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The Literature Review

Six Steps to Success

Fourth Edition
By: Lawrence A. Machi, Brenda T. McEvoy

The latest edition features new graphics illustrating the pioneering six-step model, tips for writing in the early stages, and new learning tools and reflection sections.

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Product Details

Grade Level: PreK-12
ISBN: 9781071852903
Published By: Corwin
Year: 2022
Page Count: 264
Publication date: January 03, 2022

Price: $39.95

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Description

The essential guide—updated, expanded, and easier to use than ever.

Creating a successful literature review can be a daunting task, which is why so many researchers have relied on previous editions of this book to make the process more manageable. Using the six-step model, you’ll work seamlessly to narrow your research topic, focus your literature search, negotiate the myriad of books, periodicals, and reports about your topic—and, of course, write the review.

Updated, expanded, and reorganized to improve ease of use, the fourth edition of this bestselling handbook includes:

New and improved graphics ideal for visualizing the process
More explanations and tips, especially for writing in the early stages
An expanded range of learning tools
Additional reflection sections to direct metacognitive activities
Four new reference supplements

This pioneering book has provided countless graduate students and researchers with a road map to success. Its model takes you through the logical progression needed for producing a quality literature review—while taking the mystery out of the process.

Author(s)

Lawrence A. Machi

Lawrence A. Machi is a Professor Emeritus of Organizational Leadership at the University of La Verne, in La Verne, California. He holds an MA in curriculum development and an Ed.D. in organizational leadership. He has taught research methods and design and has chaired doctoral dissertation research in addition to teaching classes in organizational development. He has extensive experience in higher education, and prior to his tenure at La Verne, he taught in schools of education at the University of San Francisco, St. Mary’s College of California, and Sonoma State University. Dr. Machi has served as a Fulbright Specialist and recently completed his third assignment in Taiwan at National Chung Cheng University, where he currently serves as a visiting professor.

With K–12 experience as well, he has worked as a secondary teacher and served as a school administrator in both secondary and elementary school districts in northern California. He has occupied the roles of vice principal, principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent, frequently consulting with many California school districts and nonprofit organizations. His specialties are in the areas of organizational leadership, finance, negotiations, organizational development, and strategic thinking.

Brenda T. McEvoy

Brenda T. McEvoy taught high school English, history, and science for 36 years. Research skills were always part of her curriculum. For eight years, she worked for the California State Department of Education, leading groups of educators in improving their ability to edit and assess student writing. She has also served as a mentor for beginning English and history teachers. Participation in the California Writing Project extended her knowledge of writing and the difficulties students face when producing a major assignment. She has worked as an editor for several books, focusing on helping writers create work that is clear and logical.

Table of Contents

Literature Review Flow Chart

Preface

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

Introduction: Doing and Producing a Literature Review

Key Vocabulary

Introduction Overview

The Purpose of a Literature Review

The Literature Review Defined

The Literature Review Process

Mindset: Personal Dispositions on Thinking, Doing, and Deciding

The Ethics of Reviewing the Literature

Reflective Oversight

Plan Wisely Before You Begin

Summary

Checklist

Reflective Exercise

1. Step 1: Select and Define a Topic

Key Vocabulary

Chapter Overview

Task 1. Identify a Subject for Study

Task 2. Translate the Personal Interest or Concern Into a Research Query

Task 3. Link the Research Query to the Appropriate Discipline

Task 4. Write the Preliminary Research Topic Statement

Summary

Checklist

Reflective Exercise

2. Step 2: Develop the Tools of Argumentation

Key Vocabulary

Chapter Overview

Concept 1. Building the Case for a Literature Review

Concept 2. Arguments—the Basics

Concept 3. Evaluating the Basic Parts of an Argument

Concept 4. Understanding Claims

Concept 5. Building Evidence

Concept 6. Warrant—Logically Connecting the Evidence to the Claim

Concept 7. Complex Claims

Summary

Checklist

Reflective Exercise

3. Step 3: Search the Literature

Key Vocabulary

Chapter Overview

Task 1. Select the Literature to Review

Task 2. Conduct a Literature Search

Task 3. Refine Your Topic

Summary

Checklist

Reflective Exercise

4. Step 4: Survey the Literature

Key Vocabulary

Chapter Overview

Task 1. Assemble the Collected Data

Task 2. Organize the Information

Task 3. Analyze the Patterns of Data

Summary

Checklist

Reflective Exercise

5. Step 5: Critique the Literature

Key Vocabulary

Chapter Overview

What Is a Literature Critique?

Concept 1. Making the Case for the Literature Review

Concept 2. Descriptive Argument Patterns: Factual Reasoning

Concept 3. Implicative Argument Patterns: Implicative Reasoning

Concept 4. The Implicative Argument: Nine Basic Patterns

Concept 5. Backing

Doing a Critique of the Literature: Building the Advocacy Argument

Task 1. Determining the Implicative Logic Pattern Inferred by the Topic of Study

Task 2. Reframe Claims to Meet the Prerequisite Conditions Identified by the Selected Logic Type

Task 3. Build the Advocacy Argument

Concept 6. Fallacies

Concept 7. The Case Is Everything

Summary

Checklist

Reflective Exercise

6. Step 6: Write the Review

Key Vocabulary

The Writing Process: Overview

Task 1. Write to Understand

Task 2. Write to Be Understood

Style Manuals

Checklist

Reflective Exercise

Last Words

Supplements

Supplement A The Role of the Literature Review

Supplement B Literature Review 101

Supplement C Writing a Journal

Supplement D SQRRR

Glossary

References and Further Reading

Index

Reviews

This book is clearly outlined with easy-to-understand steps supported by wonderful visuals. The key vocabulary, tips section, and checklist all provide tremendous support to any reader wanting to take the needed steps to write a meaningful literature review. This book provides sections that are concise and to the point, making it very easy for readers to skim and refer back to as needed. I commend the authors for presenting such a complex task with so much simplicity. The exercises provided are a great resource for the reader, as well as to a professor who wants to use this book as a text and assign the exercises as class activities . . . I will be sharing this book with colleagues and recommending it to my graduate students. I will also be considering how I can incorporate this book into classes that I teach.

Rebecca Brooks, Associate Professor
California State University San Marcos; Spring Valley, CA

The strengths of The Literature Review include visuals, graphic organizers, checklists, practice activities, chapter structure, and glossary.

Jennifer Shettel, Professor of Literacy Education
Millersville University; Lititz, PA

Major strengths are the detail and explicitness of the narrative. Everything is spelled out and there are lots of graphics to present a visual support for the content. The book does not skip anything but also does not talk down to the reader.

Lori Helman, Professor, Curriculum & Instruction
University of Minnesota; Minneapolis, MN

Clear, thorough, accessible, easy to read with good examples. Love the mapping in Step Three! The authors do an excellent job of discussing ideas, strategies, and tips. Logical, clear, and helpful conclusions are made throughout.

Linda R. Vogel, Professor of Education Leadership
University of Northern Colorado; Greeley, CO

There is a clear framework for critically thinking about and applying a 6-step process for conducting a literature review . . . Unlike any other book, it provides a deep dive examination of how to approach and complete a high-quality literature review via a systematic critical thinking process.

Dr. Jacqueline Thousand, Professor Emerita
California State University, San Marcos, San Marcos, CA

Other Titles in: Staff Development & Professional Learning | Administration & Leadership | Data-Driven Decision Making

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Related Resources

Step 1: Select and Define a Topic [Book excerpt]