The Literature Review
Six Steps to Success
- Lawrence A. Machi - University of La Verne, USA
- Brenda T. McEvoy - Independent Writer/ Researcher
Continuing Professional Development | Decision Making Tools | Leadership & Management
The essential guide—updated, expanded, and easier to use than ever.
Creating a successful literature review can be a daunting task, which is why so many researchers have relied on previous editions of this book to make the process more manageable. Using the six-step model, you’ll work seamlessly to narrow your research topic, focus your literature search, negotiate the myriad of books, periodicals, and reports about your topic—and, of course, write the review.
Updated, expanded, and reorganized to improve ease of use, the fourth edition of this bestselling handbook includes:
- New and improved graphics ideal for visualizing the process
- More explanations and tips, especially for writing in the early stages
- An expanded range of learning tools
- Additional reflection sections to direct metacognitive activities
- Four new reference supplements
This pioneering book has provided countless graduate students and researchers with a road map to success. Its model takes you through the logical progression needed for producing a quality literature review—while taking the mystery out of the process.
Free resources
Step 1: Select and Define a Topic
Step 1 of The Literature Review, Fourth Edition, walks through the four tasks of selecting and defining a topic for study, including graphic examples, activities, exercises, tips, and a final checklist.
This book is clearly outlined with easy-to-understand steps supported by wonderful visuals. The key vocabulary, tips section, and checklist all provide tremendous support to any reader wanting to take the needed steps to write a meaningful literature review. This book provides sections that are concise and to the point, making it very easy for readers to skim and refer back to as needed. I commend the authors for presenting such a complex task with so much simplicity. The exercises provided are a great resource for the reader, as well as to a professor who wants to use this book as a text and assign the exercises as class activities . . . I will be sharing this book with colleagues and recommending it to my graduate students. I will also be considering how I can incorporate this book into classes that I teach.
The strengths of The Literature Review include visuals, graphic organizers, checklists, practice activities, chapter structure, and glossary.
Major strengths are the detail and explicitness of the narrative. Everything is spelled out and there are lots of graphics to present a visual support for the content. The book does not skip anything but also does not talk down to the reader.
Clear, thorough, accessible, easy to read with good examples. Love the mapping in Step Three! The authors do an excellent job of discussing ideas, strategies, and tips. Logical, clear, and helpful conclusions are made throughout.
There is a clear framework for critically thinking about and applying a 6-step process for conducting a literature review . . . Unlike any other book, it provides a deep dive examination of how to approach and complete a high-quality literature review via a systematic critical thinking process.
Excellent for all stages of studying
I have recommended this text, particularly for my research project students. This is a brilliant guide for students doing research for the first time.
Used as a text for Research literacy in educational leadership and policy. An excellent resource for learning about literature review.
Very informative but a little too high for the level taught.
More apt for final year and postgrad courses.
Machi & McEvoy do a great job breaking down the literature review. The 4th edition offers some additional exercises, reading strategies, and helpful supplements.
Sample Materials & Chapters
Step 1: Select and Define a Topic
Step 2: Develop the Tools of Argumentation