"A literature review is a systematic, explicit, and reproducible method for identifying, evaluating, and interpreting the existing body of recorded work produced by researchers, scholars, and practitioners. The scholarship and research on which you base the review come from individuals' diverse professions including health, education, psychology, business, finance, law, and social services." - Fink in Conducting Research Literature Reviews

Week Five PW5 - Continue writing literature review and searching databases, connect with content expert(s) on committee

Rationale - This week continues the searching and writing of the literature review. Doing this part well at the proposal stage will save a lot of time later. However, keep in mind that the literature review is never really done. I often tell my students that the last thing they should do before walking into their defence is to "search the literature one more time!" And, if you are feeling fatigued and fuzzy brained by all this scholarly jargon, go for a brisk walk or swim and you'll find the cobwebs dissipate fast with some extra oxygen ;~).

**Required Readings and Activities

A. Reading:

**Hart, Chaps 7 OR Galvan 8,9 and Appendix 2; Creswell, Chap 3a; Fitzpatrick, Appendices A, D

B. Web and Other Links:

** Freed's short checklist
** Galvan's conprehensive self-editing checklist

C. Experiences/Activities:

** Share your literature search results and writing with the content expert on your committee. Ask them, "Is my coverage of the literature adequate? Have I included the most current research on my topic? the most critical historical pieces? books? the theoretical frameworks connected to my topic? key concepts and definitions? Have I identified the gaps in the literature? How might the literature influence my own research efforts?

D. Discussion Starters/Reflective Journal Topics: (Choose one topic and start or continue a discussion thread.)

1) Respond to the quote at the beginning of PW5. What makes a literature review systematic? explicit? reproducible?

2) How are you finding the writing process? How are you organizing your time? Have you found a support group?