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how to write your dissertation literature review

10/18/2019

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Writing a literature review is daunting (hey, writing a dissertation is daunting!)

While dissertation formats vary between universities and disciplines, most (if not all) require a literature review.  

In this post I'll walk you through my process in developing an organization system that helped me write my dissertation literature review. It's a long post, but I wanted it all to be in one place for you so it's not broken up into different articles. 

First, I'll walk you through my back story in the dissertation literature review process, and describe my overall system of organization.

Then, I'll describe 2 methods to take you from reading articles to taking notes to organizing your notes into themes.

Lastly, I'll wrap up with thoughts on how to continue your literature review in a cohesive and transparent way.

All external links open in a new window.
JUMP TO:
​
Back story
Creating your organization system
From papers to notes to topics
​Organizing notes into topics

Did you find this post helpful?

Let me know in the comments!  
​
​
LINK BACKS: if you feature my images or ideas on your website, please directly link back and do not crop images.
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Background photo by freddie marriage on Unsplash

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day 13: remember your why

12/19/2018

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Remember your why #EpiWritingChallenge
Why do we write?

To communicate the science.

More immediately, we write for our CV, for our tenure packet, for our career. 

But originally, we wrote to communicate the science in a time before email and the Internet.

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day 11: how to strengthen your argument

12/19/2018

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How to strengthen your argument #EpiWritingChallenge
“Countless manuscripts are rejected because the discussion section is so weak that it’s obvious the writer does not clearly understand the existing literature.” - Angel Borja​
What an eye-opening statement from Angel Borja, established scientist, and experienced reviewer and editor.

In this post, we'll summarize some key writing tips aimed at strengthening your argument. We'll also think about what peer reviewers and editors are looking for in a submitted manuscript. 

All of these tips build strongly upon what we've discussed in the #EpiWritingChallenge so far - keeping it simple, writing clearly, getting to the point, etc.

With that being said, I'll get to the point.

​

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day 10: using reverse outlines

12/19/2018

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Using reverse outlines to edit your writing #EpiWritingChallenge
On Day 6 we talked about using an outline to organize your writing.

​Making a plan before writing is helpful, but we also make new connections and discover new information while we are writing.

So then what’s a reverse outline?

These tips on making a reverse outline from 
www.thesiswhisperer.com can help get you started.

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day 9: crystal clear writing (part 3)

12/19/2018

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Using voice-to-text to clarify your writing #EpiWritingChallenge
In Crystal Clear Writing: Part I we mentioned “writing like you speak”.

Thinking through what to say in your head often results in prose that is more “interior decoration” than “architecture”.


Take the guesswork out of your head and speak aloud, and typing as you speak.

​If this feels silly, or if you’re feeling overly influenced by seeing your text on the screen, then cover the screen and type blindly.

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day 8: crystal clear writing (part 2)

12/19/2018

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Get to the point #EpiWritingChallenge

In Part 2, we're going to talk about an overall approach to manuscript writing that keeps your purpose clear and your words simple.

​We'll also touch on words we commonly mix up. 



​On Day 3 of the challenge (Read Before You Write), we talked about reading before you write. Many of the #EpiWritingChallenge participants were excited that reading counts as writing and they shared tips on how you stay on top of your reading piles.

Day 3 of the #EpiWritingChallenge: Read before you write. Reading regularly allows you to absorb information and influence what you put back out into the science literature.

— Bailey DeBarmore (@BaileyDeBarmore) November 7, 2018

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day 7: crystal clear writing (part 1)

12/19/2018

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Crystal Clear Writing - Keep it Simple #EpiWritingChallenge
During the #EpiWritingChallenge we did 3 whole days dedicated to Crystal Clear Writing.

Part 1: Keep it Simple
Part 2: Get to the Point
Part 3: Using Voice-to-Text

​In the first week of the challenge, we had some great Twitter conversations about how challenging it can be to read methods papers. 

Dr. Bill Miller pointed out the flip-side of challenging reads: it's not that the content is necessarily complicated, but that it is likely poorly written.

Keep in mind that many times when you need to read something over and over, it is because it is poorly written, rather than a problem with you and your ability to understand. We should write so that others can understand easily in one pass. #EpiWritingChallenge

— Bill Miller (@BillMiller_Epi) November 8, 2018

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day 6: using outlines to plan

12/18/2018

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Using outlines to plan #EpiWritingChallenge
The opening line of this Grammarly article by Karen Hertzberg is better than I could ever write:
"When I was a novice writer, I chafed at the idea of using an outline. I was certain organizing my thoughts in advance would stifle my creativity and make my writing stiff and uninspired. After all, how can serendipity happen if you’ve got everything planned?"
Is that how you feel, too? Or do you start with an outline every time you write?

No matter which camp you're in - or even if you're straddling both sides - let's go through the basics of using an outline to plan your writing so you can make an educated decision.
By the way, if you haven't jumped on the Grammarly train yet, you're really missing out. The plug-in is easy to use, and not-in-the-way. It's helped me improved my writing on every platform I type on (which is all of them). 

Check it out here and at @Grammarly on Twitter.

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day 5: structuring your argument

12/18/2018

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Structuring your argument #EpiWritingChallenge
On Day 11, we talk about how to strengthen your argument. Check it out here. 
Traditional journal articles have a familiar but rigid structure: Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion.

So, when you’re writing anything 
but a traditional journal article, how do you structure your argument?

If you’re thinking to yourself, "But I’m not writing an argument?" I would counter that if you’re writing something to illustrate your perspective, it’s an argument even if there isn’t a clear counter suit. 

Keep reading for some bookmark-worthy resources and an introduction to the "Print Cut Shuffle" method.


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day 4: you gotta be teachable

12/18/2018

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You gotta be teachable #EpiWritingChallenge
In this age of email communication, the mood you’re in when you read strongly influences the way you perceive what you’re reading.

On Day 2 we talked about scheduling time for writing, and on Day 3 we mentioned allocating time for reading (and for answering emails).


Setting aside time to review feedback allows you to adjust your mindset.

Those changes won’t land like a bombshell on your day, but instead on an open and teachable mind.

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day 3: read before you write

12/18/2018

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Read before you write #EpiWritingChallenge

why spend time reading when I could be writing?

While writing regularly is an exercise in “practice makes perfect”, to truly provide good science communication, you should be absorbing information from your environment, allowing it to influence what you put back out.
Never stop learning, never stop reading.

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day 2: scheduling time and making space

12/18/2018

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Today we're talking about scheduling time for writing and making space for writing - both to improve productivity and to create a new habit. Let's jump in. 
Scheduling time and making space to write #EpiWritingChallenge
Creating a new habit takes time, and with something like writing, it’s particularly effective to take advantage of your most productive time of day.

We often kickstart our mornings by checking our emails (here’s 7 reasons why you shouldn’t start your day with that) but if you’re a morning person, blocking off time to write would be better use of your time.
 ​


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day 1: setting smart goals

12/18/2018

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Setting SMART Goals #EpiWritingChallenge
To kick off the first #EpiWritingChallenge, we started by setting SMART goals.

SMART goals are
  • specific 
  • measurable 
  • achievable 
  • results-focused
  • time-bound​
Goals for writing challenges often fall in one of several types:
  • Writing daily (time goals, content goals)
  • Starting a project
  • Finishing a project
  • Working on a skill

You may have an overall objective of finishing your dissertation, or a large project, or making time in your daily schedule to improve your writing. All of these can be broken down into SMART goals. ​
The first #EpiWritingChallenge occurred in November 2018. All 20 days are documented here as blog posts, and have been edited to be applicable beyond the challenge. Learn more about the #EpiWritingChallenge here. 

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Ask the Editor 2018

12/14/2018

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​On November 30th, we wrapped up the #EpiWritingChallenge with an #AskTheEditor event. Public health researchers and epidemiologists tuned in all day to ask questions about publishing, reviewing, editing, submission, writing, the works!


We heard from Bill Miller, Editor-in-Chief of STD Journal, and Associated Editor at Epidemiology, Tim Lash, Editor-in-Chief of Epidemiology, Andy Olshan, Editor-in-Chief of Current Epidemiology Reports, Petra Wark, Associate Editor at Nutrition Journal, Justin Lessler, Associated Editor at American Journal of Epidemiology, Nicola Low, Deputy Editor at STI BMJ and Specialty Consulting Editor at PLOS Med, and Emily DeVoto​, Deputy Editor at Epidemiology. ​
#AskTheEditor from the 2018 #EpiWritingChallenge
One of my favorite parts of being part of a professional Twitter community like #EpiTwitter is how it brings together all the ranks – from students to trainees to early career professors and the highest and mightiest. This #AskTheEditor event was a prime example. Bill Miller, the chair of the Epidemiology Department at the Ohio State University proposed the idea, and I eagerly jumped on board. We rounded up some great editors and had people tweet us their questions.
​
I’ve summarized the great questions and answers exchanged during the course of the day, and categorized them generally below. Be sure to bookmark this page, and feel free to share with colleagues. 

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10 commonly confused words

6/13/2017

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10 Commonly Confused Words and How to Fix Them from Bailey DeBarmore

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tips for writing in grad school

5/23/2017

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At some point in your grad school career, you should be writing.

For me, it cycles through the challenge of writing while in classes to the wide open space of vacations and summers when I should be writing, but seem to do every other thing on my to do list before sitting down at my computer. 

Over the past few years, I've stumbled across some great writing resources, many provide subscription emails. A few subject lines from these resources popped out at me this morning from my inbox, and I'd like to share. 
Tips for Writing in Grad School from Bailey DeBarmore

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the 5 best writing tips

6/6/2016

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To Be or Not To Be

In ninth grade English, one of our first assignments was to produce a book report without using the verb “to be” in any form. The purpose was to expand our vocabulary and make us actually think when we wrote (I think). It was hard, but it shaped how I approach writing. I would even say it helped me find my voice over the past decade. 

​To continue reading, click below. 
The 5 Best Writing Tips for Grad Students from Bailey DeBarmore

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how to email your professor

5/25/2016

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​A past professor encouraged us to reformat our emails to busy supervisors. Often we start with pleasantries, and hide our true purpose for emailing in a body of text or at the bottom of the email. Get to the point with these templates.

​To continue reading, click below. 
How to email your professor without wasting their time | Bailey DeBarmore

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keep the momentum going

3/10/2016

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When I have a particularly productive day working on my thesis, I come to a stopping point and just want to shut my computer and move to the next activity. While this is satisfying, it comes back to bite you in the bum. ​
Keep the Momentum Going | Productivity and Writing | Graduate School | Bailey DeBarmore
The next day, when I open my computer, I have a plethora of documents open and datasets and do files without the slightest clue if its saved. I need multiple documents open when synthesizing results, but this system doesn't let you jump back in.

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  • Home
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