Summary of How to Write a Literature Review in 30 Minutes or Less

Main Ideas and Concepts

The video titled "How to Write a Literature Review in 30 Minutes or Less" provides a structured approach to writing a Literature Review efficiently. The speaker emphasizes the importance of literature reviews in academic and professional contexts, particularly for making informed decisions based on existing research. The video outlines a five-step methodology that can help viewers complete a rough draft of a Literature Review in 30 minutes or less, assuming they have already conducted thorough research.

Key Points

• Definition and Importance of a Literature Review:
  • A Literature Review is a summary of published works on a specific topic.
  • It is crucial for gathering background information and making informed decisions, especially in professional settings (e.g., Human Resources Management).
• Preparation:
  • Before starting the Literature Review, one should have an Annotated Bibliography ready, which includes Citations and Summaries of sources.

Five-Step Methodology for Writing a Literature Review

1. Separate Citations and Summaries:
   • Create two lists: one for Citations and another for summary paragraphs of the sources.
   • The Citations will be used for the reference page, while the Summaries form the body of the Literature Review.
2. Reorder the Summaries:
   • Read through the Summaries and organize them logically based on similarities and differences.
   • Identify patterns, such as problem-solution relationships, to guide the organization.
3. Combine Related Summaries:
   • Decide which Summaries can stand alone as paragraphs and which should be combined based on their relationship and relevance.
   • Aim for concise body paragraphs (10-14 lines) that effectively convey related information.
4. Enhance Paragraphs with Topic Sentences and Transitions:
   • Add Topic Sentences to each paragraph to introduce the main idea.
   • Include transition phrases to ensure a smooth flow between Summaries and maintain coherence.
5. Add Introduction and Conclusion:
   • Write an introductory paragraph that outlines the major points and includes a Thesis Statement.
   • Conclude by restating the thesis and discussing any gaps in the research, reinforcing the overall message of the Literature Review.
   • Include a descriptive title and relevant subtitles for each section.

Final Thoughts

The Literature Review serves as a foundational step for becoming knowledgeable about a topic, enabling one to write more effectively about it later. It’s an essential tool for establishing expertise before engaging in further academic or professional writing.

Speakers/Sources Featured

The speaker of the video is not named, but they present the methodology and rationale for conducting a Literature Review effectively.

Notable Quotes

— 00:54 — « What the heck is a literature review or what the bleep is a literature review? »

— 01:00 — « Why the bleep should I care what a literature review is? »

— 04:18 — « A literature review is not something that stodgy professors assign just because they like to torture you. »

— 16:21 — « The literature review is only a preliminary step in other words it's something that you do to gather background knowledge. »

— 16:49 — « Once you've got all that background knowledge then you can write about it. »

Category

Educational

Video