Today we start with the literature review chapter .
start with a brief introduction, about 300 words( the chapter is expected go up to 5000 words for a 20000 word dissertation). The introduction provides information on what type of literature you are going to review,how you are going to do it , brief description of the sources and if not too inconvenient, main authors listed in the review.
Another important point is to specify the time period within which you are selecting the literature review. this depends on the topic you are selecting . It is better to chose last five years , not more than 10 years....and if you can specify why you have chosen this time period the better.
O.K.... now before starting your review , collect all the materials ...do that first and categorise it . If you can place a table specifying what are the areas you are covering , the main authors listed in those areas and corresponding source with year....... brilliant!!
There are some very standard wordings which you are going to use in a literature review ...let me list it down.
1. According to Obama (2011)....( this form is also used in quotations, however please avoid quotations, paraphrase it ).
Note ; use only the surname and no initials.
2. Gates (2008) , observes that ......
3. Blair (2009), criticises this view....
4. Cameron (2010), reflects that ....
5. Sarkozy( 2008), support this view and point out that ....
If don't have most of the above stuff...then some how academicians think that this is not a literature review.
Now use small paragraphs as far as possible, and use headings . Maintain the flow of review starting with the research objective 1 , review topics related to it then move on to research objective 2 , research objective 3 .....
If the evaluator can make out the review of literature for all the research objective then you sure will get more than 60% marks .
The criteria specified by professors are mostly along this line , however listen to the professor or you may miss out their important inputs.
Now please make sure that you have clearly connected all the research objectives and the literature review part is the reflection of your effort .... which is the main parameter for grades if all other sections being descent.
just a suggestion....if you can place a diagram..if and only if you can do it properly ...place it to indicate the structure of your literature review. But if you are not confident forget about it , it can add more harm , if you do it in the wrong way.
Bit busy these days .... so I am stopping here may be u can expect another post today.
