Mini Lit Review Assignment
Due Feb 28
Purpose:
introduce you to (or allow you to further acquaint yourself with) different types of sources and how to access them.
teach you to break down a piece of writing into its component parts: the topic/question, the evidence, the argument, the citations, etc.
give you the opportunity to read somewhat in-depth into a topic and to understand how different pieces are engaged in an intellectual conversation with one another.
practice synthesizing other scholars ideas and arguments together.
Assignment guidelines:
Step 1: Identify 10 related articles.
Step 2: Create summary sheets for each article
Step 2: Enter these articles into your synthesis matrix following the guidelines discussed in class.
Step 3: Synthesize these articles into a miniature review of this literature.
Your literature review should be five double spaced pages of written text and organized by the themes that emerge from your synthesis matrix. You must use APA 6th edition for format your paper including the layout (cover page, text citations, and references).
Writing a Lit Review and Using a Synthesis Matrix
I have to write a lit review – what do I do?
To being you have to know that when writing a literature review, the goal of the researcher is to determine the current state of knowledge about a particular topic by asking, What do we know or not know about this issue? In conducting this type of research, it is imperative to examine several different sources to determine where the knowledge overlaps and where it falls short. A literature review requires a synthesis of different subtopics to come to a greater understanding of the state of knowledge on a larger issue. It works very much like a jigsaw puzzle. The individual pieces (arguments) must be put together in order to reveal the whole (state of knowledge).
So basically I just read the articles and summarize each one separately?
No, a literature review is not a summary. Rather than merely presenting a summary of each source, a literature review should be organized according to each subtopic discussed about the larger topic. For example, one section of a literature review might read Researcher A suggests that X is true. Researcher B also argues that X is true, but points out that the effects of X may be different from those suggested by Researcher A. It is clear that subtopic X is the main idea covered in these sentences. Researchers A and B agree that X is true, but they disagree on Xs effects. There is both agreement and disagreement, but what links the two arguments is the fact that they both concern X.
This sounds like a lot of information; how do I keep it organized?
Because a literature review is NOT a summary of these different sources, it can be very difficult to keep your research organized. It is especially difficult to organize the information in a way that makes the writing process simpler. One way that seems particularly helpful in organizing literature reviews is the synthesis matrix. The synthesis matrix is a chart that allows a researcher to sort and categorize the different arguments presented on an issue. Across the top of the chart are the spaces to record sources, and along the side of the chart are the spaces to record the main points of argument on the topic at hand. As you examine your first source, you will work vertically in the column belonging to that source, recording as much information as possible about each significant idea presented in the work. Follow a similar pattern for your following sources. As you find information that relates to your already identified main points, put it in the pertaining row. In your new sources, you will also probably find new main ideas that you need to add to your list at the left. You now have a completed matrix!
As you write your review, you will work horizontally in the row belonging to each point discussed. As you combine the information presented in each row, you will begin to see each section of your paper taking shape. Remember, some of the sources may not cover all of the main ideas listed on the left, but that can be useful also. The gaps on your chart could provide clues about the gaps in the current state of knowledge on your topic. Creating Your Synthesis Matrix
Its probably best to begin your chart by labeling the columns both horizontally and vertically. The sample chart below illustrates how to do this:
Topic: __________________________________________
Label the rows down across the top of your chart with the authors last name or with a few keywords from the title of the work. Then columns of the table with the main ideas that your sources discuss about your topic. As you read each source, make notes in the appropriate column about the information discussed in the work, as shown in the following chart. Synthesis Grid Example
Topic: The Effect of Technology on Romantic Relationships
Writing Your Mini Lit Review
Here is an example literature review on The Effect of Technology on Romantic Relationships write up based on the synthesis grid above. This excerpt synthesizes information without summarizing.
While researchers agree that technology affects individuals, it is clear that technologys affects are not the same across the board. Clayton, Leshner and Almond (2017) caution that technologys impact depends on the type of relationship it facilitates. In particular they argue that its not the relationship type that determines how much one maintains their relationship but how strong or weak their ties are (Clayton et al., 2017). People with strong ties are more likely to use technology in positive way to improve and maintain their relationships. Those with weak ties are not impacted by either way by technology use.
Beyond relationship type, relational closeness can also be impacted by the mere presence of technology. Przybylski and Weinstein (2016) found that their participants reported decreased feelings of closeness toward their partner when cell phones were merely present when they spoke to their romantic partner. Others argue that its not technology that impacts perception of relational quality but instead, differences are a product of the users age. For example, Panova and Lleras (2018) found that participants rated their relationships as more fulfilling when technology was not always present, however they caution this finding may be a result of their participants digital native experience.
