WhatisaProfessionalLiteratureReview.docx

What is a Professional Literature Review? Not to be confused with a book review, a literature review surveys scholarly articles, books and other sources (e.g. dissertations, conference proceedings) relevant to a particular issue, area of research, or theory, providing a description, summary, and critical evaluation of each work. The purpose is to offer an overview of significant literature published on a topic. USC Libraries HOWEVER For this class, you will NOT survey the literature regarding an issue, but you WILL survey a journal in your field. Professional Literature Review Evaluate a journal in your field Summarize questions or controversies Explain why it is important for someone entering your field to be aware of the conversations that are presented in this journal, web site, trade magazine, etc. Magazine Or Journal? Scholarly Journals Report original research, discoveries, experimentation, reviews, or essays Are written by and for scholars and researchers in the field, and aimed at scholarly readers such as professors, scientists, and advanced students Cite sources and provide footnotes and/or bibliographies Are often peer reviewed by an editor or specialists in the field for accuracy Often contain graphs, statistics, case studies Are often published by academic or association presses Example:    Journal of Political Ecology, Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, Journal of Advertising Magazine Or Journal? Popular Magazines Articles are written and designed to entertain or persuade Articles are usually written by professional journalists or writers for a general audience Articles rarely cite sources or contain a bibliography Are published by commercial, for-profit presses Example: The Economist, The Atlantic Monthly, Popular Photography Magazine Or Journal? Trade Journals Focus on a specific profession or industry Articles are written for professional or trade-associated audiences by scholars, freelance writers,