Dissertation Literature Outline

1. Introduction
   
   
   
   1. Describe the overall topic that you have been investigating,
   
   
   2. why it is important to the field,
   
   
   3. why you are interested in the topic,
   
   
   4. Identify themes and trends in research questions, methodology, and findings.
   
   
   
   


2. Give a “big picture” of the literature.


3. Topic A
   
   
   
   1. Overview of characteristics of the theme (commonalities, differences, nuances)
   
   
   2. Sub-theme – narrow but grouped findings related to the theme
   
   
   
   

 i.  Study  (Research question(s), Methods/Participants, Related Findings)

 ii.  Study (Research question(s), Methods/Participants, Related Findings)

 iii.  Study (Research question(s), Methods/Participants, Related Findings)

1. Sub-theme – narrow but grouped findings related to the theme

 i.  Study  (Research question(s), Methods/Participants, Related Findings)

 ii.  Study  (Research question(s), Methods/Participants, Related Findings)

 iii.  Study  (Research question(s), Methods/Participants, Related Findings)

1. Etc., etc., etc. with other findings that fit Topic A; studies can be repeated if there are multiple findings that fit under more than one topic. However, no need to re-write methods/participants in detail (just enough to remind the reader about the study).


2. Topic B
   
   
   
   follow a, b, c, and so on from above 


3. Topic C

           follow a, b, c, and so on from above.

Repeat as needed.

1. Conclusion

An evaluation/critique of the existing literature. Write several paragraphs.

1. What are the contributions of this literature to the field?


2. What are the overall strengths?


3. What are the overall weaknesses?


4. What might be missing?


5. What are some next steps for research? The next steps should explicitly address how to “correct” for strengths, weaknesses, and gaps.