Notes

a. Think about what questions other researchers have asked,
what methods they have used, and what is your understanding of their findings and, where stated, their
recommendations. Do not be afraid to challenge the conclusions of prior research. Assess what you believe is
missing and state how previous research has failed to adequately examine the issue that your study addresses
b. Since a literature review is information dense, it is crucial that this section is intelligently structured to enable a
reader to grasp the key arguments underpinning your study in relation to that of other researchers. A good
strategy is to break the literature into "conceptual categories" [themes] rather than systematically describing
groups of materials one at a time. Consider using your sub-questions as a guide for breaking up your review of the literature.
C. To help frame your proposal's literature review, here are the "five C’s" of writing a literature review:
i. Cite, so as to keep the primary focus on the literature pertinent to your research problem.
ii. Compare the various arguments, theories, methodologies, and findings expressed in the literature:
what do the authors agree on? Who applies similar approaches to analyzing the research problem?
iii. Contrast the various arguments, themes, methodologies, approaches, and controversies expressed in
the literature: what are the major areas of disagreement, controversy, or debate?
iv. Critique the literature: Which arguments are more persuasive, and why? Which approaches, findings,
methodologies seem most reliable, valid, or appropriate, and why? Pay attention to the verbs you use to
describe what an author says/does [e.g., asserts, demonstrates, argues, etc.].
v. Connect the literature to your own area of research and investigation: how does your own work draw
upon, depart from, synthesize, or add a new perspective to what has been said in the literature?