1. Define a topic or research focus to start:
must be interesting to you / an important aspect of the field / a well-defined issue
2. Choose the type of review to write:
- Mini-review: shorter in length, cover a specific time frame, or narrow subject area
- Full review: longer, deeper coverage includes details.
- Descriptive: focuses on methodology, findings, interpretation
- Integrative: attempt to find common ideas and concepts.
3. Search for relevant work & re-search the Literature:
- keep track of databases and search items
- keep a list of papers and pdfs,
- use a management system: Refworks, EndNote, Mendeley
- define criteria for exclusion
- use reviews
4. Assess the quality of sources & take NOTES while reading.
5. Keep the review focused, but broad interest. [could discuss other disciplines affected]
6. Be Critical and consistent: The reader should have an idea of
- The major achievements in the reviewed field.
- The areas of debate.
- The outstanding research questions.
7. Find a logical structure. Use a MIND-MAP to draw a conceptual scheme of the review
.
//www.tonybuzan.com/gallery/mind-maps/
8. Make use of feedback. Can be peer-reviewed or someone reading a draft.
9. Include your own relevant research but be objective.
10. Be Up-to-date, do not forget older studies.
11. Summarize the evidence
12. Interpret the findings = keep your own voice
AVOID these traps:
- Trying to read everything: try to read the most relevant work instead.
- Reading not writing: writing is a way of thinking, - write many drafts.
- Reminder: Review papers can have abstracts and illustrations.
- Failing to keep bibliographic information: remember that you will be writing a page entitled References at some point.
- Organizing your review chronologically: Organize your paper by ideas.
Credit:
Reference: //writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/literature-reviews/
Original by Marco Pautasso. PLOS. July 2013, vol. 9, issue 7.
Questions: Your Librarian, Susan Koskinen,