Project or Thesis Literature Review Process
Do your students really know how to do research or a literature review? When asked to define literature review many, even upper level students were not be able to complete this task. Recommend students visit the library and set up a research consultation with a librarian.
Checklist for Faculty Advisors
Before embarking on synthesis, have your students successfully:
- Searched past IQP & MQP projects, and thesis and reviewed those with similar methods/topics?
- Checked web sources for bias, authority, accuracy and relevance?
- Searched in specialized library databases by Topic area?
- Utilized appropriate keywords, phrases (suggest they share research process with you, via Research Log; keyword log; or written reflection)?
- Utilized advanced search techniques to broaden or narrow their search?
- Identified key journals?
- Multiple resource types used: web based, case studies, technical reports, books, journal articles, news, etc.?
- Identified experts: scholars, associations, professional societies, international organizations?
- Gathered appropriate statistical data?
- Consulted with reference librarian to review & revisit research process (submit Research Consultation Request for a meeting)?
Literature Review Synthesis - Checklist
Have your students successfully:
- Included seminal works (if you are not familiar with area of research, suggest students meet with a librarian, or contact experts/scholars)?
- Integrated resources into a cohesive summary (ask students to analyze literature reviews that you feel are "good examples")?
- Used signal phrases to indicate authorship and/or sources?
- Appropriately documented sources?
To request research help for your students, contact research-lib@wpi.edu. If IQP or MQP, please specify on or off campus project.
Maintained by lib-webmaster@wpi.eduLast modified: May 22, 2007, 10:18 EDT
