Literature Review - Step by Step Guide For Graduate Students | Prof. David Stuckler

Introduction

This tutorial serves as a comprehensive guide for graduate students on how to effectively write a literature review. Based on insights from Prof. David Stuckler, this step-by-step approach simplifies the process, making it easier to understand and implement. Whether you're struggling with structure, searching for relevant literature, or crafting your conclusions, this guide will help you navigate each stage confidently.

Step 1: Understand What a Literature Review Is

A literature review is a critical evaluation of existing research on a specific topic. It serves several purposes:

• It identifies gaps in current research.
• It provides context for your own research.
• It demonstrates your understanding of the field.

Practical Tips

• Start by reading various literature reviews in your area of study to grasp different styles and approaches.

Step 2: Find Your Structure

Establishing a clear structure for your literature review is crucial. Common structures include:

• Chronological: Presenting research in the order it was published.
• Thematic: Grouping studies by themes or topics.
• Methodological: Organizing by research methods used.

Practical Advice

• Choose a structure that best fits your research question and will help guide your writing.

Step 3: Use the Strip Method

The Strip Method involves breaking down articles into key components:

• Summary: Summarize the main findings.
• Theory: Discuss the theoretical framework.
• Research questions: Note the research questions posed.
• Implications: Consider the implications of the findings.
• Problems: Identify any limitations or issues in the studies.

Application

• Create a table with these categories for each paper to visualize your findings easily.

Step 4: Develop Your Conceptual Framework

A conceptual framework helps to define your research's scope and direction. It connects the literature to your research question.

Steps to Create a Conceptual Framework

1. Identify key concepts from your literature.
2. Determine relationships between these concepts.
3. Visualize the framework through diagrams or flowcharts.

Practical Tip

• Use software tools like Canva or MindMeister to create engaging visuals.

Step 5: Implement the Snowball Method

The Snowball Method is a strategy for finding additional relevant literature. It consists of:

• Starting with a few key papers.
• Checking their references for more studies.
• Looking at who has cited those papers for newer research.

Common Pitfall

• Ensure your sources are credible and relevant to maintain the quality of your literature review.

Step 6: Use the PEER System

The PEER system is a framework for evaluating the quality of the literature:

• Purpose: What is the aim of the study?
• Evidence: What evidence is provided?
• Effect: What are the effects or outcomes?
• Relevance: How relevant is the study to your topic?

In Practice

• Apply the PEER criteria to each article to determine its value for your review.

Step 7: Write Your Conclusion and Introduction

The conclusion synthesizes your findings, while the introduction sets the stage for your review:

• Introduction: Introduce your topic, state the purpose, and outline the structure of your review.
• Conclusion: Summarize key insights, highlight gaps, and suggest future research directions.

Practical Tips

• Ensure both sections are clear and concise. A strong introduction and conclusion can significantly impact your review's effectiveness.

Conclusion

Writing a literature review can be a daunting task, but by following these structured steps, you can streamline the process. Start by understanding the purpose of a literature review, establish a clear structure, utilize effective methods like the Strip and Snowball techniques, and critically evaluate your sources using the PEER system. Finally, craft a compelling introduction and conclusion to tie your review together. With these strategies, you are well on your way to producing a comprehensive literature review.