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Turn Your Literature Review Into An Argument
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Turn Your Literature Review Into An Argument
Little Quick Fix



September 2019 | 144 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
Frequently students confuse literature reviews with summaries of existing research, and they can easily get overwhelmed by the amount of material they have to consider and filter as part of their review. Likewise, they don’t often realize that a considered, planned, structured and balanced argument forms the bedrock of a successful research project. Outlining what a literature review is - and isn’t - and showcasing how to use the literature to your advantage to construct a strong academic argument, this Little Quick Fix answers important questions like

- What is the purpose of a literature review?

- How can I tell the difference between an argument and an academic argument?

- What do I need to create my argument?

- What do I need from an article to support my argument?

- How do I create a counterargument?

- How can I make sure I’m creating a strong argument and plausible counterargument?

- How can I win my argument?

Students need help over hurdles at every stage of their research project. They want simple, powerful, accessible tools that deliver results fast. They need to meet interim assessment deadlines and prove that they have successfully passed through multiple stages of their project, or need to master a stage of understanding in a learning cascade before they can proceed to the next week in their methods module. 

Their supervisors are increasingly unable to help, but will still be assessing results. Students need more than YouTube.

Titles in the Little Quick Fix series offer:

·       Visual, design-led learning

·       Clear, structured, useful pedagogy

·       A hand-holding,  step-by-step approach for students who are less able, or less academically prepared by school so far

·       Effective self-directed learning with DIY progress tracking

·       A stand-in for the busy/unavailable supervisor

 
What is the purpose of literature review?
 
How can I tell the difference between an argument and an academic argument?
 
How do I begin to create to create my argument?
 
How do I progress my argument?
 
How do I convey my argument?
 
Why do I need a counter-argument?
 
How can I make sure I’m creating strong arguments?
 
How can I win my argument?

Accessible and focused

Ms Paula Hearsum
School of Arts and Media, Brighton University
July 17, 2020

this is a neat little book in many ways (I guess this mirrors the others in the series) and it did take me just an hour to read through
I think it will help our students with the issue of criticality in building their arguments and I shall use it to inform my teaching and can signpost toward the book appropriately
If I have a quibble (and it's not about content) it's about presentation - I saw some grammatical and typo type problems but that's a fairly minor thing really.

Dr Richard Parker
Education,Communication & Language Sciences, Newcastle University
October 25, 2019

An easy to pick up book for those new to literature reviewing.
Intend to use in Professional Studies Group for Secondary PGCE trainees completing their professional development research projects.

Mrs Nicola Sowe
NBS Consultancy and Training, NBS Consultancy and Training (Teaching and Learning)
January 9, 2021

I am not sure what level this is appropriate for. Maybe this is an issue of national education systems, but here in Germany, this book is too basic for most undergraduates. Even though the points in it are valid and true, in their bullet point form they cannot tackle the more difficult issues our students query.

Dr Clare Hindley
Language and Communication, IUBH School of Business and Management
November 3, 2020

A small book which captures the essentials of writing a review with excellent clarity.

Dr Jyrki Tuomainen
Speech, Hearing and Phonetic Sciences, University College London
December 18, 2019

A clear and quick guide to support students in turning their literature review in an argument. This book was easy to navigate and accessible to all levels of learners on the level 6 programme.

Mrs MINE TANA
HESC Office, Barnet And Southgate College
February 12, 2020

It is user friendly and provides many 'aha' moments for students who are struggling to understand what is expected of them.

Mr David Burgess
Faculty of Health and Science, University of Suffolk
March 2, 2021

Helps students develop their critical evaluation skills

Mrs Carol Ellis
Allied Health & Medicine (Chelmsford), Anglia Ruskin University
September 28, 2020

this short fix, is essential for students as it highlights the necessary points without the detailed account common in other literature books. Students found it easy to use.

Mr Michael Donaldson
Social Science, Glasgow Kelvin College
December 19, 2019

Such a clever little book!

The author breaks down all the key messages and makes them accessible in a simple, yet effective way.

I am sure all students will find it extremely useful when working on their literature review, especially those at post-graduate and doctoral levels.

Dr Leda Kamenopoulou
School of Education, Roehampton University
February 18, 2020

Robert Thomas

Dr. Thomas is currently a Lecturer (Marketing) at Aston Business School. Dr. Thomas’s primary research interests and publications encompass Brand Management, specifically the areas associated with sponsorship, fandom, co-creation, and brand community. His work has been published the European Journal of Marketing, Computers in Human Behavior, Journal of Marketing Management, Journal of Product and Brand Management, Young Consumers, Strategic Change: Briefings in Entrepreneurial Finance, and IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management. Dr. Thomas sits on the editorial boards for Journal of Product and Brand Management and International... More About Author