Social Work

What is a literature review? What purpose does it serve in research? What should you expect when writing one? Find out here. (Thanks to North Carolina State University Libraries)

The literature review is an essential part of a research paper. It informs the reader about the former and current trends in thinking on a topic, the research that has already been done and has not been done, and gaps in the literature. That gap is the perfect opportunity to introduce your research and explain how it advances knowledge in the field, supports or refutes other research, and suggest paths for further research. (Thanks to University of South Florida Libraries)

A key part of any research paper is the literature review section. Learn how to research, structure and write this important part of your project. (Thanks to San Jose State University, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library)

This document will explain what a literature review is and why you need to do one; define the steps in a literature search and a literature review; and give you an overview of where to look for appropriate
literature.

These three videos are short (3-4 min.) and cover the following topics:

1. Searching and Selecting Topics: Range of resources -- Research as a non-linear process -- Research strategies -- Selection criteria -- Setting research boundaries -- Help and support.

2. Positioning Sources: Strategies for starting the writing process -- Evaluating sources for credibility, quality, relevance -- Incorporating sources.

3. Integrating Sources: Why we cite -- Good research is dependent on the works of others -- Direct quotation -- Paraphrasing -- Summarizing