The literature review: six steps to success

Preface Acknowledgments About the Authors 1. The Literature Review Process: Getting Started The Purpose of a Literature Review The Literature Review Definition The Literature Review Process Inquiry: The Necessary Precondition Pack Wisely Before You Begin Tips Summary Checklist 2. Selecting the Topic: Everyday Interest to Research Interest Introduction: Selecting a Research Topic Step 1: Choosing a Research Interest Exercises Researcher Bias Step 2: Specifying a Research Interest Focusing the Interest Selecting a Vantage Point Reflection: The Key to Interest Selection Step 3: From Research Interest to Research Topic Accessing the Research Conversation: Formalizing the Research Topic Tips Summary Checklist 3. Searching the Literature: Tasks and Tools Introduction: Searching the Literature Discovering the Literature to Review Conducting a Literature Search Previewing the Data: Scanning the Literature Using the Internet Managing Your Data Selecting the Data: Skimming the Literature Mapping: An Overview Mapping by Core Concept Mapping by Author Contribution Refining the Topic Expanding the Topic Tips Summary Checklist 4. Developing the Argument: Making the Case for the Literature Review Introduction: Arguments and the Literature Review Building the Case for the Literature Review Arguments Evaluating the Basic Parts of an Argument Claims Types of Claims Acceptability of Claims Data Versus Evidence Data Quality Data Relevance Qualifying the Claim Warranting: Building the Rationale for the Argument Multiple Claims Arguments Tips Summary Checklist 5. Doing the Literature Survey: Building the Argument of Discovery Introduction: The Next Steps The Survey of the Literature Stage 1: Assembly Assembling the Data Recording the Data Stage 2: Synthesis Synthesizing the Information, Building Evidence Integrating the Data, Building Claims Reasoning Patterns Stage 3: Analyzing, Building the Argument of Discovery Complex Reasoning Divergent Reasoning Comparative Reasoning Building the Discovery Argument: An Example Mapping the Argument of Discovery Analyzing the Argument Tips Summary Checklist 6. The Literature Critique: Interpreting the Research The Literature Critique Implicative Reasoning: The Literature Critique The Two Arguments Argument Patterns Backing Fallacies The Case Is Everything Tips Summary Checklist 7. Writing the Review: Write, Audit, Edit The Writing Process: An Overview Writing to Understand: An Overview Exploratory Writing: Creating Writing Readiness Exploratory Writing: The Literature Review Outlining: An Overview Some Common Outlining Mistakes Outlining the Literature Review The Introduction to the Literature Review The Body of the Literature Review The Background of the Study The Thesis Argument The Summation of the Literature Review Auditing and Editing the Outline Tips on Writing Drafts The Preliminary Draft: An Overview The Preliminary Draft: The Write Tips on Writing the Early Drafts Style Manuals and Author's Guides Preliminary Draft: The Audit Preliminary Draft: The Edit Writing to Be Understood The First Draft The First Draft Audit: The Outside Review The Second and Third Drafts: Polishing the Work The Second Draft and Beyond: Writing the Polished Work The Polished Draft Audit: The Referred Review The Final Tip Summary References Index.

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This text features a clear, understandable six-step method for streamlining the literature review process! Written in user-friendly language, this resource offers master's and doctoral level students in education and the social sciences a road map to developing and writing an effective literature review for a research project, thesis, or dissertation. Organized around a comprehensive and detailed six-step developmental model, the book provides guided exercises, graphics, charts, and examples from the everyday experiences of practitioners. Both novice and experienced researchers will find invaluable assistance for: selecting a topic; searching the literature; developing arguments; surveying the literature; critiquing the literature; and, writing the literature review.