Literature review

by Valeria Baudo

1. What is a literature review?

1.1. support and synthesize ideas of others

1.2. handy guide to a particular topic

1.3. it differs from an annotated bibliography

1.4. focus on ideas not on books

2. 3-data evaluation

2.1. information currency

3. 4-analysis and interpretation

3.1. structure

3.1.1. introduction

3.1.1.1. the nature of the topic under discussion

3.1.1.2. the parameters of the topic

3.1.1.3. the basis for your selection of the literature

3.1.2. body

3.1.2.1. cronological

3.1.2.2. thematical

3.1.2.3. methodological

3.1.2.4. classic texts

3.1.2.5. current mainstream versus alternative

3.1.2.6. definitions in use

3.1.2.7. current research and discoveries

3.1.3. conclusions

3.1.3.1. A summary of major agreements and disagreements

3.1.3.2. A summary of general conclusions

3.2. writing

3.2.1. use evidence

3.2.2. be selective

3.2.3. use quote sparingly

3.2.4. summarize and synthesize

4. 1-problem formulation

4.1. narrow your topics

4.2. Construct a working thesis statement

4.2.1. http://bit.ly/o33eMp

5. 2-literature search

5.1. how many sources?

5.2. which types?

5.3. information currency

5.4. identification of key papers/books/sources