University of Calgary Assignment Tracker

Literature Review

1. Step 1: Read your assignment outline
   Percent time spent on this step: 5%

   Instructions:

   The assignment sheet or marking schema is the most valuable resource for your literature review. Don’t quickly skim through it and write the assignment that you think it should be. Set aside at least a half hour to methodically go through this resource. For tips on getting the most from your assignment sheet, you may want to use Reading Your Assignment Sheet.       
2. Step 2: Select your focus
   Percent time spent on this step: 5%

   Instructions:

   Some instructors give students a focused topic for their review. Others allow students to pick something that is relevant to the course. When given free range on a review, the first topic that comes to mind isn’t always the best. Try working through various brainstorming activities. Some suggestions are available in Developing Ideas.    
3. Step 3: Check reference materials for background research
   Percent time spent on this step: 5%

   Instructions:

   Background research gives you a foundation for your research topic. You should discover definitions of key terms, understand the key issues, and be aware of important dates and events. Encyclopedias and dictionaries are good examples of resources for background information. 
4. Step 4: Develop a research question
   Percent time spent on this step: 5%

   Instructions:

   Before you jump into writing and researching, consider forming a research question or draft thesis. As you gather sources on the topic, you can refine it.  For ideas, try working through Developing a Thesis Statement.        
5. Step 5: Develop a research strategy
   Percent time spent on this step: 5%

   Instructions:

   A research strategy gives you an organized framework for conducting your research. To build your search strategy, you will first need to determine the keywords.

   There are two ways to search using the library. You can use the big search box on the library homepage or you can search in a subject-specific database. Keep in mind that you may not find the right resources on the first try. You may need to revise your search a few times before you find the right set of keywords to describe your topic.     
6. Step 6: Track your reading
   Percent time spent on this step: 15%

   Instructions:

   Because your goal is to critically synthesize material, you will want to read in an engaged manner. This means that you want to be working toward this goal as you read.  By doing prep work while you are reading, you will be able to get a head start. It can be useful to document your reaction to the text. Imagine it is a conversation where you pose questions and comments in the margins. Typically you may want to consider responding to topics such as the author’s intention, the author’s assumption, the author’s method or methodology, the author’s data or source material, the author’s choices or style of presentations, and the author’s contribution to knowledge on the topic.  These notes will lead into your literature review.       
7. Step 7: Continue researching
   Percent time spent on this step: 10%

   Instructions:

   As you examine your sources, you may find that you want to explore a certain idea further. One method of finding more sources is citation chaining, using the bibliography of one relevant article or book to identify other relevant materials. You might also discover new keywords to include in your searches by looking at the subject terms of relevant articles or books.
8. Step 8: Organizing your materials
   Percent time spent on this step: 10%

   Instructions:

   Organization of sources is crucial to the success of any literature review.  Make sure to set aside time for this important step. As a starting point, consider checking out Writing a Critique or Review of a Research Article.
9. Step 9: Draft the sections with which you are most comfortable
   Percent time spent on this step: 15%

   Instructions:

   Start writing with the material and points that you are most comfortable with. Leave the introduction and conclusion till the end. Start by focusing on your strengths.  Remember to stay motivated through this part of the process. Consider the strategies in Staying Motivated to concentrate on the task.        
10. Step 10: Draft your bibliography or works cited list
    Percent time spent on this step: 5%

    Instructions:

    Many students don’t think about their citations till they are getting to the end of the writing process.  By the time that you are done your review, chances are you won’t have a great eye for detail. You may be overwhelmed by the feeling that you just want to be finished. Draft your citations when you feel like procrastinating.  Chances are you’ll be much more attentive.                  
11. Step 11: Review organization and structure of review
    Percent time spent on this step: 10%

    Instructions:

    The longer the document, the more likely we are to move away from our outline, or find that it is not in-depth enough. We may find that we have new ideas and concepts.  Make sure that you haven’t repeated any material. Is your information in the most logical order for your reader? Watch out for presenting your sources based on the order that you read them.       
12. Step 12: Draft introduction and conclusion
    Percent time spent on this step: 5%

    Instructions:

    Don’t rush through these crucial parts of your literature review.  Think like a reader; these sections help you understand the structure of the text.  Helpful hints for constructing introductions and conclusions can be found in Beginnings and Endings.
13. Step 13: Work through revision checklist
    Percent time spent on this step: 5%

    Instructions:

    Read through your literature review, while looking for your most common errors. Start with the errors that require the most rewriting (run on sentences) and work towards smaller typos (subject verb agreement). Printing your review and reading it aloud to yourself will help you be a more effective editor.  As a starting point, you may want to review Planning for Revision.