Library Class and Subject Guides: Education Research Overview: Literature Reviews

What is a literature review?

Types of Literature Reviews

When someone refers to a literature review, they may mean either:

a finished product representing an extensive compilation of references identifying relevant research and theory in a selected field of study that relates to the research question, or
an ongoing process designed to help formulate a research question, as well as inform research methodology and the analysis and interpretation of collected information and data.

Process for Conducting Literature Review Research

Develop a Broad Overview by consulting resources to learn general information about a concept or about a context (e.g., educational history within the U.S., teaching English as a foreign language).

Search for Information by using core research resources in the field of education to focus your topic (e.g. the impact of John Dewey and the progressive education movement, teaching English writing skills to students in Venezuela).

Interact with Information to develop skills and strategies that will help you remember, understand, and assimilate new information.

Form Research Question using a checklist of the key components of a good research question.

Cite Sources using the APA style manual.

Books on the Literature Review and Writing Process

A Counselor's Guide to the Dissertation Process by Brandé Flamez; A. Stephen Lenz; Richard S. Balkin
Provides tips for staying motivated, time management, and self-care; selecting a dissertation committee and narrowing down the topic; writing a proposal; preparing the literature review; creating the problem statement, purpose statement, and research questions; understanding research methodology and ethics; collecting and analyzing data; and presenting results
Thesis and Dissertation Writing in a Second Language by Brian Paltridge; Sue Starfield
Written for students whose primary language is not English as they work on writing a thesis or dissertation in English.
Successful Dissertations: The Complete Guide for Education, Childhood and Early Childhood Studies Students by Caron Carter (Editor)
Research guide for all undergraduate researchers starting a dissertation project in an Education department.
During the Dissertation by Christine Pearson Casanave
Designed as a companion for doctoral dissertation writers of qualitative or mixed methods work in fields related to language education.
Writing Your Doctoral Dissertation by Rita S. Brause
Written for students whose earlier college lives did not prepare them for the rules of the academic game. Explains what a dissertation looks like, how it gets that way, and what options are available.
Revise: the scholar-writer's essential guide to tweaking, editing, and perfecting your manuscript by Pamela Haag
How to read and revise your own writing, spot editorial issues, and transform a draft from passable to great.