A literature review should....
use academic literature to summarise the key issues (themes) in the topic you are investigating
use academic literature to answer the question(s) you have about your topic
use academic literature to assess the research that has already been done on your topic
all of the above
For the purposes of a literature review, being "in conversation with" existing academic literature means:
e-mailing the authors of the studies you read to see what they think about your topic
describing their views and arguments, comparing it with others and highlighting any weaknesses in what they are saying
Which of the following would be classed as academic literature?
Wikipedia
Books from our library collection
Journal articles
Newspaper articles
Blogs and discussion groups online
What does being critical in a literature review mean?
Saying that I personally disagree with the literature. There is no need to explain why or to provide evidence
Contrasting one view point in the literature with another view point to show where there is disagreement
Challenging key points with evidence in the form of data or other literature that suggest that the point might be wrong (for example, 'most young people use smartphones' could be challenged with data to show that some young people do not)
Challenging assumptions that literature makes (for example, 'technology improves learning' could be challenged for being utopian and deterministic viewpoint, as it suggests technology has a positive and direct impact on learning in all situations)
In a literature review you should...
List each author in turn and explain what they said before moving onto the next
Read academic literature, group ideas into three or four themes and then write these into paragraphs.
Most academic journal articles have a literature review section
No, academic journal articles do not need these
Yes, they are usually near the start after the abstract and introduction and before the methodology section
A literature review should have a clear introduction and conclusion.
I can use the first person ("I believe..." "I think...") in my literature review.
I can send my literature review to my supervisor for formative feedback.
One more time and just to be sure, a literature review is....
A description of a random selection of work in the subject area
A list of books with a short commentary on each just like an annotated bibliography
A place for your opinions. "I think...." "I believe...."
A review of recent academic literature on one specific topic, summarising, referencing and discussing it.
