Diana Ridley 
The Literature Review [EPUB ebook] 
A Step-by-Step Guide for Students

Introduction
What Is A Literature Review?
The Literature Review At Different Degree Levels
Why Is It Important To Undertake A Literature Review As Part Of Your Research?
Where Do We Find The Literature Review In A Dissertation Or Thesis?
Structuring Your Literature Review
Task 1.1 Choosing A Literature Review Approach
Summary
Overview
The Multiple Purposes of a Literature Review
The Multiple Purposes
Historical Background
Contemporary Context
Theoretical Underpinnings
Definitions And Discussion Of Terminology Used In The Research
Signalling A Gap In Previous Research And Using This To Justify Your Own
The Significance Of A Problem For Research
Task 2.1 Reflecting On Your Own Research
Summary
Sources of Information and Conducting Searches
What Is A Literature Search?
What Are The Purposes Of A Literature Search?
Sources Of Information
Evaluating Online Sources Of Information
Different Types Of Research
Tools For Finding Relevant Sources
The Process Of Conducting A Literature Search
The Use Of Key Words And Boolean Logic
Keeping Up To Date: RSS Feeds And Email Alerts
Social Bookmarking
Task 3.1 Tracking And Recording Your Search
Summary
Reading and Note-Taking Strategies
Techniques For Reading Efficiently
Increasing Your Reading Speed
Reasons For Note Taking
Techniques For Note Taking
Three Main Formats for Note Taking
Your Own Comments
Handwritten Notes VS Computer Notes
Making Connections Between Different Texts: Using Key Words
Making Connections Between Different Texts: A Tabular Comparison
Techniques For Writing A Summary
Task 4.1 Applying The Principles To Your Field
Summary
Reference Management: Keeping Records and Organising Information
Managing The Process
A Record of Key Word Searches
A Record of Bibliographic Details
A Personal Library
Copyright Legislation
Bibliographical Software Packages
Task 5.1 Record Keeping For Your Own Research
Summary
Structuring the Literature Review
The Processes Involved In The Creation Of A Literature Review
Beginning To Write
The Structure Of The Literature Review
Developing The Structure Of Your Review
Task 6.1 Structuring Your Own Literature Review
The Relationship Between The Introduction And The Literature Review
Task 6.2 Reflecting On Your Own Research Field
Summary
In-Text Citations
Why Do We Reference?
What Is Plagiarism?
What Type Of Information Requires A Reference?
Referencing Systems
Integral And Non-Integral References
Disciplinary Differences in Refernce Type
Types Of Citation
Disciplinary Difference in Citation Type
Choice Of Reporting Verb
Disciplinary Difference in Reporting Verbs
Tense Of Reporting Verb
Choice Of Tense In The Clause Or Sentence Where The Information Is Reported
Effective And Unacceptable Citations
Text Matching Software: Turnitin
Task 7.1 Analysing Reference Techniques In Your Own Research Field
Summary
Being Critical
The Difference Between Critical Reading And Critical Writing
Being Critical In Writing
How Different Researchers Adopt A Critical Approach In Their Writing
Task 8.1 Critical Writing In Your Own Research Field
Summary
Foregrounding Writer Voice in Your Writing
What Is Writer Voice?
The Organisation Of The Text
Unattributed Assertions Followed by Support from Citations
Summary and Evaluation of Source Material
Overall Summary at End of Section or Chapter
The Use Of Personal Pronouns
The Choice Of Citation Pattern
The Evaluative Potential Of Different Reporting Verbs
Evaluative Adjectives, Adverbs And Phrases
A Mixture Of Evaluative Strategies
Task 9.1 Reflecting On The Writer′s Voice In Your Own Research
Summary
The Continuing Process
The Literature Review Process
Referring To The Literature In Your Discussion Chapter
Task 10.1 Reflecting On Making The Connections In Your Own Research
Summary
Findings Support an Existing Theory
Comparing a New Model and an Existing Theory
Explaining a Finding Using the Literature
Contribution of Current Research to Exisiting Theory
Interpreting the Data Using the Literature
Application of Theory to the Findings
Summary
A Systematic Literature Review
What Is A Systematic Literature Review?
The Process Of Conducting A Systematic Literature Review
What Is A Meta-Analysis?
Narrative Synthesis
An Example Of A Systematic Review
Appraisal Of A Systematic Review
Task 11.1 Searching For And Critiquing A Systematic Literature Review In Your Field
Summary
Further Reading
Conclusion
Electronic Guides
References
Index

Diana Ridley is a Senior Lecturer at the TESOL Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, UK where she supervises research students in the fields of English language teaching and academic literacies.