Writing Literature Reviews and Research ProposalsInformation Sources3 Potential Problems with Empirical ResearchOther SourcesWriting ProcessQuestions to Ask in Evaluating an Empirical ArticleQuestions to Ask in Evaluating Review ArticlesWriting for Specific PurposesSlide 9Identifying LiteratureAdditional Steps to Get StartedSteps to Get StartedGuidelines for Analyzing LiteratureSlide 14Slide 15Slide 16Slide 17Guidelines for Analyzing MethodologySlide 19Slide 20Slide 21Synthesizing LiteratureSlide 23Slide 24Slide 25Slide 26Slide 27Writing First DraftSlide 29Develop a Coherent EssaySlide 31Slide 32Slide 33Style, Mechanics, LanguageSlide 35Slide 36Slide 37Incorporating Feedback..RefiningSlide 39Slide 40Writing Literature Reviews1 1Writing Literature Reviews and Research ProposalsGalvan, Jose L. 1999. Writing literature reviews: A guide for students of the social and behavioral sciences. Los Angeles, CA: Pyrczak Publishing.2 2Information Sources•Primary (empirical) sources*****–original; empirical; first published account–details on methodology, findings, and discussion–systematic observation (carefully planned)•Secondary sources–found in books, magazines, newspapers–global descriptions of findings3 33 Potential Problems with Empirical Research•Sampling–unrepresentativeness–sampling bias•Measurement–flawed instrumentation (surveys, interviews, observation, experimentation)–multiple measures -- consistent results?•Problem identification–researchers studying same problem might examine different specific (narrow) areas of the problem4 4Other Sources•Theoretical articles–theory built on existing empirical work–pieces of theory can be tested empirically–follow up on leads in bibliography•Literature review articles–new and fresh insights that advance knowledge •resolve conflicts in articles that contradict each other•identify new ways to interpret results•lay out a path for future research/generate propositions•Antecdotal Reports (do NOT use these)5 5Writing Process•Planning –defining a topic and selecting literature•Organizing–analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating review articles•Drafting–writing a first draft of the review•Editing–checking draft for completeness, cohesion, correctness•Redrafting6 6Questions to Ask in Evaluating an Empirical Article•Are there obvious sampling problems?•Are there obvious measurement problems?•Is the problem narrow enough? Too narrow?•Are there any other flaws in the paper?•Does the research make an important contribution to advancing knowledge?7 7Questions to Ask inEvaluating Review Articles•Have the reviewers clearly identified the topic of review? •Have the reviewers indicated its delimitations (time period, aspects of the problem, etc)?•Have the reviewers written a cohesive essay that guides you through the lit from topic to topic?•Have the reviewers interpreted the literature (as opposed to summarizing)?•Did the reviewers make an important contribution?8 8Writing for Specific Purposes•Term paper for class–Plan carefully -- use a timeline. Don’t wait til the last minute to start. Pace yourself.•Stage 1: Prelim library search and selection of topic•Stage 2: Reading list and prelim paper outline•Stage 3: First draft of paper•Stage 4: Revised final draft of paper–Ask questions of your instructor -- understand expectatns–Keep your topic narrow; choose a well-defined topic–Use textbook subheadings or articles to help you choose–Get feedback on drafts (if possible)9 9Writing for Specific Purposes•Journal Article–introduction to topic, statement of purpose of empirical research, and lit review–establishes scientific context for study–very straightforward, short, focused.–Provide rationale and background for specific and often very narrow research projects–should reflect current state of research; articles included should be the most recent10 10Identifying Literature•Search an appropriate database–can start with general topic–better to start with more specific topic, but can narrow down a general topic after seeing list of articles•Shorten list to a manageable size–which articles pertain to your major field of study?–reclassify articles in the list–is the journal respected in your field?11 11Additional Steps to Get Started•Write the first draft of your topic sentence–name the area you will investigate, in general–after examining more focused list of articles•Pick on-line databases that are appropriate for your topic•As you search databases for articles and narrow your search, redefine your topic more narrowly.•Start with the most current and work backwards12 12Steps to Get Started•Use most recent applicable article(s) as sources for more articles.–Compare bibliographies to your previous list and make strategic decisions about which to include. Keep in mind:•list should represent the extent of knowledge on the topic•list should provide a proper context for your investigation•Search for theoretical articles in databases and bibliographies of articles•Search for review articles, proposals, meta-analyses•Identify landmark or classic studies13 13Guidelines for Analyzing Literature•Analyze chosen articles before you start writing•1. Scan articles to get an overview of each–first few paragraphs, paragraph before Method, major and minor subheadings, hypotheses, purposes, scan text (but don’t get caught in details), first para of Discussion–keep an eye on big picture by pre-reading–take notes on first page about overall purpose/findings•2. Based on #1, group articles by category–by topic and subtopic, then chronologically14 14Guidelines for Analyzing Literature•3. Organize yourself before reading–computer, pack of note cards for comments, self-adhesive flags to mark important places•4. Use a consistent format in notes–begin reading and making notes of important points on cards–start a system of note-taking and use system consistently–what is notable about the article? •Landmark/flaws/experimental/qualitative?–Use several cards per article15 15Guidelines for Analyzing Literature•5. Note explicit definitions of key terms–note differences between/among researchers•6. Note methodological strengths and weaknesses–e.g., triangulation of methods, sample sizes, generalizability.–does one article improve upon another bc of method?–does innovative methodology seem