Consultancy Experience Project
Literature Review: You are required to produce a critical review of the literature that will enable you to define and individually investigate a focused area that relates directly to your programme, route or pathway. Your choice of topic will generally be driven by either an issue encountered during the process of undertaking the consultancy, or an aspect of theory related to the sector or industry within which your project was located. You should discuss your initial ideas and agree your final choice with your supervisor.
Work should be structured as an ‘academic paper', using section headings to organise main themes and ideas. You should include an introduction, the literature review itself, a concluding paragraph and a list of references. Include any diagrams or figures in the text if appropriate. Referencing must be to Harvard Standard.
It is expected that your literature review will broadly achieve the following:
• Within the introduction section we would expect you to explain the area of focus, highlight key question(s) your review will explore and show how the focus links to your project and course. In addition you should establish the context for your chosen area and its significance and finally explain your literature review structure.
• The literature review should
o Give a synthesis of current views
o Identify relationships between different ideas
o Distinguish the theory development that has been undertaken in your chosen area and highlight gaps in knowledge or work that still needs to be done.
o Be written using linking language to take the reader clearly from one argument to another
• You may also wish to consider:
o Identifying the main methodologies and research techniques that authors have used to research your area
o Placing the research in a historical context
• The conclusions should summarise the key points you have established, show how far you have answered your question(s) and suggest where further research could usefully be done.
The review will be marked according to how well you have met the following five criteria:
Demonstrates an understanding of appropriate theoretical concepts
An indication of what is being looked for: the student effectively establishes the context for and significance of the issue and clearly identifies and understands the body of theory that is relevant for the subject under study. It is not necessary to present all theories, concepts and models in full detail, rather the student should summarise the key areas and should assume that the reader is familiar with this material. The student should endeavour to present a reasoned case for why certain theories/models etc. are included/not included.
Demonstrates an ability to evaluate the literature and synthesise
An indication of what is being looked for: An analytical and evaluative review which compares and contrasts differing schools of thought and assesses them to develop and interrelate concepts, reflecting the student's own perspective. Arguments are well balanced and connections between concepts are demonstrated through the production of an appropriate conceptual framework.
Uses of a wide range of relevant literature
An indication of what is being looked for: The student uses a wide range of relevant literature to effectively support arguments and which provides a clear framework for exploring the topic area. This literature is assessed in a way which demonstrates an awareness of ‘accepted' thinking in addition to current problems and new insights in the subject area.
The extent to which the review is coherent with a clear ‘voice' and sense of
direction
An indication of what is being looked for: The review is very readable; professionally written with a consistent, coherent structure and a balanced and clear line of argument. There is no repetition or source of confusion.
Presentation and referencing
An indication of what is being looked for: The work is consistently and clearly formatted and it ties together tightly as one complete document. Harvard referencing is accurate throughout.