The literature review: A synthesis of studies on any

given topic.
Usually precedes a full-length original study as a
way of introducing the general topic.
Its purpose: To help the reader understand the
background to your study and see how its the next
logical study to be conducted in this domain.
Necessarily, a good literature review requires a
thoroughly researched topic.
Be prepared for a writing process. Do not attempt to
write a literature review over night. This process takes
weeks and months. Yes, months.

There are a number of preliminary

steps to consider:
Determine whether the literature review
will be quantitative (must be theory-driven)
or qualitative. Either choice will determine
your emphasis on statistics.
Topic selection and narrowing.
Research, research, research . . .

Work with your professor and/or research project

mentor to select your topic.
Examine a wide array of resources for ideas on
topic selection:
Textbooks
Titles and abstracts of other articles
Broad theories (as areas for exploration)
Remember to brainstorm with other individuals.

Do not develop an outline at this stage. Research first.

Outline later.
Use RefWorks to help you keep your research organized.
Be professional in your selection of sources.
Peer-reviewed articles are a BIG deal.
Databases are an enormous resource for a literature
review assignment.
Abstract databases are helpful; if used, be sure to order
articles. You cant cite from mere abstracts in your
paper. You must read and cite the entire article.
Cast your net wide.
Remember to use your databases thesaurus to explore
more options for research.

Ensure your information is both accurate and

unbiased.
Stick to peer reviewed sources only. (Its worth
repeating. )
Some Internet sources can be very up-to-date and
therefore can be especially useful if statistics are
required. (FedStats.gov, state government Web
sites, etc.)
Be guarded against any research that claims to
prove an idea.
Consider each studys methods, measurements, and
significance to evaluate whether you should use it.

Organization is key to the construction of an effective

literature review.
Let your outline flow from your research.
Good organization begins with reliable research.
Take thorough research notes. Begin grouping your sources
by topic, theories, and chronology.
Pay extremely good attention to key definitions as you do
your research.
Establish which studies are going to be most important for
your review; take more thorough notes on these studies.
However, avoid too many quotations in your notes.
Maximum 1-2 quotations! Learn how to paraphrase well.
Use RefWorks to keep all the information organized.

Create a topic outline before you begin drafting

In your literature reviews Introduction:
Identify the topic
Establish the topics importance
Define any crucial terms
Engage in any theoretical discussions that are
necessary for the logic of your literature review
Arrange the raw research. This part of outlining will be
considerably easier if youve done a good job organizing
the data ahead of time.
Remember as you outline: Logical consistency and
flow are vital!

Follow your topic outline as you write.

Develop and maintain a logical progression
Demonstrate consistencies in and relationships
between the literature youve studied.
Likewise, emphasize the stronger studies
(e.g., have better measurements or more
consistent methods) over ones that are weaker.
Make the implications of your information and any
suggestions for further research as specific as
possible.

Researchers have conducted studies about siblings of special

needs and autistic children because this group is vulnerable to
adjustment difficulties (Cuskelly, 1999). In fact, specialists have
compared the sibling-autism relationship to the MR relationship.
They have also studied the importance of the family, and
particularly the mother, in this relationship. In addition, Kaminsky
and Dewey (2001) found that the autism-sibling relationship is
characterized by less intimacy and pro-social behavior. This study
likewise reports that these relationships were marked by fewer
instances of quarreling. While this phenomenon may occur
because of the unique situation of the autism-sibling relationship,
less fighting is also a positive illustration of a relationship marked
by more admiration. Furthermore, Rivers and Stoneman (2003)
define this relationship as asymmetrical. These results are also
similar to the MR-sibling relationship, as reported by Knott, et al.
(1995). Rivers and Stoneman (2003) reveal, too, that parents
worry about the autism-sibling relationship in their families. The
importance of the familys influence on the autism-sibling
relationship is very useful for this research study and thus, will be
discussed in the conclusion of the literature review.

Unprofessional language: Avoid the

appearance of cheekiness or emotional appeal.
Dont plagiarize! Be extremely careful with your
paraphrasing.
Too many quotations: Only quote those
elements which need the utmost precision.
Lack of Fluency and Cohesiveness: Your
literature review should not read like a list of
facts.
Show connections between the literature
Develop your thesis in the paper itself.

Thank you.
Any
questions ??????