The Literature Review: Six Steps to Success

"Machi and McEvoy have crafted a guide that is absolutely elegant in its simplicity. The writers take the reader from the simple to the complex in an extremely well-written, logical sequence of bite-sized steps. This is the most useful guide to writing a literature review available anywhere."
-Leonard O. Pellicer, Distinguished Professor Emeritus
University of South Carolina

A clear, understandable six-step method for a straightforward literature review process!

Written in user-friendly language, this compact reference offers master's and doctoral-level students in education and the social sciences a roadmap to developing and writing an effective literature review for a research project, thesis, or dissertation. Organized around a comprehensive and detailed six-step developmental model, the book provides guided exercises, graphics, charts, and examples from the everyday experiences of researchers. Both novice and experienced graduate students will find invaluable assistance for:

• Selecting a topic
• Searching the literature
• Developing arguments
• Surveying the literature
• Critiquing the literature
• Writing the literature review

With additional tips, checklists, and summaries tucked into each chapter, this guide provides clear, focused direction for composing a first-rate literature review.