literature reviews

WHAT IS A LITERATURE REVIEW?• A place to make connections between what you are

investigating and what has already been investigated in your subject area

• A place to engage in a type of conversation with other researchers in your subject area

• A place to identify previous research on the topic

• A place to show there is a gap in the literature which your study can fill

• A place from which to begin your own investigation

Ridley, D. (2008). The literature review: A step-by-step guide for students. London: Sage Publications, p. 2.

SIMPLY PUT…Helps you and your readers understand:

• What you know about your topic• What other people know about your

topic• What research has been done• How research was done

• Where are the gaps?• Jumping off point for your study

HOW TO BEGIN?FINDING APPROPRIATE SOURCES OF INFORMATION• Know what is appropriate:

– Scholarly, academic, peer-reviewed material– Material that presents empirical data/evidence to back up

claims, not just opinions– Material that presents an introduction, purpose,

background literature, method, procedures, findings, discussion, implications, conclusion

• Know where to begin searching:– Book catalogues– Library databases – Education Research Complete, ERIC,

Academic Search Complete, Sage Journals Online

WHERE TO START?

BOOKS

• They gather a lot of information on one topic in one place.

• They can provide a good overview or good background information on a topic.

• They often offer extensive bibliographies.

• Look for encyclopedias or handbooks for info on key theories and researchers

• E.g. Encyclopedia of the social and cultural foundations of education

•E-books

JOURNAL ARTICLES

• Journal articles discuss one perspective.

• Each article makes a unique contribution.

• Articles can supplement information found first in books.

• Articles can offer more up-to-date information.

FINDING JOURNAL ARTICLES

• Use library databases

• Try Google Scholar

For finding info about research methodology

SEARCH TIPS

Recommended databases: Education Research Complete; ERIC, Academic Search Complete

Tips:

• Limit to scholarly (peer reviewed) journals• Look for descriptors (or subject headings) for more

focused results• Use research methodology in your search terms• “Get it” button looks for the full text throughout all of

the Library’s databases

SEARCH TERMS

Try adding “literature review”

• you will see examples of lit reviews, plus get an overview of some aspect of your topic

Or “narrative” or “quantitative” etc.

FOR MORE HELP…

Visit the Graduate Education Research Guide

See the Help pages

Contact the Library Help Desk

• 905-688-5550 x. 3233 or use email form

Contact your liaison librarian:

• Jennifer Thiessen (phone, chat, email)