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D E V E L O P I N G
A L I T E R A T U R E R E V I E W P L A N
Walden University
Form and Style Editors
S E S S I O N O B J E C T I V E S
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Understand the purpose and rationale behind a dissertation’s literature review.
Define literature review writing process and
expectations.
Reflect on common barriers to writing the literature review, using individual and group activities.
Identify resources and create strategies to
overcome barriers to writing the literature review.
A C T I V I T Y
Capstone Stage Poll
L I T E R A T U R E
R E V I E W :
D E F I N I T I O N
Scholarly, empirical, peer-reviewed journal articles (most common)
Government documents
Collection and analysis of materials on a topic, with attention to currency and credibility of sources
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Goals for the Literature Review
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1 . P R E S E N T F U L L P I C T U R E O F T O P I C
Orient readers to state of topic/field:
Present what is known about the topic (and the factors or variables of interest), leading
the reader to what is not known (gap in existing literature that your study fills).
BACKGROUND/
HISTORY
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FOUNDATIONAL
STUDIES
CURRENT IDEAS
AND DEBATES
RECENT RESEARCH
2 . S Y N T H E S I Z E L I T E R A T U R E O N T O P I C
Always aim for synthesis, not summary
Show how works in the literature relate to one another as
well as to your own research; place works “in conversation.”
Ensure that ideas/topics flow naturally.
Prefer paraphrases over quotations.
Include original analysis.
Organize literature review by topic, not by author(s).
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3 . D E M O N S T R A T E Y O U R E X P E R T I S E
Show that you are an expert on your topic.
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Demonstrate that you have attained the highest level of scholarship in your field.
Showcase doctoral-level research and writing skills.
Establish credibility as a writer and scholar.
L I T E R A T U R E R E V I E W : A N I T E R A T I V E P R O C E S S
Search the literature and locate sources on your topic
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Read and take notes
Organize notes into a literature review matrix
Synthesize sources
Write/revise the literature review
A C T I V I T Y 1 A : I N D I V I D U A L R E F L E C T I O N
List three barriers you might encounter in completing your literature review.
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A C T I V I T Y 1 B : G R O U P D I S C U S S I O N
Share your list of three barriers with others in your group.
As a group, note the most common barrier among the group.
Choose a spokesperson to share this barrier with the larger group.
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Common Barriers to Writing the Literature Review … and How to Overcome Them
Barrier: I’m not sure where to go at Walden for tools, resources, and support for writing the literature review.
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H O W C A N
T H E L I B R A R Y H E L P ?
Ask a Librarian: Research support by email, chat, phone, or appointment
Interactive tutorials on conducting literature searches
Guidance on locating peer- reviewed sources
Webinars: How to Find a Gap in the Literature , Exhausting the Literature , & other webinars on library skills
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H O W C A N
T H E A C A D E M I C S K I L L S
C E N T E R H E L P ?
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H O W C A N T H E ACADEMIC SKILLS CENTER H E L P ?
Coursework
Writing III: Advanced Composition
Capstone
and Editing the Literature Review
The Academic Skills Center offers course-based support to students on writing a literature review
6-8 weeks (depending on the course)
$195 tuition per course
Email: caexcourses@mail.waldenu.edu
H O W C A N T H E W R I T I N G C E N T E R H E L P ?
Literature review writing guidance.
Guidance on reading to write, paraphrasing, synthesis, and writing with integrity
Resources for self-editing
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A D D I T I O N A L W R I T I N G C E N T E R R E S O U R C E S
SMRTguides (quick tutorial PDFs):
Creating a Literature Review Outline
Reverse Outlining and Using the MEAL Plan to Revise
Capstone template—Use at all stages of writing process, from proposal to final study!
Form & Style Checklist—Review early to save time later
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Barrier: I don’t fully understand how to organize/structure the information in my literature review.
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L I T E R A T U R E R E V I E W
O R G A N I Z A T I O N
Think first about the major topics, components, keywords, constructs, and/or variables from your problem statement.
What are the main components/keywords associated with the problem?
List these (typically four to six) and they should be the main headings in your lit review. Begin there.
Use the inverted triangle model (on next slide) to focus on the broadest topic areas, then the narrowest or most specific.
I N V E R T E D
T R I A N G L E
M O D E L
O R G A N I Z I N G Y O U R L I T E R A T U R E S E A R C H , R E A D I N G P R O C E S S ,
A N D N O T E S
Find a way of taking notes that works for you
Literature matrix or other organizational tool
Physical or electronic notes and folders
* Check out note-taking resources from the Academic Skills Center
Keep (hard or soft) copies of source materials
Consider bibliographic software such as Zotero from the Library
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Barrier: I feel overwhelmed by the scope of the literature review for my dissertation and don’t know where to start.
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S O L U T I O N : B U I L D A L I T E R A T U R E R E V I E W T I M E L I N E
| Include each stage of the literature review process |
| Research and reading Writing each section Writing the introduction and conclusion Feedback from your chair/committee members Revision |
| Include your goals for each stage |
| Work backwards |
| Ensure your timeline supports your capstone term plan |
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L I T E R A T U R E R E V I E W T I M E L I N E E X A M P L E
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January
Review SMRT guide on Writing the Lit Review Outline and create outline; send outline to chair
Set up a doctoral research appointment with a librarian
Review Proposal Starter Kit info on the Literature Review
Research and locate five articles related to one aspect of study topic
Read five articles
February
Read Developing Effective Searches Library resource
Research and locate 10 articles related to one aspect of study topic
Read 10 articles
Read Identifying/Evaluating Scholarly Resources Library resource
Create and submit draft of literature review TOC to chair
March
Review chair feedback and revise TOC based on feedback...
| SUNDAY | MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY | FRIDAY | SATURDAY |
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| Read Developing Effective Searches Library resource | Research | Read one article | ||||
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 8 | Research | Read one article | Read two articles | Read Identifying/ Evaluating Scholarly Resources Library resource |
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F E B R U A R Y
M A N A G I N G
Y O U R
S C H E D U L E
Providing Structure
Set a schedule and commit to work on your study.
Preserve your personal time and allow yourself breaks.
Set realistic, bite-sized goals and stick to them.
Find ways to be accountable to other people, such as a writing group with your peers (consider CAEX Doctoral Writing Workshops).
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R E F L E C T I O N : Y O U R “ G O L D E N H O U R ” O F P R O D U C T I V I T Y
When are you most alert?
When are you free to work on research/writing?
How can you minimize the distractions that tend to pull you away from your research/writing?
How long are you able to focus on a given task before feeling too fatigued to make progress?
Who can you ask to hold you accountable?
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Barrier: I am unsure how to achieve synthesis (rather than summary).
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S Y N T H E S I S V S . S U M M A R Y
Remember, summary is focused on one author (or set of authors) and explaining their main point.
Synthesis is focused on combining ideas/findings from multiple authors/studie s to create an argument.
Form and Style resources on synthesis
Form and Style resources on citing
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L E A R N
S O L U T I O N : S E T U P A P L A N T O E F F E C T I V E S Y N T H E S I S
Develop a system to keep track of your sear ches ( library’s search log )
Develop a system to organize and take notes on sources (e.g.
Zotero , Literature Review Matrix )
Determine common
themes in literature
Review the Form and Style Proposal Kit
Review the Form and Style Editors Reading to Write page
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Create outline of literature review using common themes and program requirements.
Barrier: I am struggling to address faculty feedback on my writing in an effective way.
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S O L U T I O N : S E T U P A P L A N T O W O R K E F F E C T I V E L Y W I T H F A C U L T Y
Communicating Effectively
Find a communication style and schedule that works for all involved.
Schedule regular meetings/check-ins.
Set deadlines and goals.
Be clear and specific when you ask for feedback.
Be intentional about when you ask for help.
Stay positive and respectful.
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S O L U T I O N :
Y O U R S E L F T O
P R E P A R E R E V I S E
Interpreting Feedback
Different faculty have different approaches—you will get conflicting feedback from time to time.
Criticism is not the same as rejection.
Revision is a big part of the process.
Work on self-revision and proofreading practices to ensure that you are producing the cleanest draft possible during each faculty review.
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A C T I V I T Y 2 : G R O U P D I S C U S S I O N
Develop a solution strategy (using at least three different resources) to address the common barrier identified in Activity 1B.
Select a spokesperson and be prepared to share your group’s strategy with the larger group.
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T A K E - H O M E
A C T I V I T Y : C R E A T E Y O U R
O W N T I M E L I N E
Begin building a literature review plan by creating a timeline:
Work backwards—When will lit review be complete?
Set time commitment (including golden hour of productivity).
Establish reading/research goals.
Plan to use outside resources (Library, WC, ASC) to address possible barriers.
Identify organizing/writing goals.
Consult your capstone term plan to ensure your timeline supports your progress there.
Anticipate faculty feedback schedule.
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A N O T H E R L O O K A T
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T I M E L I N E
A L I T E R A T U R E R E V I E W E X A M P L E
January
Review SMRT guide on Writing the Lit Review Outline and create outline; send outline to chair
Set up a doctoral research appointment with a librarian
Review Proposal Starter Kit info on the Literature Review
Research and locate five articles related to one aspect of study topic
Read five articles
February
Read Developing Effective Searches Library resource
Research and locate 10 articles related to one aspect of study topic
Read 10 articles
Read Identifying/Evaluating Scholarly Resources Library resource
Create and submit draft of literature review TOC to chair
March
Review chair feedback and revise TOC based on feedback...
| SUNDAY | MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY | FRIDAY | SATURDAY |
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| Read Developing Effective Searches Library resource | Research | Read one article | ||||
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 0 | Research | Read one article | Read two articles | Read Identifying/ Evaluating Scholarly Resources Library resource |
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F E B R U A R Y
CAPSTONE W R I T I N G H E L P B E Y O N D R E S I D E NC I E S
Questions about writing the capstone?
Visit the Form and Style Website
Email us at editor@waldenu.edu