LibGuides: Economics: Write your research with literature review and citation

Introduction: Write your research with literature review and citation

At the Library, we offer a collection of guides and resources to help you conduct your literature review, cite your sources (including data), and develop your academic writing skills.

What is a literature review?

Research, and the literature review in particular, is a cyclical process. There is an art to the sometimes messy, thrilling, and frustrating process of conducting a lit review.

Read widely but selectively.
Follow the citation trail -- building on previous research by reviewing bibliographies of articles and books that are close to your interest.
Synthesize previous research on the topic.

Aim to include both summary and synthesis.

Focus on ways to have the body of literature tell its own story. Do not add your own interpretations at this point.
Look for patterns and find ways of tying the pieces together.

Conducting a literature review

Throw out a wide net and read, read, read.
How many sources do you need? What types of sources? Which citation style should you use? What time period should it cover? Is currency important? What do you need to be aware of related to scholarly versus popular materials?
Explored synonyms and alternative phrases in your searches. You will eventually begin to find the same articles and materials in your searches.

Writing a literature review

The initial work Identify the organizational structure you want to use: chronologically, thematically, or methodologically
Start writing: let the literature tell the story, find the best examples, summarize instead of quote, synthesize by rephrasing (but cite!) in the context of your work

Citations

Below are a few key resources to get you started:

Citation
by Academic Engagement Last Updated Oct 1, 2024 56750 views this year

Citing datasets

Help with Writing Papers

Developing a Thesis for a Research Paper
This very helpful guide from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Writing Center discusses the art of crafting a thesis.
Improve Your Research Skills
This guide discusses some of the basics of doing college level research, including tips for evaluating sources and a glossary of terms with examples.
Brown University Writing Center
"The Writing Center is a satellite office of the Dean of the College. The Center is staffed by graduate students from a variety of academic disciplines. Staff members are experienced writers and teachers who participate in ongoing training in composition and Writing Center theory and practice...Writing Center conferences generally last an hour. Experienced as well as inexperienced writers are encouraged to come to the Center with their writing concerns. Writing Center Associates are prepared to discuss all stages of the writing process, from finding a topic up through revision and editing strategies. Associates can help writers deal with writer's block, audience awareness, argumentation, organization, grammar, research skills, the conventions of academic writing, English as a Second Language, and issues of clarity and style."