Click here to view an electronic version of the syllabus.
Course Description & Objectives
The nature of graduate work, especially in doctoral studies, is discovering new knowledge and communicating these discoveries effectively with the public and research community. Literature Review articles are one method of contributing new knowledge when done in a way that emphasizes interpretation, analysis, and clear communication over simply summarizing the words of others. In this course, we will learn strategies, methods, and habits for writing and publishing effective critical literature review. Specifically, it is my goal that by the end of the semester, you will be able to:
- Understand the components of an effective literature review that contributes new understandings
- Select an appropriate topic for a comprehensive literature review
- Develop effective strategies for searching and reviewing previous research
- Summarize and critique previous studies as a form of interpretation
- Develop effective writing strategies and habits
- Produce a critical and interpretative literature review
- Understand how to negotiate the journal peer review publishing process
Pecha Kucha Examples
Journals that publish literature reviews
Many times students want to know what journals publish literature reviews, because not all do. This is not an exhaustive list, but these are the ones my students and I have found to publish literature reviews.
Lit Review Journals
- Review of Educational Research
- Educational Psychology Review
- Psychological Bulletin
- Educational Research Review
- Psychological Review
Research Journals that supposedly accept literature reviews or “theoretical” work
- American Journal of Distance Education
- American Journal of Play
- Applied Measurement in Education
- Creativity Research Journal
- Current Issues in Education
- Design Studies
- Distance Education
- Journal of Applied Design
- Educational and Psychological Measurement
- Educational Research International
- Educational Technology, Research, and Development
- Higher Education Quarterly
- Innovative Higher Education
- International Journal of web-based learning and teaching technology
- IRRODL
- International Journal of CSCL
- International Journal of Design
- Most methodology journals (International Journal of Mixed Method Approaches; Qualitative Inquiry, etc.)
- International Journal of Online Pedagogy and Course Design
- Journal of Applied Psychology
- Journal of Children and Media
- Journal of Computing in Higher Education
- Journal of Design Research
- Journal of Educational Measurement
- Journal of Flexible, Open, and Distance Learning
- Journal of Higher Education
- Journal of Research on Technology and Education
- Journal of Technology Education
- Journal of Learning Sciences
- Learning, Culture, and social interaction
- Open Education Journal
- Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration
- Teaching and Teacher Education
- The Learning Organization
- Thinking Skills and Creativity
- Computers & Education
- Internet and Higher Education
… and many others. These are just the ones my students and I have personally researched and found that they accept literature reviews. When in doubt, email the editor of the journal you are interested in or view their back issues.
Books on Writing
Part of the course expectations are that you find a book on writing to read during the semester. These are some students have used in the past, and I have copies of most of these in my office if you want to look at them.
Books On Writing Literature Reviews
The following are some books you may choose as your text on effective academic writing. There may be others you could choose from as well.
- Pan, M. L. (2008). Preparing literature reviews: Qualitative and quantitative approaches (3rd Ed.). Glendale, CA: Pyrczak Publishing.
- Machi, L. A. & McEvoy, B. T. (2008). The literature review: Six steps to success. Corwin Press.
Books On Effective Writing & Grammar In General
The following are some books you may choose as your text on effective academic writing. There may be others you could choose from as well.
- Becker, H. S. (1998). Tricks of the trade: How to think about your research while you’re doing it. University Of Chicago Press. [I’d probably recommend one of the other books for most students].
- Belcher, W. L. (2009). Writing your journal article in 12 weeks: A guide to academic publishing success. Los Angeles: Sage.
- Fogarty, M. (2008). Grammar Girl’s quick and dirty tips for better writing. Holt Paperbacks.
- O’Conner, P. T. (2009). Woe Is I: The Grammarphobe’s guide to better English in plain English (3rd ed.). Riverhead Hardcover.
- Silvia, P. J. (2007). How to write a lot: A practical guide to productive academic writing. American Psychological Association (APA).
- Strunk, W., & White, E. B. (2008). The elements of style: 50th anniversary edition (50th ed.). Longman.
- Gray, T. (2005). Publish and Flourish. Teaching Academy of NMSU.
- Williams & Bizup, (2013). Style: Lessons in Clarity and Grace.