Community of Online Research Assignments

Lesson Plan October 14, 2024

Dissertation's Literature Review

Short Description

The literature review design (LRD) tool helps design a traditional review nested in the dissertation or thesis. It was created based on the interactive Hopscotch research design framework (Jorrin-Abellan, 2020). 

  • Students are asked to answer questions in the LRD form and engage with resources in the Guide to LRD. 
  • Students may stop working on the form (after steps 3, 5, and 6) and submit preliminary results (Save & Submit).
  •  Ultimately, they will receive the graphical representation of the literature review (table) and literature review protocol. 

Learning Outcomes

  • Evaluate the role that literature review has in planning research.
  • Differentiate between the types/genres of literature reviews, their methodology, strengths, limitations, and sources of bias, and select the appropriate type of review.
  • Distinguish between the types and levels of evidence/literature/publications and select the appropriate ones for review.
  • Develop and apply the systematic literature-searching strategy and the protocol for evidence collection.
  • Frame the proposed research theoretically and conceptually
  • Reveal research, conceptual, and methodological gaps.
  • Sharpen critical thinking skills while analyzing and appraising evidence.
  • Synthesize the literature analysis results to inform your study's research questions, design, and framework.
  • Submit the draft of the literature review for a dissertation proposal or Chapter 2 of the dissertation.

Participation Type

Course Context (e.g. how it was implemented or integrated):

The LRD tool was a formative and summative assignment for the course "Literature review for Ed.D. students." Each step in designing the literature review protocol included various activities ( watching a video tutorial, answering questions, or attending search and analysis sessions.

Additional Instructor Resources (e.g. in-class activities, worksheets, supplements, etc.)

The course syllabus includes activities (video and other self-paced tutorials, working on the interactive form, AI applications).

Assessment or Criteria for Success

Literature Review rubrics
Attachment Size
LR_Rubric.docx 21.3 KB

Suggested Citation

Koz, Olga. "Dissertation's Literature Review." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments). 2024. https://projectcora.org/lesson/dissertations-literature-review