As you begin writing a literature review, it is helpful to consider what a literature review is, why it is essential to the research process, how it is different from other sections of a dissertation, how it shapes your work, and what its various components are. In this first of two Discussions this week, you will analyze the central role of the literature review and its required elements.

To prepare for this Discussion:

• Review Chapter 1, "The Dissertation" (pp. 1-10), in the Stadtlander text.
• Review the PowerPoint presentation How to Write an Effective Literature Review.
• Review the resources found on the Walden University Writing Center: "Basics of Literature Reviews."
• Review the blog post "When Is a Literature Review a Literature Review?"
• Consider the purpose of the literature review and the components of the literature review.

RESOURCES

 

Stadtlander, L. M. (2015). Finding your way to a Ph.D.: Advice from the dissertation mentor. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

• Chapter 1, "The Dissertation" (pp. 1-10)
• Martinez, S. (n.d.). How to write an effective literature review Download How to write an effective literature review.Links to an external site. Retrieved June 5, 2016, from http://www.dphu.org/uploads/attachements/books/books_71_0.pdf

McIndoo, T. (2014, July 8). Defining a gap in the literature: On proving the presence of an absenceLinks to an external site. [Blog post]. Walden University Writing Center. Retrieved from http://waldenwritingcenter.blogspot.com/2014/07/defining-gap-in-literature-on-proving.html

Patterson, J. (2012, February 16). When is a literature review a literature review?Links to an external site. [Blog post]. Walden University Writing Center. Retrieved from http://waldenwritingcenter.blogspot.com/2012/02/when-is-literature-review-literature.html

Walden University Writing Center. (2015b). Basics of literature reviewsLinks to an external site.. Retrieved from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/assignments/literaturereview

 

Prepare an analysis of the purpose of the literature review. Also, list three key components that need to be included in a literature review, and explain why you chose these components.