Writing-a-Literature-Review-in-Psychology-and-Other-Majors (1).ppt

statistics and epidemiology

1. Writing the Literature
Review
A Guide for Exercise & Sport Science,
Music, Psychology, & other Majors

2. Literature Review
A Process
The literature review: A synthesis of studies on any given topic.
Usually precedes a full-length original study as a way of
introducing the general topic.
Its purpose: To help the reader understand the background to
your study and see how it’s the next logical study to be conducted
in this domain.
Necessarily, a good literature review requires a thoroughly
researched topic.
Be prepared for a writing process. Do not attempt to write a literature
review over night. This process takes weeks and months. Yes, months.

3. Literature Review:
Preparations
There are a number of preliminary steps to
consider:
Determine whether the literature review will
be quantitative (must be theory-driven) or
qualitative. Either choice will determine your
emphasis on statistics.
Topic selection and narrowing.
Research, research, research . . .

4. Topic Selection
Work with your professor and/or research project mentor to select
your topic.
Examine a wide array of resources for ideas on topic selection:
Textbooks
Titles and abstracts of other articles
Broad theories (as areas for exploration)
Delimitations (to find a niche)
Remember to brainstorm with other individuals. The Writing Center is
awesome for this. 

5. Research Strategies
Do not develop an outline at this stage. Research first. Outline later.
Use RefWorks to help you keep your research organized.
Be professional in your selection of sources.
Peer-reviewed articles are a BIG deal.
Databases are an enormous resource for a literature review assignment.
PsychARTICLES, PsychINFO, ERIC, etc.
Abstract databases are helpful; if used, be sure to order articles. You can’t cite from mere
abstracts in your paper. You must read and cite the entire article.
Cast your net wide.
Remember to use your database’s thesaurus to explore more options for research.
Use every search tool available to you. Google Scholar can be useful, if your professor
allows Internet research. (Dr. Fox: No Internet Web sites!)

6. Evaluating &
Interpreting Research
Ensure your information is both accurate and unbiased.
Stick to peer reviewed sources only. (It’s worth repeating. )
Some Internet sources can be very up-to-date and therefore can be especially
useful if statistics are required. (FedStats.gov, state government Web sites, etc.)
Be guarded against any research that claims to “prove” an idea. Unequivocal
results are rare.
Consider each study’s methods, measurements, and significance to evaluate
whether you should use it.
Finally, take caution when you encounter research studies--especially qualitative
research studies--that attempt to show causality.

7. Organizing &
Outlining
Organization is key to the construction of an effective literature review.
Let your outline flow from your research.
Good organization begins with conscientious research.
Take thorough research notes. Begin grouping your sources by topic,
delimitation, and chronology. Make piles on a large table. Literally. 
Pay extremely good attention to key definitions as you do your research.
Establish which studies are going to be most important for your review; take
more thorough notes on these studies.
However, avoid too many quotations in your notes. Dr. Fox allows only 1-2
quotations maximum! Learn how to paraphrase well. (The writing center can
help!)
Use RefWorks to keep all the information organized.

8. Organizing &
Outlining
Create a topic outline before you begin drafting
In your literature review’s Introduction:
Identify the topic
Establish the topic’s importance
Define any crucial terms
Engage in any theoretical discussions that are necessary for the logic of your
literature review
Arrange the raw research. This part of outlining will be considerably easier if you’ve
done a good job organizing the data ahead of time (i.e., worked from piles!).
Remember as you outline: Logical cohesion and flow are vital!

9. Drafting Strategies
Follow your topic outline as you write.
Develop and maintain a logical progression (think: giant funnel). This
paper is not a (glorified) list.
Demonstrate consistencies in and relationships between the
literature you’ve studied.
Likewise, emphasize the stronger studies (e.g., have better
measurements or more consistent methods) over ones that are
weaker.
Make the implications of your information and any suggestions for
further research as specific as possible.

10. A sample paragraph
with transitions
Researchers have conducted studies about siblings of special needs and autistic
children because this group is vulnerable to adjustment difficulties (Cuskelly, 1999).
In fact, specialists have compared the sibling-autism relationship to the MR
relationship. They have also studied the importance of the family, and particularly
the mother, in this relationship. In addition, Kaminsky and Dewey (2001) found that
the autism-sibling relationship is characterized by less intimacy and pro-social
behavior. This study likewise reports that these relationships were marked by fewer
instances of quarreling. While this phenomenon may occur because of the unique
situation of the autism-sibling relationship, less fighting is also a positive
illustration of a relationship marked by more admiration. Furthermore, Rivers and
Stoneman (2003) define this relationship as asymmetrical. These results are also
similar to the MR-sibling relationship, as reported by Knott, et al. (1995). Rivers and
Stoneman (2003) reveal, too, that parents worry about the autism-sibling
relationship in their families. The importance of the family’s influence on the
autism-sibling relationship is very useful for this research study and thus, will be
discussed in the conclusion of the literature review. ~Ellen Geib, CU Writing
Center Tutor

11. Introduction
& Conclusion
Introduction: Explain literature review structure.
Thesis: Establish the logical progression.
Conclusion: Specifically identify the study that
will follow (i.e., your original study!) as a result
of this literature review.

12. Drafting: Pitfalls to
Avoid
Unprofessional language: Avoid the appearance of cheekiness or emotional
appeal.
Don’t plagiarize! Be extremely careful with your paraphrasing. In fact, attend or
view online the writing center’s workshop, Writing Papers with a Good Conscience!
Too many quotations: Only quote those elements which need the utmost
precision. In Dr. Fox’s class, one or two quotations max.
Lack of Fluency and Cohesiveness: Your literature review should not read like a
list of facts.
Use transitions to develop fluency. APA headings do not substitute for
transitions.
Show connections between the literature
Develop your thesis in the paper itself.

13. Go Forth and Write!

And come see us:
MWF 1-5 p.m.
T/TH 12:30-5 p.m.
M-TH 7-11 p.m.

14. Website Information
Workshop Schedule, Power Point
Presentations, & Videos:
http://www.cedarville.edu/Offices/Writing-Cente
r/Workshop-Information.aspx