Review of the Literature

1. Review of the Literature The VI Writer’s Workshop

2. The Objective of the Review of the Literature is to . . . • Zero in on the research that relates to your project. • Identify the most important research that has already been done in the area. • Get specific information on your research topic. • Organize what’s already been done so you can demonstrate how your project fits into the scheme of things.

3. What are the steps to doing a Review of the Literature?

4. Start with your research topic (hypothesis) • Example: Students whose primary reading medium is braille and who use both hands to track reading material are faster readers who demonstrate higher comprehension.

5. Identify the variables . . . • Students whose primary reading medium is braille and who use both hands to track reading material are faster readers who demonstrate higher comprehension. • braille, both hands, faster, higher comprehension.

6. Select the most important and logical descriptors. . . • Students whose primary reading medium is braille and who use both hands to track reading material are faster readers who demonstrate higher comprehension. • braille, both hands, faster, higher comprehension • DESCRIPTORS: braille AND hands • .

7. Note that you MAY have done this during your Preliminary Evaluation of the Literature, depending on how much you’ve decided to narrow down (or otherwise change) your topic.

8. Print the List . . . • Unless this list is IDENTICAL with the one that you had when you did your Preliminary Evaluation, print this list. • BE SURE THAT YOU DISCARD THE PRELIMINARY LIST!

9. Do the research … • Log in to “mySFA” • Click on the “myCourses” tab

10. On the left side of the page there is a column of links. • One of these says “Ralph W. Steen Library.” • Click on that.

11. You will be taken to the home page for the Steen Library. • Below the date, you will see a column of links titled “Popular at Steen Library.” • The second link is “Databases.” Click on that.

12. The next page will be titled “Databases—A to Z list.” • The alphabet will be across the top of the page. • Click on “E.”

13. Under “E” the 11th link will be “ERIC (EBSCO).” • Click on that.

14. This screen will have an EBSCO host logo (blue circle) next to a search engine box. • Enter your descriptors in the box. • BE SURE TO CAPITALIZE THE WORD ‘AND’ when you put them in. • Hit “Search” and see what comes up!

15. Select the appropriate articles • 1. 
Hand Movements and Braille Reading Efficiency: Data from the Alphabetic Braille and Contracted Braille StudyFull Text Available

. By: Wright, Tessa; Wormsley, Diane P.; Kamei-Hannan, Cheryl. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, v103 n10 p649-661 Oct 2009. (EJ858206)Database: ERIC
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16. 2. 
The Role of Hand Dominance in Beginning Braille ReadersFull Text Available

. By: Wright, Tessa. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, v103 n10 p705-708 Oct 2009. (EJ858211)Database: ERIC
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17. Copy the citation • Title:Hand Movements and Braille Reading Efficiency: Data from the Alphabetic Braille and Contracted Braille Study • Author(s):Wright, Tessa;†Wormsley, Diane P.;†Kamei-Hannan, Cheryl • Source:Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, v103 n10 p649-661 Oct 2009. 13 pp. (Peer Reviewed Journal) Abstract:Using a subset of data from the Alphabetic Braille and Contracted Braille Study, researchers analyzed the patterns and characteristics of hand movements as predictors of reading performance. Statistically significant differences were found between one- and two-handed readers and between patterns of hand movements and reading rates. (Contains 6 figures and 2 tables.)

18. Copy the abstract • Abstract: Using a subset of data from the Alphabetic Braille and Contracted Braille Study, researchers analyzed the patterns and characteristics of hand movements as predictors of reading performance. Statistically significant differences were found between one- and two-handed readers and between patterns of hand movements and reading rates. (Contains 6 figures and 2 tables.)

19. Copy the full text of the article Read the article and highlight important points

20. For REALLY important information. . • Copy the information from the article and paste it into your notes section below the abstract. • Be sure to put the information in quotation marks (so you’ll remember it’s a direct quote) • And also be sure to include a page number

21. Page 656 “The growth curve analysis found a significant difference in the rate of growth between participants who used a one-handed reading pattern and those who used a two-handed reading pattern. The initial measurement point was not significantly different (B = -6.26, p = .384). However, the participants who used a two-handed reading pattern had a significantly steeper growth trajectory (B = 7.21, p < .05). This finding indicates that the reading speed of the participants who used a two-handed reading pattern increased at a greater rate than did the reading speed of the participants who used a one-handed reading pattern.”

22. Next comes the fun part -- ORGANIZING!!

23. Make piles of similar articles and materials • Print your citation/notes pages. • After reviewing all of your notes, determine the three or four dominant groups of ideas. • Literally make three or four piles of paper. • Decide what you’re going to call each category. • Go back through each pile and put the MOST significant study on top, the second under it, and so on through all of your notes.

24. Outline • Make an outline with the category name first and each of the studies listed under it. • Example: • I. Definition of hand movement patterns • Wormsley (2009) • Jones (2000) • Brown (1998) • Snodgrass (2007) • II. Correlation between hand movement patterns and reading speed • Thompson (1995) • Elton (2001)

25. Once the outline is finished, write a short paragraph on each article, then go back and weave them together by writing transition sentences and an introduction to each large idea area.

26. After you’ve reviewed each of the articles, write a short summary paragraph that ties the information you’ve uncovered directly to your research hypothesis.

27. Begin writing … • Plug the article summaries into the outline.

28. Weave the summaries together into paragraph, writing transition sentences between each topic.