Writing Literature Reviews: A Guide for Students of the Social and Behavioral Sciences

by José L. Galvan

• Guides students in the preparation of literature reviews for term projects, theses, and dissertations. • Most chapters are conveniently divided into easy-to-follow guidelines, sequential steps, or checklists. Numerous examples throughout the book show students what should and should not be done when writing reviews. • Emphasizes critical analysis of reports of empirical research in academic journals―making it ideal as a supplement for research methods courses. This book makes it possible for students to work independently on a critical literature review as a term project. • Nine model literature reviews at the end of the book provide the stimulus for homework assignments and classroom discussions. • The activities at the end of each chapter keep students moving toward their goal of writing a polished, professional review of academic literature. • Most examples include material from recently published research. Includes nine model literature reviews for discussion and evaluation. Table of Contents Chapters 1 Writing Reviews of Academic An Overview 2 Considerations in Writing Reviews for Specific Purposes 3 Selecting a Topic and Identifying Literature for Review 4 General Guidelines for Analyzing Literature 5 Analyzing Quantitative Research Literature 6 Analyzing Qualitative Research Literature 7 Building Tables to Summarize Literature 8 Synthesizing Literature Prior to Writing a Review 9 Guidelines for Writing a First Draft 10 Guidelines for Developing a Coherent Essay 11 Guidelines on Style, Mechanics, and Language Usage 12 Incorporating Feedback and Refining the First Draft 13 Preparing a Reference List 14 Comprehensive Self-Editing Checklist for Refining the Final Draft Model Literature Reviews for Discussion and Evaluation Review Cyberbullying Among College Students Journal of School Violence Review Waterpipe Smoking Among College Students in the United States Journal of American College Health Review The Effect of Student Discussion Frequency on Mathematics Achievement The Journal of Experimental Education Review Behaviors in Couples With a History of Infidelity Journal of Family Psychology Review The Prevalence of Stalking Among College Students Journal of American College Health Review School Social Workers’ Experiences With Youth Suicidal Behavior Children & Schools Review Demographic and Academic Trends in Drinking Patterns and Alcohol-Related Problems Journal of Alcohol and Drug Education Review Overnight Stays and Children’s Relationships With Resident and Nonresident Parents After Divorce Journal of Family Issues Review Language An Integrative Review of the Literature Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences Professor Reviews “Students have found Writing "Literature reviews one of the most helpful books.... Even students not in the course have gone to the bookstore looking for this book.” ― Kathleen N. Bondy, University of Central Arkansas “Lucid, readable, and concise. Excellent detailed table of contents. Good full-length examples of literature reviews.” ― Paul K. Dezendorf, East Carolina University “Excellent. A concise, ‘task analytic’ presentation of the complex steps necessary in writing literature reviews.” ― Tom Cooke, Sonoma State University “Readable, concise, clear overview of the subject. My students rave about it. One said, ‘I will keep this book for my whole master’s [in nursing] program.'" ― Madge M. D

Genres: Nonfiction, Education, Writing, Research, Reference, School, Grad School

162 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Jose L. Galvan (Ph.D., 1980, UT Austin) is Professor Emeritus at California State University, Los Angeles. His academic career spans 39 years, including appointments at UCLA; Teachers College, Columbia University; California State University, Los Angeles; and San Francisco State University.

Reviews

[Erin M]

This was one of the required texts for my Academic Writing class, and because school takes away from my reading for pleasure time, I am counting this as one of my books for my yearly goal. :-)

This was a great refresher book on academic writing, and there were some really good tips on how to organize your notes/research and how best to approach beginning your literature review. I will definitely be keeping this book on the shelf as I go through my doctoral program, and it is useful for folks no matter WHERE they are in their academic career.

[Hayley]

I'm so bored omg

[Deirdre]

A useful, practical, and easy to follow guide to completing a successful literature review. If you're looking for complex jargon in a boring instruction manual, you won't find it in this book. I started the book prior to starting my lit review and have just completed my first amateur review. This book definitely gave me the needed tools to get over the finish line.

[Crystal]

An easy, comprehensive guide to writing a literature review. While it wasn't entirely appropriate for the level of the course that I'm currently taking, it would probably be a great help to college freshmen who have no idea what the hell it is they're doing.

[Scott Whitney]

I did not pick this one up until the end of my degree. I should have picked it up sooner. The information is good, the ideas it has given me are going to be helpful for writing my final and I will probably use some of the information in this book for some of my honors students.

[Stephen]

READ APR 2009

Good high-level overview for academic writing in general, and writing literature reviews in particular.

[Emmanuel Saka]

Very insightful book. Straight to the point content. Liked it!!

[Satosan]

I think this is very helpful

[Hannah]

This book was very informative on how to write literary reviews.

[Melissa Kuehnle]

Step by step instructions to writing and finalizing a literature review.

[Larina Warnock]

Hands down the best book for getting the lit review finished.

[Mary]

A bit outdated with online/digital notations, however this book is a seminal work in how to write literature reviews. I found this very useful for my current research work, and I will absolutely reference this book again in the future!

[Rob Moore]

Great overview of how to conduct a literature review. Clearly written, easy to digest, a good overview for people who are trying to do this well.

[Sarah]

Review for the 6th edition:
A nice introduction to the topic for undergrads, review of the topic for grad students, and teaching resource for instructors.

[Jeannie]

This was a required book for my research methods class, and it was such a helpful breakdown of how to approach writing a literature review.

[Amanda F]

Pretty decent for a research textbook.

[Melissa Ganka-Collins]

All of this info is available on the internet now and can be organized using AI. A textbook guide is not needed.

[Teena D Lykins]

Informative, but it was hard for me to process everything contained in the book. It was a bit overwhelming.

[Hooma]

It looks interesting enough.

[Emmy]

I guess useful, but I don't want to ever have to need this ever again!

[Mills College Library]

808.0663 G182 2014

[Dani]

Required reading for school but immensely helpful. I'll definitely be revisiting this one.

[Nadia Jaramillo]

Very useful and practical. Easy guidelines into writing the literature review