When it comes to literature reviews, the entire process can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with previous research on a given topic. In order to produce a quality thesis however, you have to be able to include a literature review. These tips will help you write a PhD literary review quickly.
Choose Your Topic for Research
You have to know where you are going before you can get there. Choose research areas that you want to focus on, and make sure to only look for literature that pertains to those areas so that you do not lose focus or waste time on literature that does not support your thesis.
Find Appropriate Literature
Designate specific times in which you plan to research, and search bibliographies of relevant books and articles on the areas you have chosen. Locate abstracts, books, and journal entries covering those areas, and make sure you have printed or hard copies of the literature that you find. It is a good idea to put a time limit on the amount of time that you will search for relevant information to keep yourself on track. If the information you find is too technical, look for non-academic articles and books on the subject to gain a better understanding.
Locate and Copy Excerpts
Complete a skim-through of the information that you find, paying attention to any claims, findings, and conclusions mentioned in the works. Make sure to note any gaps or potential follow up areas mentioned in the research materials. When you locate information or excerpts that are applicable to your research areas, note them in a separate file so that you can find them later.
Look for Quality Information
When researching, make sure to pay attention to the articles and books that show they are repeatedly cited. This will ensure that you are using high quality information to support your thesis. Separate the information that you have collected based on their validity and merit in relation to your chosen topics to determine the materials that will provide the most benefit.
Pay Attention to History
Literature reviews are designed to provide you with information regarding the history of your chosen subject, and the authors of these pieces should be included in your notes and research materials. This will provide you with plenty of options for continuing your research, and allows you to determine areas that present conflicting ideas, disagreements, or controversies.
Organize Your Research
After completing the previous steps, you should begin to gain a better understanding of the areas on which you are focusing. Once you understand the relevant ideas, consider any additional angles that you may choose to cover in your thesis. Separate information that applies to these angles and organize them in relation to where they fit within your chosen topics.
Once you have compiled the literature that is relevant to your topic, begin writing your literature review by focusing on the key information you have found, providing examples from your research that bolsters your area of study.
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