Organising Information
Managing The Process

 
A Record of Key Word Searches

 
A Record of Bibliographic Details

 
A Personal Library

 
Copyright Legislation

 
Bibliographical Software Packages

 
Task 5.1 Record Keeping For Your Own Research

 
Summary

 
 
Structuring the Literature Review
The Processes Involved In The Creation Of A Literature Review

 
Beginning To Write

 
The Structure Of The Literature Review

 
Developing The Structure Of Your Review

 
Task 6.1 Structuring Your Own Literature Review

 
The Relationship Between The Introduction And The Literature Review

 
Task 6.2 Reflecting On Your Own Research Field

 
Summary

 
 
In-Text Citations
Why Do We Reference?

 
What Is Plagiarism?

 
What Type Of Information Requires A Reference?

 
Referencing Systems

 
Integral And Non-Integral References

 
Disciplinary Differences in Refernce Type

 
Types Of Citation

 
Disciplinary Difference in Citation Type

 
Choice Of Reporting Verb

 
Disciplinary Difference in Reporting Verbs

 
Tense Of Reporting Verb

 
Choice Of Tense In The Clause Or Sentence Where The Information Is Reported

 
Effective And Unacceptable Citations

 
Text Matching Software: Turnitin

 
Task 7.1 Analysing Reference Techniques In Your Own Research Field

 
Summary

 
 
Being Critical
The Difference Between Critical Reading And Critical Writing

 
Being Critical In Writing

 
How Different Researchers Adopt A Critical Approach In Their Writing

 
Task 8.1 Critical Writing In Your Own Research Field

 
Summary

 
 
Foregrounding Writer Voice in Your Writing
What Is Writer Voice?

 
The Organisation Of The Text

 
Unattributed Assertions Followed by Support from Citations

 
Summary and Evaluation of Source Material

 
Overall Summary at End of Section or Chapter

 
The Use Of Personal Pronouns

 
The Choice Of Citation Pattern

 
The Evaluative Potential Of Different Reporting Verbs

 
Evaluative Adjectives, Adverbs And Phrases

 
A Mixture Of Evaluative Strategies

 
Task 9.1 Reflecting On The Writer's Voice In Your Own Research

 
Summary

 
 
The Continuing Process
The Literature Review Process

 
Referring To The Literature In Your Discussion Chapter

 
Task 10.1 Reflecting On Making The Connections In Your Own Research

 
Summary

 
Findings Support an Existing Theory

 
Comparing a New Model and an Existing Theory

 
Explaining a Finding Using the Literature

 
Contribution of Current Research to Exisiting Theory

 
Interpreting the Data Using the Literature

 
Application of Theory to the Findings

 
Summary

 
 
A Systematic Literature Review
What Is A Systematic Literature Review?

 
The Process Of Conducting A Systematic Literature Review

 
What Is A Meta-Analysis?

 
Narrative Synthesis

 
An Example Of A Systematic Review

 
Appraisal Of A Systematic Review

 
Task 11.1 Searching For And Critiquing A Systematic Literature Review In Your Field

 
Summary

 
Further Reading

 
 
Conclusion
 
Electronic Guides
 
References
 
Index

Supplements

SAGE Study Skills hub

Visit the SAGE Study Skills hub for tips, resources and videos on study success!

A detailed book which is essential reading for anyone doing a literature research project.

Mrs Diane Davies
Health , Merthyr Tydfil College
May 1, 2013

The book is very useful and I have it on my methodological reading list

Mr Bob Smale
Dept of Business Management, Brighton University
May 1, 2013

This is a very comprehensive text, which is very accessible for undergraduates. I have found it particularly helpful for students undertaking a library-based project.

Dr Gill Forrester
Education, Liverpool John Moores University
April 30, 2013

Just what most PG research students need when starting out on the road to their doctorate. Presents key ideas logically and in sequence.

Mr Paul Kiff
Graduate School, University of East London
April 28, 2013

Nicely laid out - important for a topic not immediately attractive for students - with sound advice, guidance and tips.

Mr William Spence
School of Medicine, University of Glasgow
April 26, 2013

This book address many of the areas of concern among the new researcher or the student undertaking a maters dissertation.
It takes the reader through the stages required to demonstrate that they have been thorough and critical in their approach to conducting a literature review. The examples will be useful in helping the student fully understand the processes discussed.

Ms Lynda Stobert
Faculty of Health, Birmingham City University
April 26, 2013

Very useful for students embarking on their third year projects. Feedback from students suggest it is easy to follow and engaging.

Ms Amanda French
Dept of Education Studies, Wolverhampton University
April 26, 2013

Stduent feedback suggest this books is useful and easy to follow.

Ms Amanda French
Dept of Education Studies, Wolverhampton University
April 26, 2013

Ideal for this module as the students complete a group academic report then an individual essay.

Mr Ian Watson
School of Computing, Engineering & IS, Northumbria University
April 25, 2013

Solid introduction to conducting a literature review - very useful for undergraduates and beginner postgraduates. Helpful examples and case studies that emphasise the logical/ practical reasons behind the conventions of academic writing. Also includes useful tips on recent technological developments, such as social bookmarking and reference managers. Recommended.

Dr Florentina Taylor
Education, University of York
April 4, 2013

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter 1


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