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1、 DefinitionA literature review is both a summary and explanation of the complete and current state of knowledge on a limited topic as found in academic books and journal articles. There are two kinds of literature reviews you might write at university: one that students are asked to write as a stand
2、-alone assignment in a course, often as part of their training in the research processes in their field, and the other that is written as part of an introduction to, or preparation for, a longer work, usually a thesis or research report. The focus and perspective of your review and the kind of hypot
3、hesis or thesis argument you make will be determined by what kind of review you are writing. One way to understand the differences between these two types is to read published literature reviews or the first chapters of theses and dissertations in your own subject area. Analyse the structure of thei
4、r arguments and note the way they address the issues.Purpose of the Literature Review It gives readers easy access to research on a particular topic by selecting high quality articles or studies that are relevant, meaningful, important and valid and summarizing them into one complete report. It prov
5、ides an excellent starting point for researchers beginning to do research in a new area by forcing them to summarize, evaluate, and compare original research in that specific area. It ensures that researchers do not duplicate work that has already been done. 你所整理的文章中作者主要观察的重点是什么 It can provide clues
6、 as to where future research is heading or recommend areas on which to focus. 现在的研究都到了什么程度 It highlights key findings. It identifies inconsistencies, gaps and contradictions in the literature. It provides a constructive analysis of the methodologies and approaches of other researchers. 前面研究者的方法和途径Co
7、ntent of the ReviewIntroductionThe introduction explains the focus and establishes the importance of the subject. It discusses what kind of work has been done on the topic and identifies any controversies within the field or any recent research which has raised questions about earlier assumptions. I
8、t may provide background or history. It concludes with a purpose or thesis statement. In a stand-alone literature review, this statement will sum up and evaluate the state of the art in this field of research; in a review that is an introduction or preparatory to a thesis or research report, it will
9、 suggest how the review findings will lead to the research the writer proposes to undertake.BodyOften divided by headings/subheadings, the body summarizes and evaluates the current state of knowledge in the field. It notes major themes or topics, the most important trends, and any findings about whi
10、ch researchers agree or disagree. If the review is preliminary to your own thesis or research project, its purpose is to make an argument that will justify your proposed research. Therefore, it will discuss only that research which leads directly to your own project.ConclusionThe conclusion summariz
11、es all the evidence presented and shows its significance. If the review is an introduction to your own research, it highlights gaps and indicates how previous research leads to your own research project and chosen methodology. If the review is a stand-alone assignment for a course, it should suggest
12、 any practical applications of the research as well as the implications and possibilities for future research.Nine Steps to Writing a Literature Review1. Find a working topic.Look at your specific area of study. Think about what interests you, and what is fertile ground for study. Talk to your profe
13、ssor, brainstorm, and read lecture notes and recent issues of periodicals in the field.2. Review the literature. Using keywords, search a computer database. It is best to use at least two databases relevant to your discipline. Remember that the reference lists of recent articles and reviews can lead
14、 to valuable papers. Make certain that you also include any studies contrary to your point of view. 3. Focus your topic narrowly and select papers accordingly.Consider the following: What interests you? What interests others? What time span of research will you consider?Choose an area of research th
15、at is due for a review.4. Read the selected articles thoroughly and evaluate them. What assumptions do most/some researchers seem to be making? What methodologies do they use? - what testing procedures, subjects, material tested? Evaluate and synthesize the research findings and conclusions drawn. N
16、ote experts in the field: names/labs that are frequently referenced. Note conflicting theories, results, methodologies. Watch for popularity of theories and how this has/has not changed over time. 5. Organize the selected papers by looking for patterns and by developing sub- topics.Note things such as: Findings that are common/contested Two or three important trends in the research The most influential theories6. Develop a working thesis.Write
