Welcome!
- Overview of the course
The Dissertation Quest
- The dissertation is a long process, like embarking on a great quest
- This course is meant to help you make progress along the way
Student Dissertation Projects
- Students’ brief dissertation project overviews
- Formation of Research Teams 1, 2, and 3
Writing the Literature Review
Some Basic Tips for Writing the Literature Review
- Focus on building on the work of others, not finding a gap
- Think about who would want to come to a presentation on your work: These are your primary sources
- Use headings and subheadings to categorize all this material
- Cover every source you cite with at least a paragraph:
- Summarize what the source says, your analysis of the source, how the source relates to your own study
- Every 3-5 sources, summarize the works and tie things back to your own study
- Talk in depth about the most important scholars whose work most closely aligns with your own
- If no one has done your study, then find someone who was in the same ballpark
- You should NOT be the only person doing this work, otherwise publishers will not be interested in it
- Use sources from the last 5-10 years, but the newer the better
- Also include older, seminal sources
- By the time you finish your literature review, you should be the expert on the topic
- Have fun with doing your literature review research: one of the greatest joys in life is learning new things!
Helpful Articles About Writing the Literature Review
- “A Guide to Writing the Dissertation Literature Review” by Justus Randolph
- A really helpful basic guide for writing a literature review
- “Writing Narrative Literature Reviews” by Roy F. Baumeister and Mark R. Leary
- Useful overview of common mistakes made when writing literature reviews
- “Writing a Literature Review” by Barbara Steward
- This author talks about how to engage enthusiasm for the topic of your literature review
Let the Quest Begin
Quest by Gian Pagnucci
- I’m thrilled to have published the poem “Quest” with Red Flag Poetry
- Subscribe with Red Flag Poetry to get a poetry postcard delivered to your rail postal mailbox each month
- The postcard features a poem and matching artwork on one side and the author’s bio on the other side
- My poem, “Quest,” was the January 2022 poetry postcard and features a wonderful photograph by Sara Everett of a classic typewriter and a cool gargoyle nicknamed Edgar
- Enjoy!