Description: This course is a specialized doctoral seminar taken after completing coursework, designed to guide students in developing the literature review chapter for their dissertation proposal. It is not a course perse but a chance to work on the next section of your dissertation/

The primary focus is to narrow from general studies to a specific field of interest relevant to the student’s intended dissertation topic. Students will demonstrate expertise by identifying and critiquing relevant empirical research and theoretical work, with a special emphasis on highlighting gaps in the existing literature that their dissertation could address.

Key deliverables for the sequence include:

An increased bibliography by 15-20 references.
An analytical literature review paper.

The process is collaborative, involving peer review and feedback. The final literature review is evaluated by the student’s dissertation committee as a milestone examination (“special field examination”) and is intended to form the foundation for the eventual dissertation chapter –Chapter 2

You will participate in peer review, and revise your work based on peer feedback. The revised text of the literature review will be reviewed by one to three members of your dissertation committee for your special field examination. This text may later be revised and incorporated into the literature review chapter of your dissertation.

The main differences from the general field annotated bibliography and literature review will be:

You can present what the literature says about findings in studies that are in the field or finding for studies that may be adjacent and relevant to your topic.
How does the special field answer your research questions, and confirm or deny your hypotheses? It will be hard to answer your research questions at the level of the general field, but the scope of the special field should be the scope of your research questions.
At the level of the special field, you will also be able to identify gaps in knowledge. There will be things that are missing, things that need to be addressed, and this is why you have chosen to work on this particular topic.

Web Tips

Writing a Good Research Question
Asking a Research Question

Action Items

Now that you have a good knowledge of academic writing and have gone through the general exam process, please write your Special Field Literature Review. Approximately 4000-5000 words. You may want to discuss your possible direction and outline with your advisor at this time.

Process

One possible structure for the special field literature might be:

Studies that need to be presented, practices
How the methodologies of the general filed have been applied in the special field.
The main findings generated by these methodologies
Challenges addressed by the special field: how these connect with the challenges of the general field
How the key concepts and theoretical frameworks of the general field are applied, extended or modified in the special field
Conclusion: How does the special field answer (or fail to answer adequately) your research question? What are the gaps, the areas where additional work is needed, concepts need to be clarified etc.?

Special Exam Structure – Narrows the topic, dives deeper, and presents relevant studies

1. Introduction
2. More Specific Definitions of key concepts and theories
3. Presentation and Critical analysis of recent findings/studies within the narrow topic
4. Gaps in the Literature
5. Conclusion
6. References* Remember, these are just guides. Allow the journey of discovery with the literature guide your for a more relevant outline.