Category Archives: literature reviews

why​ is writing a literature review such hard work? part two

Posted on July 2, 2018 by

Yes, some examiners do ask doctoral researchers to change their literature review to show how they are “located” in the text. OK, let’s pretend this is you. What do those pesky examiners mean exactly? At one level this is a … Continue reading →

Posted in academic writing, Joseph Harris, literature review, text work/identity work, transforming knowledge | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

why is writing a literature review such hard work? part one

Posted on June 11, 2018 by

Yes, a literature review means reading a lot. Yes, a literature review means sorting out how to bring the texts all together, summarising and synthesising them. And yes, there are lots of ways to do this. But this post is … Continue reading →

Posted in academic writing, knowledge domains, literature review, literature reviews | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

quick lit – rapid evidence reviewing

Posted on May 14, 2018 by

This is one of a very occasional set of posts about some of my own academic work that you might find useful. A colleague and I have just undertaken what is called in the (academic) trade a Rapid Evidence Review. … Continue reading →

Posted in academic writing, literature mapping, literature review, literature reviews, Rapid Evidence Review | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

putting the search into research – starting the phd

Posted on October 19, 2017 by

Getting through a doctorate requires a finely honed information practice. You have to become pretty good at summarising, synthesising and categorising ‘stuff’ – otherwise known as ‘the literatures’.  But you also have to keep track of what you’ve read, and … Continue reading →

Posted in academic writing, keywords, literature review, literature reviews, research, searching, starting the PhD | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

literatures work – and a pair of new shoes…

Posted on September 25, 2017 by

It’s September and the Autumn equinox. To mark the occasion, I took my new pair of lace-up boots out of their box and gave them their first wearing/airing. Now anyone who knows me knows that I always have a pair … Continue reading →

Posted in literature mapping, literature review, literature reviews, mapping, reading, scan-reading, scoping, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

the citation dump – and three more citation tactics to avoid – #thesisknowhow

Posted on September 18, 2017 by

All doctoral researchers know they must locate their work in the literatures. They also know that they must refer to the relevant literatures when they make an argument. Unsubstantiated claims are not acceptable, unless of course they are what is … Continue reading →

Posted in argument, citation, citation dump, citations, literature review, literature reviews, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

working with literatures? take a hands on hips stance

Posted on August 31, 2017 by

Hand on hips. That’s the stance to take with literatures work. Hands on hips is a metaphor. Think about times when you have put your hands on your hips, stood back and looked at something. Your gaze is not neutral … Continue reading →

Posted in hands on hips, literature mapping, literature review, literature reviews, literature themes | Tagged , , | 3 Comments