Library Instruction for writing a Literature Review

COM244: Advocacy Through Media

Literature Review as a part of the Group Project

I. A Brief Description of a Literature Review

II. Locating examples of Literature Reviews

III. Ideas for gathering research and information

IV. In-Text Citations, Quotes and Images

Group Project

Step 1. History/Background of Community Organization

Step 2. Identify the Advocacy issue

Step 3. Rationale

Step 4. Literature Review

• An account of what has been published on a topic by accredited scholars and researchers.
• A literature review is a piece of discursive prose, not a list describing or summarizing one piece of literature after another.
• Use of scholarly research (books, journal articles, internet resources) related to your advocacy issue to help explain and bolster the argument for you project/advocacy issue.
• Note: At least six sources

Step 5. Situation Analysis

Step 6. Strategy

Step 7. Findings and Analysis

Step 8. Recommendations, Conclusions, Bibliography, Appendix

• Bibliography: All sources consulted for the paper
• Appendix: Copies of flyers/posters, public service announcements, short articles, etc. All images under copyright must be credited.

I. A Brief Description of a Literature Review

A review of the literature is important because without it you will not acquire an understanding of your topic, of what has already been done on it, how it has been researched, and what the key issues are. A literature review may include theories, priorities of the field, and criticisms. The primary purpose is to demonstrate that you have a grasp of the significant ideas and values of a particular program or agency. Basically, you want to show some command of the subject. Note that the place for new directions is usually in the Conclusions section of the paper.

Everything mentioned in the literature review must be listed in your bibliography.

II. Locating examples of Literature Reviews

Proquest: Advanced Search

Example 1

Alternative (Citation and Abstract)

Transportation (Citation and Abstract)

Literature review (Citation and Document Text)

Mackett, R. L. (2003). Why do people use their cars for short trips?

            Transportation, 30(3), 329 – 349.

Example 2

Community Employment - Citation and Abstract

Literature Review - Citation and Document Text

Marrone, J.,  Hoff, D., & Gold, M. (1999). Organizational change for community

                                    employment. Journal of Rehabilitation, 65(2), 10 – 20.

III. Ideas for gathering research and information

Library Catalog:

            KEYWORD SEARCH - vocational services (Limit to 2000)

                        Workforce Investment and Rehabilitation acts : improving service…

                                    Look at online version, other subjects

            KEYWORD SEARCH - occupational retraining (Limit to 2000)

KEYWORD SEARCH – community AND arts (Limit to 2000)

Databases & Indexes (Available through the Library)

Bellingham Herald (Search Databases Alphabetically by Title)

              “community to community”

"Northwest Institute for nonprofit excellence"

alternative transportation (database automatically inserts AND)

Specialized Databases: Proquest, PsychInfo, ERIC (Education)

            Example in ERIC (Search Databases Alphabetically by Title)

                        Advanced Search: Arts AND education AND community

                Alan, K. (2000). Art and community development: The role the arts have in

                regenerating communities. Community Development Journal, 35(4), 414-24.

IV. In-Text Citations, Quotes and Images

Handouts – In-Text Citations, Quotes and Images

Plagiarism Brochure

APA Help Guide – Search the Library Website for APA help guide