Welcome to Day 1 of the Under(Graduate) Literature Review Challenge!
Today we will begin looking at what comprises a literature review, and identify ways to refine a research topic.
In a nutshell, a literature review brings together a range of relevant works on a topic, and is intended to:
Although a literature review tells a story, the research process that goes into that storytelling is nonlinear. There are likely many lines of study/angles/perspectives on your topic(s), and a literature review is an opportunity for you to make meaning of all that you are learning.
To get started, it's important to identify a researchable topic, and a research question that will drive your research process, and ultimately, your writing process. Watch these two short videos that suggest ways to define and/or refine a topic for a research project.
Today's Task: Modify This Template to Define or Further Refine a Research Question You're Working On
Feel free to do some initial research to help you further refine your research question and identify ideas you think fit into the template above. It is common to modify your research question, and your assumptions about what you think you'll find, as you learn more about your topic. So, don't feel like you're stuck with your original idea if you find that there's a particular direction you now want to take, or if you find that what you were originally interested in has already been answered. That's the beauty, and flexibility, of research!
Note: when you click on the Template link above, you will be asked if you'd like to make a copy of the template. Say yes, and you'll be ready to modify your template!
Optional, BONUS Task 1: Email your Subject Specialist (a librarian who works specifically within your discipline or on your research topic area) and Set Up a Meeting!
Subject librarians are great at brainstorming ideas with you, suggesting ways to refine your research question(s), helping you optimize your search for relevant literature, and helping you make sense of what you find.
Note: If you're not sure whom to contact, reach out to me, Jen Bonnet, at jenbonnet@maine.edu!
Optional, BONUS Task 2: Set Up a Meeting with the Writing Center!
Book an appointment with a Writing Center peer tutor to get feedback on your writing project, whether it's a paper, presentation, grant proposal, or thesis. They serve undergraduate and graduate students, and are excited to work with you!
Additionally, find inspiration in these writing pro-tips aimed at developing and refining a research topic.
Note: when you click the link above to set up a meeting, you'll need to create an account if you don't already have one, using your maine.edu login.
Nice job! You completed Day 1 of the Under(Graduate) Literature Review Challenge!
Stay tuned tomorrow for strategic search tips and tricks.
