Download - 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)