Chapter 6: Reviewing Literature

A.    Checklist for Writing a Literature Review

             Have you:

  • Read quite a few good, relevant reviews
  • Identified the variables in your study
  • Developed a list of synonyms or alternates
  • Placed variables in a Venn diagram
  • Compiled/located citations with abstracts
  • Read abstracts and culled all irrelevant articles
  • Assessed whether you need to dig deeper or focus your review
  • Systematically logged your relevant readings
  • Read and annotated each relevant article
  • Sorted and organized your annotations
  • Developed a potential outline for your literature review
  • Written purposefully
  • Used the literature to back up your arguments
  • Adopted an appropriate style and tone
  • Gotten plenty of feedback
  • Redrafted (maybe several times)