Chapter Two: The Literature ReviewWrite an introduction: a contract with your audience. The introduction should orient an audience to the purpose of the chapter and then succinctly present and justify the chapter’s organization.The research problem. A literature review is written as a stand-alone, or potentially publishable document. Briefly reiterate the content focus of the review.Theoretical FrameworkDiscuss the context in which the proposed work will take place and the likely variables to which a PI will need to orient to, adjust for, within the proposed project. Then discuss the presiding theory(s) a PI will consider to guide and inform the study construct.Study Specific HeadingsA student should be encouraged to propose a sequence of study/content specific headings. The first might be a general topic such as: special education inclusion. The next topic might discuss guiding legislation and parameters within which the study must comply. The third might be a discussion of comparative models and so forth. If models were discussed, secondary headings would be appropriate for each discussed.Methodological DesignsThe actual heading can be individualized, but the purpose remains the same. For example, a heading could be Tested Interventions. Here, a PI looks at comparative methods applied by others. A comprehensive review would look at several efforts. The PI would detail individual strengths and potential shortcomings. The section concludes with a choice and defense of method to be presented in chapter three.SummaryWhat has the PI learned and now directing pursuit of a specific method?Research QuestionsHaving completed an exhaustive and comprehensive review of literature, what questions will direct study design? The PI considers questions applicable and answerable within the methodology.
