There are few steps and reminders to find your way back to writing literature review chapter.
Making the best of your dissertation literature review is one of the best ways to start the whole writing process. It entails a whole lot of research and filtering. It makes the evolution of your piece,
from a proposal, smoother and active.
While this is the time to be receptive and selective of the references you read and actually include in the particular chapter, it is not easy to stay focused. Because you are still at the start of your research, reading slightly relevant or unrelated references is inevitable.
And when you are caught in this evil spell of pointless perusal, how do you find your way back to writing literature review chapter? Below are a number of steps and reminders to do so:
1.
Don’t ignore the telltale signs of irrelevance. Perhaps, something in the reference’s title tells that it’s something else. And to ensure that you don’t miss it and confirm your gut feeling’s accuracy, you prod on the abstract, summary, or any briefs provided with the reference. When such signals manifest themselves, do not ever ignore them. Take them with you as you decide or avert from prematurely dismissing the reference.
2.
Acknowledge that you’re off-track. Either, the material is not what you’d want in your dissertation literature review chapter or it’s you that’s “off” – you got to quickly figure it out. If it’s simply the material, then you can ditch reading and look for another; if it’s you, then you’d have to take a break, as continuing might only result to another off-track step.
3.
Immediately consider options. Sometimes, when you realise that you’re not in the zone, you’d struggle to think of what to do. In such case, just imagine where you were imagining going – to take another reference, or to take a break, and so forth. Thinking where you were supposed to go or write will remind you of the route and aids you’re getting back through the options.
4.
Work on the chosen option. This step is the actual ‘going back on track’ measure. However, to ensure that you won’t have to veer to unnecessary detours, take note what set you off course and make adjustments like, retrofitting your keyword for the search.
Evidently, working on the dissertation literature review chapter can prove to be tricky. Perhaps, if you are able to conquer such, you can do the same with the subsequent chapters.
