Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Literature Review Format: Book Critique Examples in Focus

Students should be able to write any essay on any topic. Literature reviews are ones of the most common essays. The purpose of book critique examples is to develop critical, objective, and unbiased thinking in students. So, what steps should a student take to succeed in writing these kinds of essays? How to start writing book critique examples? The following tips may help at solving these problems. Specifics of book critique examples introduction Before writing any book critique example, one should read a book.

The book may be suggested by a teacher, if no, one should choose a book he/she really likes. However, it is important to remember that the approach to writing should be objective but not subjective. When one found out all positive and negative points of the book, he/she may get down to reviewing

1.It is advisable to start the paper with an interesting citation. The purpose of the opening phrase is to make the reader intrigued. One should not limit his/her creativity and imagination at this point.

2.The next tip is to mention the author's ideas. Consider the following questions: Has the author succeeded in transferring his/her message to the reader? What is the author's attitude towards the main characters? What is the problem raised in the book? What is the genre of the book? It is essential to provide some background information about the book and the author.

Who is the author? When was he born? When was the book issued? Main body and conclusion

1.Do not indulge in writing all details of the narration. The purpose of this paper is to provide critique. Just write a small summary so that the reader would understand what the book is about.

2.Outline positive and negative aspects of the book. But remember to be objective.

3.Close to the end state personal opinion about this book. Is it worth reading? Or would it be a waste of time?

4.Finally, check the paper for mistakes.

Article Source

Monday, November 29, 2010

Thesis and literature review writing service with excellent professionalism guaranteed

To select them is the right choices for various reasons since writers strive for the originality in the content they develop and providing a top quality in writing. Their value added service by providing extraordinary support in composing the data in the required format. Writers make every effort to achieve deadline in a short span of time. Literature review is a writing or method that endeavors to aim at the critical points of particular topics. Writers provide an excellent service provider for writing review articles with an extraordinary professionalism that you could ever dream off. These reviews are a derived sources and it doesn’t report of any fresh or unique trial work. Writers help you in writing dissertation i.e. describing the advancements in a new idea of observation that is resulted from research and literature review works. Writers make your life easier by providing an excellent ideas on how to start with your work, keeping up you deadline rigid for the review works. Writers also help if there is someone who can lend you a helping hand to expedite your literature review works. The pricing there offer are very reasonable which everyone can choose for the service they offer. The prices are varied for people according to their graduation like undergraduate, master and PhD.

The professional writers collectively working in a team has all the basic essential knowledge in writing style and skill in analyzing the service requested, designing its structure, and presenting academic papers. The principal point which service provider focus upon is on the quality of the article written and they continuously strive towards enhancing their professionalism to best compete with other service provider in writing in this entire global space. What make them so special for you choose their literature review service? It is their skill in developing the reviews survey piece of writing, manuscript. So its time to grab in their writing services they offer.

Article Source

Friday, November 26, 2010

Literature Review

Literature review is a very important part of the research writing process. It helps the researcher in mainly two ways

1) in collection of data needed for research

2) It helps the researcher to be familiarize with the related work

already been done by the other researchers.

Different kinds of information are required in research. This can be classified into the following two types of information:

1) Primary data: Primary data are the actual information which is received by the researcher for study from the actual field of research. These data are attained by means of questionnaires and schedules. In some fields primary data are collected through interview and observation methods. The observation method, for collecting primary data, may be both participant and non participant. Such data are known as primary because they are attained by the researcher from the field of research directly and for the first time. Participant observation sometimes unravels such primary data which can not be known by any other means. Literature review doesn’t help too much in collection of primary data.

2) Secondary data: Secondary data are the information which is attained indirectly. The researcher doesn’t attain them himself or directly. Such data are attained generally from published and unpublished material. Secondary data are gathered from information collected from the individuals and institutions through personal diaries, letters and survey documents etc. The secondary data again are gathered through two types of sources. The first source is the personal documents such as diaries, letters, photographs etc. The other sources are the public documents such as books, manuscripts records, census reports, reports of surveys by private institutions and various information published in newspapers and magazines. According to Lundberg, the information achieved from inscriptions on stones and objects of excavations may also be included in secondary data. Literature review is very important in collecting these types of data.

At the time of literature review the researcher comes to know about the different work already been done in this field. This helps him in making the plan for his own research work. The advantages of this approach are mainly as follow:

1) Integral study: The study of a problem in a particular subject and through a particular method is generally one sided and limited. A particular approach studies only a particular aspect of a problem. The integral approach, on the other hand, leads to an integral and total study. Thus, it is particularly useful for a deep and all round study of a problem.

2) Elimination of errors: There is a possibility of several errors in the study of a problem in a particular approach. On the other hand, if the same problem is simultaneously studied by several approaches, the possibility of error diminishes. It is so, since firstly, it attempts to study all the aspects and secondly, the problem is studied in several ways. This makes literature review much advantageous.

Literature review is undoubtedly a very important part of the research writing process and if it is done well then completion of the project will become easier.

Article Source

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Literature Review

Literature review is an important section of the research paper and a lot of hard work is needed for making a proper literature review. Literature review will give an insights about the different work already been done in the similar field of study. It will also work as a rich source of information for doing research.

There are two kinds of data can be collected from the field. One is the primary data and another is secondary type of data. Primary data are the fresh data collected directly from the field. They are first hand data. Since primary data are collected specially for a particular purpose, extra care is taken to collect all the required data with required degree of accuracy. Primary data are reliable, complete and fresh. Primary data are costly. Their collection consumes more time and labor than the collection of secondary data, especially when the population is vast. If an investigator collects information regarding births and deaths directly from the people, the data are primary data. Important methods of collecting primary data are- (i) Direct personal interview (ii) Indirect personal interview (iii) Information through correspondents (iv) Method of questionnaire (v) Method of schedule.

Secondary data are the data which the investigator does not collect directly from the field. They are the data which he borrows from others who have collected them for some other purposes. Since secondary data are primarily collected for some other purpose, they may not contain all the required information. The degree of accuracy may be different. They, generally, are not as dependable as primary data. Secondary data are cheap. Specially, when the population is vast and funds available are meager, secondary data are preferred. Collection of secondary data consumes less time and labor than collection of primary data. If an investigator collects the required data of births and deaths from the city corporation office record, the data are secondary data. At the time of collection of secondary data, reliability of the source and validity of the data should be verified. The data should contain all the necessary information with required degree of accuracy. Important sources of secondary data are-

(A) Published Sources-

1) Reports and publications of Central and State Government Departments.

2) Reports and publications of international bodies such as UNO, IMF etc.

3) Publications of Banks, Research Institutions, Administrative Offices etc.

4) Magazines and News papers.

(B) Unpublished Sources-

1) Reports maintained at Government Offices, Municipal Offices etc.

2) Records maintained by Research Institutions, Research Scholar etc.

Literature review does not only mean collection of data. You need to collect quality information about the previous works already been done in the similar field of research. That means in literature review the collected information will mostly be of secondary types. You need to do through study of all available research dossiers, journals, magazines and all other available papers to review similar research works. A good literature review will increase the gravity of your research paper and it will help you in giving the direction of your research.

Article Source

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Six Ways and Your Literature Dissertation Review is Done

f you want to prove the accuracy of your paper, you need to put much effort on your literature dissertation review. So, let us first discuss what a literature dissertation review is, it is a summary or register of all the used resources that is related to your dissertation project main theme. Here, we are giving away six surefire ways to that will take you through the difficult process of literature dissertation review stage.

You have to use evidence to prove your credibility:

I won't be wrong if I say that your dissertation review is just like academic research writing. Make sure your interpretation of the used sources is back up totally with the proofs and evidences so that it may enhance your credibility. This will also increase the interest of the reader for he may like the way you are proving your point.

Be very specific in selecting the points:

You need to be very specific while choosing the important points in each source to highlight in the review. Why I am stressing on being selective is because the type of information you will be selecting should directly link up with the literature reviews focus or the main idea. Be it, methodological, thematic or chronological.

Use quotes where necessary otherwise avoid them:

The basic nature of the literature dissertations do not allow the use of detailed quotes and in-depth discussion from the text. So, use it where necessary otherwise try to avoid it as much as possible. Some short quotes that are related to the topic can be used here and there; though if you want to stress on a particular point, but if you really want to use the quotes then ask your instructor.

Remember to synthesize and summarize your sources:

You should summarize and synthesize each and every source at the end of every paragraph and throughout your literature review. This will help to create a better understanding for the reader.

Keep and maintain your own voice:

Literature review usually presents other ideas as well, so here you need to concentrate and maintain your own voice in order to keep it in centre.

Be very cautious when you are paraphrasing:

Often people don't care while writing and fall under the category of plagiarism. This should be avoided as much as possible. One should be very careful while presenting someone else's ideas, it should be his moral and ethical responsibility to define the idea in his own words clearly that doesn't create any problem for you and the real author.

Now, that your draft is completed and it is in your hands, the first thing is to do the revision. Revise your work thoroughly as it will help you trace out the mistakes you had done in it. So check it again and again, and see if it is following the basic outline your instructor has provided you. Make sure you have used the common terminologies so that there is no hindrance in understanding your work and get rid of complicated and unnecessary slang or jargons. The final thing to check is to see if you have documented all your sources in your literature dissertation review and format it in a way that is appropriate for your discipline or taught by your instructor.

Article Source

Monday, November 22, 2010

Attitude of Academic Librarians Towards Marketing of Library Services , a LITERATURE REVIEW

Introduction

New kind of information users and new types of information tools are created by the advanced ICT development every day. Both libraries and librarians have to cope with different aspects of information change like the new wave of ICT development, lack of library staff, demand of more efficient services and needs of users, ascending cost of library services. Libraries must compete with the internet which is now more powerful than ever (Katie, 2004). In this age of advanced information technology there is a need to promote information services that meet the needs of students and faculty member and motivate them to use these services more. Academic libraries need new and more advanced information tools to serve the ascending demand of student that form the audience of the academic library.

As a result of the increased demand for the information service that is provided through the use of information technology the academic libraries has to compete with other information providers and provide better services and promote them with a planned marketing strategyto ensure a continuous flow of financial resources and support. The need to present a well suited self image is essential. Libraries are not different from any other organization that needs more than ever to use marketing as a tool to endure the fast changing world of information (Spalding & Wang, 2006).

The librarians recognition of the concept of marketing and the marketing mix means the insurance for not waisting the marketing effort. The knowledge that librarians have about marketing library service is essential as librarians form the backbone of the library because the main concept of marketing is built around the idea of satisfying the customers and providing the best service available. It is not enough to bring new furneture or new computers or even improve the service and train the library staff to bring more users to the library. The way librarians think and act in regards to promoting library services is as important as any aspect that affect the library performance and future (Helton & Esrock, 1998).

In this regard, the attitude of librarian towards marketing is important as librarians represent the face of the library and manifest its direction. Studying the nature of librarian’s attitude toward the use of marketing in academic libraries can affect the success and failure of any marketing effort in the library, as the idea of using marketing in promoting library services needs a welcoming environment. For that, librarians attitude towards the use of marketing in the library is crucial for the library to succeed in promoting the information services and to guarantee users satisfaction (Katie, 2008). The study of attitude of librarians towards the use of marketing in academic libraries can make a difference in the survival of academic libraries.

Academic libraries more then ever needs the attention and support to be more efficient and resource providing for the students and staff. Studing The attitude of librarians in these libraries towards marketing library services will be helpful to determine the best marketing plane and strategies to follow according to the study results.

Academic libraries at the present time are facing great difficulties in the field of providing information as competition is more aggressive than ever. The increasing use of electronic services is making the academic libraries less needed. Therefore these libraries are in desperate need for a powerful method to promote and market the use of their resources and services. However, the use of business methodologies in libraries is effected by the attitude of librarians. This attitude of librarians can be a major obstacle in the face of marketing library services in academic libraries.

Definitions

Marketing: “Marketing is a stance and an attitude that focuses on meeting the needs of the users. Marketing is a means of ensuring that libraries, librarians and librarianship are integrated into both today’s and tomorrow’s emerging global culture. Marketing is not separate from good practice. It is good practice” (Smith, 1995).

Marketing mix, 4P’s: “Is the development of the product, service or material for the identified target market, and its price, place of distribution and promotional characteristics. Every product has a price and must be made available some place and promoted” (Koonts, 2004, p.250)

Literature Review

The literature available that discuses the attitude of librarians toward the use of marketing methods in libraries in general is rare, there are not many studies about this topic. It is harder to find literature discussing the same topic for academic libraries particularly. While some of the literature relates marketing library services to this topic, but attitude of librarians is another matter that need to be tackled and studied.

Academic libraries have always perceived themselves to be an inherent part of the academic community, that’s why they have often felt they do not have to justify their existence. This is why the academic libraries have begun to understand the need to market themselves and engage in marketing activity only in recent years. Times are changing and academic libraries are facing increasing costs. As a result, they are being forced to justify budget demands to university administrators. This can be a difficult task when some administrators, faculty and students question the need for libraries at all (Neuhaus & Snowden, 2003).

Katie (2008) examined the attitude of library professionals in university libraries in UK. Results of the research reveal that 84.6 % of the librarians and professionals under study have not studied marketing in their schools of library and information science. 94.2 % have not attended any workshop and seminar on marketing of information services and products. More than 94 % of the respondents either agree or strongly agree that the concept of marketing is equally applicable in the field of library and information science and it should form an important component of the curriculum in the library schools. Of the respondents, 84.6 % think that marketing relates not only to selling and advertising but also to customizing the services to serve the user needs in a more fulfilling way, and 82.7 % admit that traditional view of libraries towards marketing has been in terms of promotion only. The positive response to all the statements shows that librarians feel the need of applying the marketing principles in the libraries in an era of global competitiveness and shrinking resources.

From the same study the researchers found that 84.6 % of the population of the study agrees that libraries conduct marketing problem at random rather than develop a consistent program, the lack of consistency in marketing education is crucial as it affect the perspective of librarians towards the use of marketing in libraries. Regarding the marketing mix the overall result were positive in favor of introducing and implementing the basic marketing mix and the four P's of marketing.

Katie (2004) findings in his study reveal that librarians have a positive attitude towards the different aspects of marketing of library information products and services. The problem is that librarians are not getting the chances to apply their lessons into marketing practices and application planning for the library. All librarians in the study agree that ignorance with marketing is responsible for discouraging marketing applications. The study results reflect the need of proper training and teaching of marketing. efforts for increasing librarians awareness and separate financial support are necessary for efficient marketing. Instead of scattered approaches and different styles, a consistent view must be taken.

Shontz, Parker and Parker study (2004) identifies the attitude of public librarians toward the marketing of library services and relate this attitude to selected independent variables. Although most of the respondents had generally positive attitudes toward library marketing there were statistically significant differences between subgroups. For example, more positive attitudes toward marketing were expressed by library administrators. The study proves that librarians who have taken a course in marketing in the past five years hold a more positive attitude toward marketing. And librarians who had taken a course or workshop in marketing and those who perceived marketing positively conceder marketing practice to be a high priority in their libraries. That’s why the authors relate the bad attitude for marketing ‘if it exist’ to the lack of knowledge of marketing. Marketing knowledge and experience also positively correlated with years of library experience. This may indicate that marketing techniques are learned over the course of a librarian’s career, or perhaps late in ones career. Librarians who work in libraries that offer a broader range of services learn to appreciate the importance of making the public fully aware of these services.

Workshops can be an appropriate mechanism for changing certain types of attitudes. The results of Grunenwald, Felicetti and Stewart study (1990) show that participants did learn about marketing and gained a better understanding of library marketing. In addition, participants enjoyed learning about library marketing and were less tending to view marketing as only publicity. The workshop experience also helped participants to realize that marketing has a legitimate place in a library environment. It should, however, be noted that participants attended the workshop on a voluntary basis. As a result, their attitudes toward libraries marketing are likely to be more favorable than attitudes held by librarians in general. Perhaps the individuals who need to learn more about library marketing are not the ones attending workshops. It is possible, however, that the workshop participants can be influential in changing the negative attitudes toward marketing that are held by other librarians. But a note should be made that workshop participation will not result in radical changes in the attitudes of the participants, as a result attitude changes are likely to be gradual.

There is a positive connection between the marketing attitudes and behavior. Nevertheless, professional experience, marketing education, seminars, training courses, personality of individuals, and institutional cultures are factors that could cause marketing attitude and behavior to be in disparity with each other. Many marketing jargons and terminologies such as ‘customers’, ‘profitability’, ‘bottom line’, ‘value-added activities’ and ‘competition’ are increasingly accepted into the LIS landscape which were considered alien in the beginning. The gradual integration of the marketing concepts into LIS sector has influenced the scholarly landscape of the LIS discipline. This new landscape provides both opportunities and challenges for future scholarship and practice in these related disciplines (James, 2008).

The understanding of librarians that the user and user's needs are the main purpose and aim of library services is the key to library marketing and positive attitude of librarians toward marketing library services. In Mills and Lodge study (2006) Thirty-Four academics were interviewed on their information seeking behavior. The concepts of influence and emotional intelligence have been introduced so information professionals can obtain a more clear understanding of the information environment. The paper builds upon research on the information seeking behavior of academics and explores the idea that users select information sources for more than cognitive reasons. The importance of the emotional aspect of user interaction with sources, including information professionals, in their search for information has been neglected. It is necessary to re-examine why and for what reasons users discriminate in their choice of information sources.

In order to connect more closely with their user populations’ information professionals could consider holding the key tenets of emotional intelligence as useful assistance strategies in user-librarian interaction, and understand that personal interaction is important for many users. Also the understanding that such interaction can offer valuable insights into user understandings of the role of the library. there is more to a library than resource access, and not all the users share the same perceptions as librarians of the information values of such tools as catalogues and databases, Information professionals muse learn to appreciate that users see many roles for a library and these are individually constructed based upon past experience and current needs. There is a great need to extend the physical boundaries of the library into user communities. It is important for the role development to accept that the key marketing strategy of commercial retailers to get customers to buy and return to buy, is relevant in environments such as libraries (Mills & Lodge, 2006).

Library services can be packaged and promoted like almost any other product, for those with a professional background in marketing it is almost certain to think of programs and services as if they were consumer products, but that’s not always easy for librarians. Any information professional who listens to and acts on the unique needs of users is thinking like a marketer although limited time and funding often push marketing to the bottom of the priority list in the library. (Helton & Esrock, 1998)

Article Source

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Thesis and literature review writing service with excellent professionalism guaranteed

Thesis is a typical way to prove to the world what you believe in and what you have in your mind to prove to the people. A perfect thesis statement is the best way of setting your standards with your thoughtful research topic that you intend to prove to this world. A good thesis will be able to explain us by recollecting the facts. Thesis written should be comprehensible, understandable, and strong. A dissertation should be simple, convincing a strong point with people who reasonably disagree with it. The strong point should be like an argument where people should be able to argue and prove with a point that you are wrong. Here dissertation writers help in writing dissertation with excellent professional to present your research presentation. Writers are a leader in academic writing service helping you in the course of academic writings for your research preparation. They are master in providing the writing services which enhances your professionalism with your dissertation presentation. It is good adding value to your research by providing innovative ideas to present in your research which makes it look more excellent. They assure you that you can expect true professionalism from the dissertation writing.

To select them is the right choices for various reasons since writers strive for the originality in the content they develop and providing a top quality in writing. Their value added service by providing extraordinary support in composing the data in the required format. Writers make every effort to achieve deadline in a short span of time. Literature review is a writing or method that endeavors to aim at the critical points of particular topics. Writers provide an excellent service provider for writing review articles with an extraordinary professionalism that you could ever dream off. These reviews are a derived sources and it doesn’t report of any fresh or unique trial work. Writers help you in writing dissertation i.e. describing the advancements in a new idea of observation that is resulted from research and literature review works. Writers make your life easier by providing an excellent ideas on how to start with your work, keeping up you deadline rigid for the review works. Writers also help if there is someone who can lend you a helping hand to expedite your literature review works. The pricing there offer are very reasonable which everyone can choose for the service they offer. The prices are varied for people according to their graduation like undergraduate, master and Ph.D.

The professional writers collectively working in a team has all the basic essential knowledge in writing style and skill in analyzing the service requested, designing its structure, and presenting academic papers. The principal point which service provider focus upon is on the quality of the article written and they continuously strive towards enhancing their professionalism to best compete with other service provider in writing in this entire global space. What make them so special for you choose their literature review service? It is their skill in developing the reviews survey piece of writing, manuscript. So its time to grab in their writing services they offer.

Article Source

Monday, November 15, 2010

Literature Review Example

Literature review example will help you in knowing the way of how to make a perfect research paper. This is an important part of research making process and you need to go through the research papers of other researchers in the similar problem to make a quality literature review. I have talked with some of the eminent professors who believe that a good literature review is the basic need of any research paper. A literature review is not just mere reading of different research papers and journals. You need to critically analyze individual papers, try to understand the merits and demerits of the individual research processes, try to analyze the reliability and validity of their results and then you need to assess what are the information you will need to bolster your own research paper. So it should be very clear to you that you need hard work in studying and understanding different research journals and you may also need help from your professors to analyze the papers properly. But at the same time it can also be said that if you can do it properly half of the battle for preparing your research paper is complete.

Literature review is also a great source for collection of data especially secondary data for your research paper. Secondary data are such statistical information which have already been collected by some one for his own purpose and are now available for use by others for their purposes. Indeed, numerical data which are not gathered directly from the field of enquiry, but are merely compiled from other sources are referred to as secondary data. The chief sources of such data are-

1) Official publications of State and Central Governments, Foreign Governments, and international bodies such as UNO, ILO etc.

2) Publications and reports of trade associations, Chambers of Commerce, co operative societies etc.

3) Journals and magazines published by private agencies

4) Reports of committees and Commissions of Enquiry

5) Unpublished reports prepared by research scholars, labor and trade unions etc.

One must be very careful in using secondary data, because of their many limitations. For example, the definition and coverage of the terms and the units of measurement may not quite agree with those required by the user. The basis of classification of such data may also be different. Sometimes the available secondary data may be mere estimates and not facts. The method employed for the collection of data may not be satisfactory. Secondary data in most cases contain errors due to transcription, rounding etc.

Detailed scrutiny of secondary data is therefore extremely essential before putting them into use. The user must satisfy him with (a) the scope and object of enquiry for which the data were originally collected (b) method of collection (c) time and area covered by the data (d) precise definitions of the terms used (e) extent of accuracy of the data and (f) the integrity and experience of the authority that collected those data for mainly their own uses.

Article Source

Sunday, November 14, 2010

How to write a good Literature Review

Perhaps the most important issue in college and University is writing a Literature review. The main aim of writing a literature review is to critically analyze the contemporary knowledge and or methodological approaches on a particular subject. They are secondary sources and do not report any original work. It can be regarded as a summary of previous research on a topic. The knowledge of prior research is important as it widens the knowledge in the subject. It updates the student with the works of other well-known researchers and their latest researches and the latest trends in the subject.

Often Literature Review is associated with academics where Literature Review preceeds Thesis Proposal. Literature Review is about reviewing a Research Literature. It introduces and provides examples of a range of techniques that can be used to analyze ideas, find relationships between different ideas and understand the nature and use of argument in research. Therefore, we can expect explanation, discussion and examples on how to analyze other people's ideas, those ideas that constitute the body of knowledge on the topic of research.

The literature as a piece of academic writing must be clear, have a logical structure and show that one has acquired a sufficient range of skills and capabilities at an appropriate level.

The written thesis or dissertation needs to be reviewed as the evidence of one's capabilities as a researcher. When one is ready to write up the work, one has major task: how to adequately, appropriately and interestingly describe, explain and justify what has been done and found out. The main vehicle is the thesis or dissertation.

Literature Review at HelpWithThesis: Help With Thesis (HWT) started as an off-shoot of the #1 Assignment and Homework Help provider – HelpWithAssignment.com (HWA). Leveraging the expertise of HWA in delivering online tuitions to graduate and post graduate students using virtual classrooms, HWT takes the services a notch higher. We have enrolled the services of reputed experts and PhDs in different domains who have successfully obtained their PhDs after completing theses and dissertations.

Just like HWA, HWT experts are spread over 3 continents and several countries. Such expertise is unmatched by any provider around the globe. We intend to help you where you find yourself lacking, be it as simple a task as proof reading the thesis and proving comments to conceptualizing and writing an original thesis or dissertation.

HWT has delivered over 300 theses and dissertations in diverse subjects, which makes us the industry leader. All this in a span of a few years! This bears testimony to the fact that our satisfied customers have referred our services to many others. Try our services for the most important academic assignment of your life and increase the certainty of your success.

For more details visit our website at http://www.ukdissertations.net/

Article Source

Friday, November 12, 2010

5 Essential Ingredients For Writing A Literature Review

Most of the times, I find students struggling with literature review. I have always tried to make it simple for us all, so as today. Unlike other students, I have relied upon my abilities and skills more than following a traditional and standard method for writing it. The benefit to it is: I have always enjoyed remarks like "What a unique style!", "Where did you get it from?", "Is your tutor that smart?" and I have always accepted the remarks and criticism open heartedly.

I wouldn't share my style here, because I believe every individual has a different style and way of thinking to understand things. So, here I'm just telling you the 5 essential ingredients through which you can add spice to your boring literature review:

It is quiet beneficial to target your work's purposes. The 2 effective purposes for a literature review (in my opinion) are:

Scanning information to seek useful and important points from it and also identifying the unbiased statements after applying principles to it.

The 5 essential components are:

• Organization: It is the key to write a literature review; the research question should be related to the thesis and it should support what you are trying to develop from it

• The results of the known and unknown aspects should also be summarized in the literature review. To quote every important point, this can help draw the attention of readers as well.

• Usually, I look forward to those published books that allow room for some controversy. Stating controversial points can give you an immediate response

• A literature review should be written and based upon such questions that allow researching. The more you widen the path of exploring, the further it will help you develop a great review.

• Selecting a book that targets a particular problem, or providing a solution to some issue is the most desired.

Article Source

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Expert Usability Review

The review is conducted by a small band of usability experts who examine the service or product to identify any possible usability issues. Expert Usability Review belongs to the few means within the user process that doesnt include any contact with the end users.

The modern literature review on this mean refers to the formal way of Heuristic Evaluation that alludes to experts observing graphical user interface for devotion to usual usability guidelines.

While Heuristic Evaluation is a usual mean used in formal or academic surroundings, it could be debated that this mean is too tough and usually fails to meet the customers needs. Evaluating an interface by checking boxes to define where it meet or not so called usability guidelines doesnt put enough value on the uses context, or the targets of the system. The process of evaluation relies upon usability guidelines that and the researchs result on graphical user interfaces that may be entirely dissimilar to the one being observed.

Some guidelines are meaning, but while stuck to by letter, they may lead to bad usability decisions for the designer doesnt take into account the specific users, context used for the system, and the targets of the service or product. Following guidelines can be tricking and can provide a deceitful sense of security that the interface is usable, when its not.

Article Source

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Literature Review Format: Book Critique Examples In Focus

Students should be able to write any essay on any topic. Literature reviews are ones of the most common essays. The purpose of book critique examples is to develop critical, objective, and unbiased thinking in students. So, what steps should a student take to succeed in writing these kinds of essays? How to start writing book critique examples? The following tips may help at solving these problems.

Specifics of book critique examples introduction

Before writing any book critique example, one should read a book. The book may be suggested by a teacher, if no, one should choose a book he/she really likes. However, it is important to remember that the approach to writing should be objective but not subjective. When one found out all positive and negative points of the book, he/she may get down to reviewing

1.It is advisable to start the paper with an interesting citation. The purpose of the opening phrase is to make the reader intrigued. One should not limit his/her creativity and imagination at this point.

2.The next tip is to mention the authors ideas. Consider the following questions:

Has the author succeeded in transferring his/her message to the reader?

What is the authors attitude towards the main characters?

What is the problem raised in the book?

What is the genre of the book?

2.It is essential to provide some background information about the book and the author. Who is the author? When was he born? When was the book issued?

Main body and conclusion

1.Do not indulge in writing all details of the narration. The purpose of this paper is to provide critique. Just write a small summary so that the reader would understand what the book is about.

2.Outline positive and negative aspects of the book. But remember to be objective.

3.Close to the end state personal opinion about this book. Is it worth reading? Or would it be a waste of time?

4.Finally, check the paper for mistakes.

Article Source

Monday, November 8, 2010

Literature Review Format: Students Tips And Tricks

What is literature review and why should it be formatted? And how should it be formatted? Are there any specific rules of writing literature reviews? These questions are frequently asked by students of various educational institutions. This article provides answers and guidelines for students on writing literature reviews.

What is literature review?

Usually, literature review is a summary of research on any topic provided in a book. Its main purpose is to give a reader understanding of the current situation in this or that branch of knowledge. Literature review may include suggestions about further development of the topic or ways of solving the problem in question. It should be noted that literature review is written only on relevant source, such as academic articles or books.

Important steps in writing

To come up with a good literature review, one should take into account the following tips:

1.First of all, establish the topic of the review. Once it is done, start collecting information about this topic. It is important to opt only for relevant, peer-reviewed academic sources. Additionally, one should look for reliable information on the Internet.

2.The next step is to read and analyze the collected information. Study it carefully and highlight the most significant facts and data.

3.Furthermore, create an outline of the paper. Start writing with a brief, consistent thesis statement providing the core idea of the review. Usually, a thesis statement is a part of an introduction that should also be logical and precise.

4.In the main body of the review summarize the main information from the selected sources. One should concentrate on his/her viewpoints that should be connected with the thesis statement.

5.It is possible to mention some other literature reviews in the paper to prove the thesis statement. In this case, one should mention the initial source of the review.

6.Finally, write conclusion and format the review according to citation style that is required by the teacher.

Article Source

Sunday, November 7, 2010

How to write a good Literature Review

Perhaps the most important issue in college and University is writing a Literature review. The main aim of writing a literature review is to critically analyze the contemporary knowledge and or methodological approaches on a particular subject. They are secondary sources and do not report any original work. It can be regarded as a summary of previous research on a topic. The knowledge of prior research is important as it widens the knowledge in the subject. It updates the student with the works of other well-known researchers and their latest researches and the latest trends in the subject.

Often Literature Review is associated with academics where Literature Review preceeds Thesis Proposal. Literature Review is about reviewing a Research Literature. It introduces and provides examples of a range of techniques that can be used to analyze ideas, find relationships between different ideas and understand the nature and use of argument in research. Therefore, we can expect explanation, discussion and examples on how to analyze other people's ideas, those ideas that constitute the body of knowledge on the topic of research.

The literature as a piece of academic writing must be clear, have a logical structure and show that one has acquired a sufficient range of skills and capabilities at an appropriate level.

The written thesis or dissertation needs to be reviewed as the evidence of one's capabilities as a researcher. When one is ready to write up the work, one has major task: how to adequately, appropriately and interestingly describe, explain and justify what has been done and found out. The main vehicle is the thesis or dissertation.

Literature Review at HelpWithThesis: Help With Thesis (HWT) started as an off-shoot of the #1 Assignment and Homework Help provider – HelpWithAssignment.com (HWA). Leveraging the expertise of HWA in delivering online tuitions to graduate and post graduate students using virtual classrooms, HWT takes the services a notch higher. We have enrolled the services of reputed experts and PhDs in different domains who have successfully obtained their PhDs after completing theses and dissertations.

Just like HWA, HWT experts are spread over 3 continents and several countries. Such expertise is unmatched by any provider around the globe. We intend to help you where you find yourself lacking, be it as simple a task as proof reading the thesis and proving comments to conceptualizing and writing an original thesis or dissertation.

HWT has delivered over 300 theses and dissertations in diverse subjects, which makes us the industry leader. All this in a span of a few years! This bears testimony to the fact that our satisfied customers have referred our services to many others. Try our services for the most important academic assignment of your life and increase the certainty of your success.

Article Source

Friday, November 5, 2010

Collection Development - A Review of Some Related Literature

Some major issues in collection development

Ifidon (1990) focused attention on thirteen university libraries in developing countries and identified their purpose or mission. Books, quick service collections and peripheral materials serve the course work of under graduates. Theses and dissertations, staff publication, audio-visual items for faculty specialists serve post-graduates and researchers. Light reading materials and newspapers enhance personal self development. Special collections also exist to meet the needs of the university in which they are situated. For example, the newspaper collection at Fourah Bay College Library, University of Sierra Leone contains invaluable grey materials which could not be available elsewhere. The newspapers in this collection are collected periodically and sent to the Bindery Department for hard covers. These are eventually shelved as books in the library and the newspaper collection could be traced as far back as 1954.

Bloomfield (1988) outlined what are considered as the major issues in collection development. The six identified issues include the identification of the purpose of mission either of the library itself or its parent body, the formulation of specific library strategies and policies for implementing the collection policy statement, the division of the budget and its consequent problems, monitoring and resource sharing. It is taken for granted that these issues include the assumption that libraries do not have sufficient funds. Formally, the University of Sierra Leone (which currently comprises Fourah Bay College, College of Medicine & Allied Health Sciences and the Institute of Public Administration & Management) budgeted 6% for its libraries but the economic situation from the late 1980s onwards forced this support to be converted to collegiate funding. Unfortunately, the administration often stresses that there are many other competing demands which frustrate the level of support libraries eventually receive.

Gyeszly (1990), Harrell (1990) and Smith (1990) compared and analyzed statistically the collection growth of the Sterling and C. Evans Library, Texas A and M University. Student enrolment, faculty size, materials budget, library funds and expenditures, acquisition of monographs and serials are discussed. Libraries which are actively engaged in collection development are in a dilemma to deal with increasing material prices at a time of decreasing state-supported appropriations. Collection development policies in each department must be carefully written and reviewed to address the needs of different departments. Unfortunately, several libraries do not have well written collection development policies. A corresponding effect is the growth of some subject areas in libraries at the expense of others.

Kelly (1991) focused attention on funding patterns in academic libraries and collection budget allocation methods. It is important to use various techniques in reductions in the budget. Forecasting models and allocation formulae previously used at Laurentian University are detailed. Collection development methods and allocation formulae that work very well in times of increasing budgets should be re-examined when budgets are cut or even remain the same. The author however failed to realize that in Third World University Libraries budgets hardly remain the same. The general trend is a gradual decline which frustrates growth of these libraries.

Collection development policies

Futas (1984) examined a survey conducted of academic and public libraries policies in relation to collection development. Ten academic library collection development policies as well as several selected portions of library policies like goals and objectives, selection, collection maintenance, and intellectual freedom are outlined. Finance is and has always been an issue of concern in the policies. The initial practice of having a policy on what percentage will be spent on what type of material gives place to generalizations and formulae. One implication is that policies do not have to change every year with a new budget. The results of the survey could be safely extended to other academic libraries in the developed nations.

Cabutey-Adodoadgi (1988) focused on the development of library collections in a developing country like Ghana and attributed the poor and unbalanced collections to the inability of libraries to draw up clear cut policies. The ideal however is to evolve a collection development policy that will be based on key factors like library budget, selectivity, user needs and evaluation. Library collections of developing countries, if anything, should reflect balance. Unfortunately, the situation falls far short of the expectations.

Lundu (1989) and Lungu (1989) noted that a fundamental problem in relation to acquisition of scientific literature in Zambia is the lack of clearly-cut collection development policies. Apart from the University of Zambia library, the rest of the libraries they evaluated lack clear-cut collection development policies. The need for collection development becomes paramount if acquired materials should be planned to be relevant to needs and cost effective in relation to limited financial resources available for the book industry in developing countries.

Approval plans

Leonhardt (1990) presented approval plans as one of the most written-about, talked about, misunderstood and oversold aspect of librarianship. The sad realization is that in spite of all the discussions, professional librarians have different views in relation to their name, value and administration. Although they have an inherent value in collection building, they are not a universal remedy for collection development and budget woes. Attempts by librarians to run broad subject-based approval plans without the necessary funds also defeat their purpose. The danger is the less there is to spend, as is the case in most developing countries, the more they leave selection to the vendor.

Likeness (1990) noted that reputable place approval plans have in libraries. Among advantages outlined are option of return, limiting books received from a group of publishers from notifications rather than actual delivery, and blocking out of series or publishers already on standing order. Foreign language materials approval plans are also discussed. While some librarians may not want faculty to be involved in the approval process, many who use such plans involve them in the evaluation of approval books.

Bostic (1991) stressed the important role or gathering plans, in which library materials are supplied according to a predetermined profile and unwanted documents returned, play in the procurement of documents for the library. Advantages include availability of bigger accounts, saving of staff time, a golden opportunity to examine what should be purchased, a sharpening of the library's focus on its informational support mission, allowing existing collections to be strengthened and providing the means of collection evaluation and assessment. These notwithstanding, there are normally gaps in coverage, slow delivery, duplication of material, difficulty in claiming and loss of budget control.

Somers (1991) compared approval plan profiles of two academic libraries, University of Georgia and Tulane University. Although each had vastly different profiles and completely different reactions, they positively view the approval plan as a method of collection development. The individual library profile which determines what is to be sent is at the heart of each plan. In spite of the unique circumstances on each campus, the profile is not only defined wishes but also set expectations.

Technique of evaluating library collections

Ford (1988) noted that in spite of initial opposition to the Aikinson Report which states the time limit stock should be discarded and acquired, the grounds for opposition to some of the proposals are being whittled away. Three choices with regard to the criteria used for identifying materials to be weeded out include category, objective and judgment. Five main types of the so-called 'objective' criteria include usage, obsolescence, age, death and decay. Although most libraries undertake weeding as a result of special circumstances, some do weed systematically and others are about to embark on a systematic programme.

Jones (1988) observed that the management of stock should be clearly seen within the context of the overall management of the organization. Analysis of borrowers and their use of different categories of stock are very important in stock management.

Principles used to determine whether to retain a material include age, popularity, accuracy and relevance of information and sound professional judgment. This is not a proposal to take decision-making from librarians and to give it centrally-based specialists.

Matheson (1988) firmly believed that co-operation and resource sharing are forward steps in the face of higher publishing outputs and declining budgets for collection development. Concentrating on the background to co-operatives initiatives in collection development between major research libraries in Scotland, it is reasonable to conclude that acquisitions budgets fail to retain their purchasing power because of the lack of true co-operation among libraries.

Sizer (1988) noted that academic libraries are under tremendous pressure in demonstrating that they are providing value for money received from their parent bodies. Value for money is concerned with optimizing economy in the acquisition of resources, efficiency in their use and effectiveness in the achievement of objectives. Accountability is not only measures in financial terms. If a library develops an integrated process of planning, resource allocation, budgetary planning and control, it should aim at achieving value for money demonstrated within and outside the university.

Williams (1988) admitted that although much of a librarian's training involves selection, acquisition, storage and exploitation of resources, the ultimate stage, stock relegation, receives relatively little attention. If approached positively, the weeding of materials could lead to an enhancement of user satisfaction as well as an ultimate increase in operational efficiency and effectiveness.
A brief analysis of the Slote method which a spine-mark technique to help individuals to identify materials for weeding is followed by an examination of reasons for justifying its use as an ideal approach of weeding library collections. The above notwithstanding, it is often a very difficult task to meaningfully select potential materials for weeding particularly so when the faculty fails to co-operate with the library in identifying them.

Woodward (1988) reported on the project sponsored by the British National Bibliography Research Fund aimed at designing models to evaluate different kinds of journal provision in the light of possibilities offered by the electronic transmission of journal articles. The Loughborough research clearly showed that a complete switch to electronic article transmission would be disadvantageous to both librarian and user. In brief, overall acquisition costs would be higher, funds would become complex as electronic article provision could not be financed in advance and the library user would suffer loss of quick and easy access of material.

Osburn (1990) identified practices that either impede or are likely to impede freedom of access to information. One such is censorship. Identification is one step to problem solving. Basic principles behind collection management - value and demand, diversity and balance, conservator and innovator are identified. As selection is the heartbeat of collection development, so are criteria for selection important to collection development policies. Allocation and budget justification are plans for action which, though related to policy are separate from it. The importance of collection evaluation is therefore seen in the revision of policy and of financial planning.

Taher (1990) and Kumar (1990) analyzed an American studies collection, taking into consideration growth and use patterns and highlighted the trends and prospects in collection development and evaluation of user needs in India. Two methods, descriptive and analytical are utilized to determine whether or not a collection is balanced. Such a study of collection development and evaluation is of tremendous importance to one's understanding of existing needs to predict the future.

Tjoumas (1990) and Blake (1990) did comparative studies on collection evaluation which provided an inventory of possible techniques developed to assess library holdings. The two approaches which dominated were the impressionistic approach which is extremely subjective and the checklist method which requires a certified list of sources identifying titles essential to support an academic programme. Identifying collection evaluation techniques which are cost effective, easy to implement and accurate would provide librarians with valuable instruments to prepare both internal and external reports.

Wachel (1992) and Shreaves (1992) noted the strong alliance between acquisition and collection development to citing the Iowa libraries as examples. The re-organization at Iowa which shifted the administration of acquisitions from technical services to collection management was a very positive one since it reduced possibilities for conflict inherent in the old administrative structure. Co-operation is the watchword. The action of acquiring confirms a link with collection management and such a relationship is a potential linkage.

Summary

A role of collection development is not only to plan a stock acquisition programme but to make it relevant to immediate and future needs of the users. Born (1993) rightly observed that "a closer co-operation has developed between departments as librarians assess and evaluate library collections to ensure the current and future needs of students and scholars are met" (p.125). It is also evident that most University library collections in developing countries are under-developed as a result of the lack of clearly stated acquisition and collection development policies. The reverse is true of most university libraries in developed countries. Co-operation and resource sharing are two positive steps in the face of declining budgets.

Bibliography

Bloomfield, B.C. (1988). "Collection development: key issues". In S. Corral(ed). Collection

development: options for effective management. London: Taylor Graham. pp.3-16.
Born, K. (1993). "The role of the serials vendor in the collection assessment and evaluation process".

Journal of Library Administration. 19(2), pp.125-138.
Bostic, M.J. (1991). "Approval acquisitions and vendor relations: an overview". The Acquisitions

Librarian. 6(1), pp. 129-144.
Cabutey-Adodoadji, E. (1988). "Collection Development: a hypothetical perspective". Ghana

Library Journal. 6(1), pp.20-30.
Ford, G. (1988). "A review of relegation practice". In In S. Corral(ed). Collection development: options

for effective management. London: Taylor Graham. pp.71-81.
Futas, E. (1984). Library acquisition: policies and procedures. Arizona: Oryx Press.
Gyeszly, S.D. et al. (1990) "Collection growth and evaluation at Texas A and M University, 1978 and

1988: a comparative statistical analysis". Collection Management. 12 (3-4), pp.152-172.
Ifidon, B.I. (1990). Collection development in African university libraries: challenges and frustrations.

Indiana: African Studies Program.
Jones, J.H. (1990). "The Hertfordshire method: an approach to book stock management". In In S.

Corral(ed). Collection development: options for effective management. London: Taylor Graham.

pp.95-101.
Kelly, G.J. (1991). "Using an economic approach to improve budget forecasting techniques, collection,

allocation methods and library budgeting decisions". The Acquisitions Librarian. 5(11), pp.191-213.

Leonhardt, T.W. (1990). "Collection development outside the ARL: a newcomer's perspective".

Collection Management. 12(1-2), pp.11-14.
Likeness, C.S. (1990). "The creative use and acquisitions mechanisms in the college library. Collection

Management. 12(1-2), pp.3-10.
Lundu and Lungu, M.C. & Lungu, C.M.B. (1989). "Acquisition of scientific literature in developing

countries: Zambia". Information Development. 5(2), pp.99-107.
Matheson, A. (1988). "Co-operative approaches in Scotland". In S. Coral (ed). Collection development:

options for effective management. London: Taylor Graham. pp. 119-130.
Osburn, C.B. (1990). "Impact of collection management practices on intellectual freedom". Library

Trends. 39(1-2). pp. 168-182.
Sizer, J. (1988). "Value for money: a framework for development". In S. Coral (ed). Collection

development: options for effective management. London: Taylor Graham. pp. 132-140.
Somers, S.W. (1991). Book selection: principles and practice. London: Library Association Publishing.
Taher, M & Kumar, V.M. (1990). "Collection development and evaluation at the American Research

Centre, Hydembad". Collection Management. 12(1-2), pp. 125-146.
Tjoumas, R. & Blake, V.L.P. (1990). "Counteracting at the divergence between professional

accreditation and the evaluation of library science collections". Collection Management. 12(1-2),

pp.43-59.
Wachel, K. & Shreeves, E. (1992). "An alliance between acquisitions and collection management".

Library Acquisitions: Practice and Theory. 16(1), pp.383-389.
Williams, R. (1988). "Choosing the Slote method of weeding library collections". In S. Coral (ed).

Collection development: options for effective management. London: Taylor Graham. pp. 88-94.
Woodward, H. (1994). "The impact of electronic information on serials collection management". IFLA

Journal. 20(1), pp.35-45.

Article Source

Thursday, November 4, 2010

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE DISSERTATION WRITING

A children's literature is easy to find, but writing a dissertation on children's literature is a tough task. it needs a lot of time, efforts and energy to create a dissertation on your own. These are some useful tips which can actually make the writing process easier.

* What is expected from you and what grade you want depends on topic selection. Formulate a topic of your interest yourself

* Your first paragraph should have a clear thesis statement or thesis subject because, the whole dissertation argument is meant to be built on the thesis subject.

* The sources from which you have acquired some piece of information must be cited. Students should write and develop their thesis from their brains too.

* The arguments which have been made and the following analysis and interpretation should be of convincing.

* Organization of ideas plays a major part. The strongest argument should be placed first, while the weak ones should be stated at the end.

* Thesis statement should be supported by each paragraph. Make links between your arguments and supported data.

* You must support your thesis statement and analysis.

* Stimulate the interest creating factors in your children's literature dissertation. try to maintain a pitch in your writing, so, that an enthusiasm can be sensed in your dissertation.

* Remember, a clear and simple writing can do the most for you. Fantasy creating can be failed in a children literature essay. a writer is responsible to communicate with its readers, so, make your communication effective by focusing writing simple and brief sentences. A too easy to read paper enables the reader to understand fully.

* Proofread is the ingredient of a writing a best and successful dissertation. Errors, and mistakes, can actually spoil the overall impression and work. So, arrange a fresh pair of eyes for your children's literature dissertation proofreading, and make corrections accordingly

* Always try to write on updated, new and innovated ideas that can really works in marking up your esteem and builds excitement during writing. Utilize every source and listen to the critics to make your work a perfect piece.

Article Source

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Tips on Writing a State-of-the-Art English Literature Dissertation

Here comes the time of final English literature dissertation writing. Before anything else you should understand that literature dissertation is quite longer than any other dissertation writing, and require a deep involvement with the area of research. As literature is a very elegant and deep subject, hence the assessment by university or college would be done at much higher standard than the assessment of other areas of studies.

Before moving further, it's important to discuss that what Literature is. According to Wikipedia, "Literature is the art of written works". Subsequently, when we see what English Literature is, Wikipedia now define it as, "English literature is the literature written in the English language, including literature composed in English by writers not necessarily from England".

While writing your English literature dissertation, you need to focus greatly on dissertation literature review. You should not mix the connotation of literature review with the main English literature dissertation. Literature review of dissertation is actually a part of the dissertation in which you deeply go through the written work done by the previous English writers, and cite the important points which are necessary for your English literature dissertation. I recommend reading the work of famous writers like Charles Dickens, William Makepeach Thackeray's, Bronte sisters, Oscar Wilde's, and Rudyard Kipling in order to find some great ideas for your English literature dissertation topics.

Don't forget to use the referencing style which is recommended by your university/college. Ask your supervisor about the style they follow before starting the literature review, and stick to it from start to end. Harvard, Oxford, APA, MLA and MHRA are some famous referencing styles used in dissertation writing. Usually, MLA style is used for the subjects like literature, arts, and humanities, therefore you will most probably be asked to use MLA style.

As you will go through an English literature based dissertation, error free and good standard of English will be required to avoid criticism and embarrassment. Moreover, take care that final copy of your English literature dissertation should not contain any grammar, typography and spelling mistakes. Proof read the final work several times, and also get it proof read by your friends and family members to make it a perfect English literature dissertation without a single mistake in it.

Conclusion

Of course, the time of dissertation writing is tough but the time could be interesting. Don't take your English literature writing as a burden, take it easy and do it systematically. Once, you understand how to write literature dissertations, no force in this world can stop you to complete your dissertation far before the expected completion time.

Article Source

Monday, November 1, 2010

Literature Reviews - Start on the Right Track

Starting and creating a literature review can be a tricky problem. For a start you need to know what your review should achieve and what sources you are going to use. The first step is always to revisit the research Aims and Objectives and ask yourself:

1. What do you want to find out?
2. What do you want to know about the topic?
3. What would help you write your thesis?
It can be easy to forget that the literature review also helps you to understand a topic. So it's not only a requirement of a thesis, it is a learning experience for you.

For example, if my aim were to research "User Generated Content in the context of museums", the literature that would interest me would be in these areas:

1. User Generated Content - defining what it is and how it is used?
2. User Generated Content in the context of museums - are any museums using it? Are there journal papers on the subject? Has someone already reviewed the area?
3. What alternatives are there to User Generated Content - as it's a relatively new topic then what did museums use before?
Even if your research aim is to only look at one particular topic, then use this topic as a starting point and start writing these down.
By now, you hopefully have a written list of possible topics so I recommend writing a short overview of these topics of about 200-300 words in total. The process of trying to write about these topics, will make you focus on what you need to know and what literature you need to be reading! Use coursework notes or your own experience and if you are stuck, then right down what you need to know. It's unlikely that you know nothing about your research topic, so try to take a few minutes to think about what it is you are trying to achieve and write this down.
Try to make your research topics clear before starting a literature review. This will make it easier and avoid you becoming overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information available to you. So returning to my example, I'd start by using the search terms:

Keyword Search 1: User + Generated + Content + museums
Keyword Search 2: User + Generated + Content + museums + review
Keyword Search 3: Website + content + museums
Keyword Search 4: User + Generated + Content
This should give me enough journals and information to start writing a draft review.

Now from these searches, start to create headings for each of your main topics. As this is in draft format then it doesn't matter too much about the order. You'll find that once you start writing, the logical order will become clearer. It's very easy to quickly copy and paste words from one section to another, so the key thing here is to make sure your headings reflect what is in your Aims and Objectives!

A really good hint here is to search for a review on your subject, in a well-known journal database such as EmeraldInsight or ScienceDirect. If it's a popular topic, then there will be reviews on it. These are invaluable as the previous researcher will already have identified gaps in the literature and categorised the main headings.

As you write each part of the review, remember to write a brief introduction and conclusion at the end of each heading. The introduction may only be 50-100 words but it is important to explain why this area of the literature is being covered and how it relates to the Aims & Objectives. Similarly the conclusion briefly lists the main findings and helps to confirm that the work is relevant to the Aims and Objectives.

So to recap, an example of how to start is:

1. Write a short overview of what you need to know based on your Aims & Objectives and discuss this with your tutor or supervisor (200-300 words)
2. Search journal databases using keywords relating to your research
3. Search for a review on your topic (great if you can find one!)
4. Identify key topic headings and split your chapter into sub-headings
5. Write a draft review under each headings, with an introduction and conclusion at the end of each topic

Remember that your supervisor should always be able to help you. Ask them to review your work as you go along to make sure it's OK and on the right track.

If you are interested in learning more about the stages of a literature review then please visit our site dedicated to literature reviews and writing your dissertation: http://www.ukdissertations.net

This article was written by Dr Thomas Parsons, the founder of sites dedicated to helping students complete their thesis and dissertations.

Article Source