Writing your literature review key pointsDocument Layout:1.5 line spacing
Size 11 font A margin of at least 2.54cm on all sides of A4 paper Candidate number as header on all pages Page number as footer on all pages If used, all appendices should be numbered according to the order in which they appear inthe text Work should be fully referenced using the LSBU Harvard system. A list of references and a bibliography should be provided at the end of the assignment The reference list includes all sources cited within the text of the assignment and the bibliography, other sources which, although not referred to in the assignment, wereconsulted and therefore helped to shape your ideas. The front cover of the assignment should clearly state:i) The student’s name & numberii) The module titleiii) The module reference numberiv) The academic level of modulev) Submission datevi) The name of the module co-coordinatorMaintain confidentiality by not referring to anypatient by name. Ensure that you do notidentify a Hospital,ward or any members of staff (See School of Health and SocialCare Confidentiality policy on Moodle). What is a Literature review?A comprehensive and critical assessment of examination of all pertinent and valid documents relating to a topic or domain.-A critical review of the literature and its relation to clinical practice.What is aliterature review?Informative–an up to date overview of thekey literature in the field –topic focused –analysis of topic –discussion of relevant theory –some identification of important methodological issues. This is acceptable as a Level 6 review.Evaluative–thereview contains a critical evaluation of the sources –covers methodological issuesand the advantages / disadvantages of methodologies –relevant theory. This would suit a Level 7 review.Integrative–synthesis of resources –comparison of resources –Pooling of data to draw new conclusions or more solid conclusions. More suited to higher level studies.
3 Types of literature review Narrative–Description and discussion of the state of science of a specific topic or theme from a theoretical and contextual point of view
Pulls information together into a readable formatPresents a broad perspectiveExplores the issue thematicallyIncludestheoretical aspectsMay include philosophical contextThefeatures of a narrativereview are very suited to this assignmentScoping StudiesExamine the extent, range and nature of research activityDetermines value of full systematic reviewSummary and dissemination of research findingsIdentifies gaps in existing literatureSystematic ReviewRigorous, protocol driven studies of all available literature on a topic.Writing the assignment
1.Keep the introduction brief –200 words is easily sufficient
2. Use all the word count –you have 3000 words (+ -10%) don’tpresent an assignment that is any less than 2700 words.
3. Offer a brief description of your search strategy –a single paragraph should be enough –state the databases searched, the key words used, and how you made decisions on which papers to select.
4.Try to structure your review around the themes that you have identified ratherthan giving a description of every paper you have read
5. Compare the different research outcomes and try to identifywhy there might be a variation in the results from the different studies you have used
.6. Make the study easy for the marker to read by presenting 3 –4 paragraphs per page.
7. Remember to only offer a summary of all yourprevious discussion in your conclusion. A conclusion should not be used to offer any new information but needs to be comprehensive and offer any recommendationsfor practice. You could also include a reflective paragraph here if you wish.
8. Ensure you have not plagiarised by submitting your work through Turnitin in plenty of time before the final submission date.
9. Check that you are submitting your final version and not a previous version of your work.