Working-with-Literature

O'Leary, Z. (2004) The Essential Guide to Doing Research. London: Sage Chapter Six
The Importance of Working with Literature
Working with literature is an essential part of the research process that:
generates ideas
helps form significant questions
is instrumental in the process of research design

O'Leary, Z. (2004) The Essential Guide to Doing Research. London: Sage Chapter Six
Working with literature

O'Leary, Z. (2004) The Essential Guide to Doing Research. London: Sage Chapter Six
Finding literature
Finding relevant literature can be made easier if you are able to readily access and draw on a wide variety of resources such as:
reference materials
books
journals
grey literature
official publications
archives

O'Leary, Z. (2004) The Essential Guide to Doing Research. London: Sage Chapter Six
Finding literature
Don’t go it alone!!
When looking for literature be sure to call on the experts such as:
librarians
supervisors
other researchers
practitioners

O'Leary, Z. (2004) The Essential Guide to Doing Research. London: Sage Chapter Six
Intersecting Areas of Literature

O'Leary, Z. (2004) The Essential Guide to Doing Research. London: Sage Chapter Six
Managing the literature
It also pays to be organized and diligent when it comes to keeping references.
Keep and file copies of relevant books, articles, etc.
Avoid lending out your ‘only copies’
Find out about the recommended referencing style and use it from the start
Consider using bibliographic file management software such as Procite, Endnote, or Reference Manager

O'Leary, Z. (2004) The Essential Guide to Doing Research. London: Sage Chapter Six
Annotating Sources
Annotating your sources provides you with a record of relevant literature. It should include:
the citation
articulation of the author and audience
a short summary
critical commentary
notes on relevance that remind you of the significance, accuracy, and quality of the sources cited

O'Leary, Z. (2004) The Essential Guide to Doing Research. London: Sage Chapter Six
Using the Literature
Literature is used for disparate purposes throughout the research process. Whether it be:
focusing interests
defining questions
arguing a rationale
theoretically informing your study
developing appropriate design, or writing a formal literature review
every stage of the research process demands literary engagement

O'Leary, Z. (2004) The Essential Guide to Doing Research. London: Sage Chapter Six
The Formal Literature Review
Most find the writing of a literature review a difficult task that takes patience, practice, drafts, and redrafts

O'Leary, Z. (2004) The Essential Guide to Doing Research. London: Sage Chapter Six
The Formal Literature Review
The formal literature review is a very specific piece of writing designed to:
inform your readers of your topic
establish your credibility as a researcher
argue the need for, and relevance of, your work

O'Leary, Z. (2004) The Essential Guide to Doing Research. London: Sage Chapter Six
Reviewing the Literature vs.
‘The Literature Review’

O'Leary, Z. (2004) The Essential Guide to Doing Research. London: Sage Chapter Six
Writing your Literature Review
A good literature review is an argument that is more purposeful than a simple review of relevant literature

O'Leary, Z. (2004) The Essential Guide to Doing Research. London: Sage Chapter Six
Writing your Literature Review
Writing a good review requires you to:
read a few good reviews
write critical annotations
develop a structure
write purposefully
use the literature to back up your arguments
review and write throughout the research process
get feedback
and be prepared to redraft