The Literature Review: Six Steps to Success

The go-to guide to completing a thorough, well-organized, and effective lit review!

This new edition of the best-selling book offers graduate students in education and the social sciences a road map to developing and writing an effective literature review for a research project, thesis, or dissertation. Organized around a proven six-step model and incorporating technology into all of the steps, the book provides examples, strategies, and exercises that take students step by step through the entire process:

1. Selecting a topic
2. Searching the literature
3. Developing arguments
4. Surveying the literature
5. Critiquing the literature
6. Writing the literature review

The second edition includes key vocabulary words, technology advice, and additional tips on when and how to write during the early stages―including the use of journals and memoranda―to make the literature review process a success.

SAGE Study Skills are essential study guides for students of all levels. From how to write great essays and succeeding at university, to writing your undergraduate dissertation and doing postgraduate research, SAGE Study Skills help you get the best from your time at university.

"The authors provide a clear, straightforward model for taking a researchable idea and transforming it into a research study. I have already recommended this text to all of my doctoral students!"
―Sara McNeil, Associate Professor of Education
University of Houston

"If I had known about this book when I began working on my dissertation, it would have saved me at least a full year and much, much consternation!"
―Cindy Wilson, Associate Professor and Department Chair
University of Illinois at Springfield

"The authors have compiled one of the most authoritative yet practical guides to the literature review process."
―Eugene J. Muscat, Professor
University of San Francisco

"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

Lawrence A. Machi is a Professor Emeritus of Organizational Leadership at the University of La Verne, in La Verne, California. He holds an MA in curriculum development and an Ed.D. in organizational leadership. He has taught research methods and design and has chaired doctoral dissertation research in addition to teaching classes in organizational development. He has extensive experience in higher education, and prior to his tenure at La Verne, he taught in schools of education at the University of San Francisco, St. Mary’s College of California, and Sonoma State University. Dr. Machi has served as a Fulbright Specialist and recently completed his third assignment in Taiwan at National Chung Cheng University, where he currently serves as a visiting professor.

With K–12 experience as well, he has worked as a secondary teacher and served as a school administrator in both secondary and elementary school districts in northern California. He has occupied the roles of vice principal, principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent, frequently consulting with many ­California school districts and non-profit organizations. His specialties are in the areas of organizational leadership, finance, negotiations, organizational development, and strategic thinking.

Brenda T. McEvoy taught high school English, history, and science for 36 years. Research skills were always part of her curriculum. For eight years, she worked for the California State Department of Education, leading groups of educators in improving their ability to edit and assess student writing. She has also served as a mentor for beginning English and history teachers. Participation in the California Writing Project extended her knowledge of writing and the difficulties students face when producing a major assignment. She has worked as an editor for several books, focusing on helping writers create work that is clear and logical.