集结号4元手机短信充值:怎样写Literature Review

Write a Literature Review

1. Introduction

Not to be confused with a book review, a literature review surveys scholarly articles, books and other sources (e.g. dissertations, conference proceedings) relevant to a particular issue, area of research, or theory, providing a description, summary, and critical evaluation of each work. The purpose is to offer an overview of significant literature published on a topic.

（查找文章、书籍和其他的一些资源，只要和所要讲的问题相关均可，主要目的是列举出跟所讨论话题相关的文献资料。）

2. Components

Similar to primary research, development of the literature review requires four stages:（文献综述分为四个部分）

• · （提出问题：你将要讨论的话题是什么）

Problem formulation—which topic or field is being examined and what are its component issues?

• · （查询资料：找寻所有与话题相关的材料）

Literature search—finding materials relevant to the subject being explored

• · （评估资料：看看那些材料对话题的理解很有作用）

Data evaluation—determining which literature makes a significant contribution to the understanding of the topic

• · （分析和阐释）

Analysis and interpretation—discussing the findings and conclusions of pertinent literature

Literature reviews should comprise the following elements:（相关因素）

• · An overview of the subject, issue or theory under consideration, along with the objectives of the literature review
• · （主题、话题、理论的整体陈述，再加上文献综述的意义）
• · Division of works under review into categories (e.g. those in support of a particular position, those against, and those offering alternative theses entirely)
• · （文献分类，支持的、反对的、或者是另起炉灶的）
• · Explanation of how each work is similar to and how it varies from the others
• · （各个文献之间的相似之处和不同之处）
• · Conclusions as to which pieces are best considered in their argument, are most convincing of their opinions, and make the greatest contribution to the understanding and development of their area of research
• · （哪些观点最好、最有说服力、对研究的理解和发展贡献最大）

In assessing each piece, consideration should be given to:

• · Provenance（来源）—what are the author's credentials（信任书、证书）? Are the author's arguments supported by evidence (e.g. primary historical material, case studies, narratives, statistics, and recent scientific findings)?
• · （资料来源，作者是如何证实自己的观点的）
• · Objectivity—is the author's perspective even-handed or prejudicial? Is contrary data considered or is certain pertinent information ignored to prove the author's point?
• · （资料是否客观，作者的观点是否公正客观，还是带有主观偏见）
• · Persuasiveness—which of the author's theses are most/least convincing?
• · （资料是否有说服力，哪些最有说服力，那些最没有说服力）
• · Value—are the author's arguments and conclusions convincing? Does the work ultimately contribute in any significant way to an understanding of the subject?
• · （材料价值，作者的观点和结论是否具有说服力，能不能有助于很好地理解话题）

3. Definition and Use/Purpose

A literature review may constitute an essential chapter of a thesis or dissertation, or may be a self-contained review of writings on a subject. In either case, its purpose is to:

• · Place each work in the context of its contribution to the understanding of the subject under review
• · Describe the relationship of each work to the others under consideration
• · Identify new ways to interpret, and shed light on any gaps in, previous research
• · Resolve conflicts amongst seemingly contradictory previous studies
• · Identify areas of prior scholarship to prevent duplication of effort
• · Point the way forward for further research
• · Place one's original work (in the case of theses or dissertations) in the context of existing literature

The literature review itself, however, does not present new primary scholarship.