Library guides: Education (Postgraduates): Literature reviews

'How to' books

The Literature Review: 6 steps to success by Lawrence A. Machi; Brenda T. McEvoy
ISBN: 9781071852903
Publication Date: 2022
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.
Surviving and Thriving in Postgraduate Research by Ray Cooksey; Gael McDonald
ISBN: 9789811377464
Publication Date: 2019
This handbook provides an in-depth exploration of the entire journey of postgraduate research in the social and behavioural sciences, from enrolment to its culmination in the form of a thesis, dissertation or portfolio, and beyond. It is written in an accessible and example-rich style, offering practical and concrete advice in virtually all areas.
Postgraduate Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide for PhD and Master's Students and Their Supervisors by Aceme Nyika
ISBN: 9781910190753
Publication Date: 2018
This concise handbook is intended for postgraduate students and their supervisors. The author has travelled the postgraduate journey (PhD, MPH and PDHE) and experienced all the challenges and difficulties that most postgraduate students are likely to encounter.

How to write a literature review

A playlist of 7 videos all about how to start writing your literature review.

SCU Literature Review Guide

Using mind maps

As you review books, journals and other literature, make a list of the keywords and search terms that you have used. It is often useful to list the terms that aren't useful or relevant, as well as the ones that are.

You may wish to create a mind map of all of the terms that apply to your topic before conducting your literature search. This mind map can then be used to guide your literature search, and ensure that you discuss pertinent concepts in the review itself.

This mind map and its sections can also be the subsections that you use for storing the results of your research.

Hint: Use the Groups function in EndNote to create sub-groups of your EndNote Library that match your literature review sections.

Many mind mapping tools are available on the web.

Learning Zone Mind Mapping Quick Guide