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Ed.D. Library Resources: Literature
Review

Your guide to the most pertinent library resources for doctoral students

Goal

Your goal (should you choose to accept it):

Construct an argument that demonstrates the relevance and significance of your proposed study to the field (in this case, of education).

SBR I Webinar

Thank you to everyone who attended the SBR Webinar presentation Nov 3, 2015. If you missed the presentation, would like to review it, or just have copies of the slides, please use the links below.

Maureen Morasch, MLIS

Purpose

Why do academics write literature reviews?

 

Purpose of a literature review: find a hole within the existing body of research where you might be able to create new knowledge.

Why the literature review is an important part of a research project:

  • frames what has and has not been done
  • creates a framework around the topic
  • suggests new questions or avenues
What a literature review is:

A literature review is

  • a synthesis of what the existing research says about your topic
  • an argument about where future research should go
  •  
What a literature review is not:
It is not . . .

Ø A hoop to jump through:

"Working with the literatures is not, as some doctoral [students] in desperate and cynical moments suggest, about showing their [committee] that a lot of books and articles have been read" (Kamler & Thomson, 2006, p. 28).

Ø A linear process:

Search → Read → Write → Done!

Ø A fast project:

Creating a literature review takes a lot of time and effort.

Tips, Help, & Tutorials