Choosing a topic
You will need to choose a particular topic and select from the literature based on that topic. Choose a topic in which you are interested and keep a tight control on that topic area. Bear in mind that you will need to adapt any of the terms you use in a keyword(s) search to the specific topic you are pursuing in this assignment in order to locate the appropriate literature. It is important to note that the appropriateness of the articles you choose will be a factor in determining your mark for this TMA. Think carefully about this when selecting the number of sources you will use in your TMA. The best way to demonstrate that you have chosen an appropriate article is to integrate that article into your argument and use the material from it to engage with the ideas in the module materials. It is important that your selected topic is relevant to the core themes of this module and span the 0–18 age range.
Suggested structure
Rather than simply summarising arguments that have gone before, a good literature review points out where there have been differences of opinion and who has influenced what, where and when. You need to have enough breadth of understanding to be able to critically evaluate what you are reading. In the literature review that you prepare, remember to concentrate on comparing and contrasting the papers you read and on critically evaluating them. Think about what surprises you, some of the points you would like to learn more about and where there are gaps in the research that you could pursue.
You will find it helpful to organise your literature review into sections. Begin with an introduction that describes your topic and sets the scene. End with a conclusion that both summarises the main points you have extracted from your critical evaluation and sets out your research question(s). There is no prescribed format for structuring the sections in between. The following structure and questions may help you to organise your material logically, so that readers can follow your argument.
Introduction
What are the origins and definitions of this topic?
How does this relate to my focus within the topic?
Questions that might inform section headings
What are the major issues and debates?
What are the main questions and ideas that have been researched to date?
What are the key theoretical and conceptual ideas?
How has the literature increased knowledge and understanding of the topic?
What are the main sources that support my line of argument?
What are the main sources that question my line of argument?
Are there any areas that have not been explored previously in the literature?
Conclusion
What are the key points and what proposed research question(s) has this led me to?
References
Add a list of references, drawing on the Cite Them Right referencing system (as specified in Section 5.6 of the Assessment Guide). The title and list of references are not counted in the 3000-word length of this assignment.
Give your word count at the end of your essay, before the reference list.
Final reminder
Resist the temptation merely to produce a ‘shopping list’ of what has been written about your topic. You should provide a critical summary and assessment of the literature in your chosen field, which leads up to and justifies your research questions.
Choosing a topic
You will need to choose a particular topic and select from the literature based on that topic. Choose a topic in which you are interested and keep a tight control on that topic area. Bear in mind that you will need to adapt any of the terms you use in a keyword(s) search to the specific topic you are pursuing in this assignment in order to locate the appropriate literature. It is important to note that the appropriateness of the articles you choose will be a factor in determining your mark for this TMA. Think carefully about this when selecting the number of sources you will use in your TMA. The best way to demonstrate that you have chosen an appropriate article is to integrate that article into your argument and use the material from it to engage with the ideas in the module materials. It is important that your selected topic is relevant to the core themes of this module and span the 0–18 age range.
Suggested structure
Rather than simply summarising arguments that have gone before, a good literature review points out where there have been differences of opinion and who has influenced what, where and when. You need to have enough breadth of understanding to be able to critically evaluate what you are reading. In the literature review that you prepare, remember to concentrate on comparing and contrasting the papers you read and on critically evaluating them. Think about what surprises you, some of the points you would like to learn more about and where there are gaps in the research that you could pursue.
You will find it helpful to organise your literature review into sections. Begin with an introduction that describes your topic and sets the scene. End with a conclusion that both summarises the main points you have extracted from your critical evaluation and sets out your research question(s). There is no prescribed format for structuring the sections in between. The following structure and questions may help you to organise your material logically, so that readers can follow your argument.
Introduction
What are the origins and definitions of this topic?
How does this relate to my focus within the topic?
Questions that might inform section headings
What are the major issues and debates?
What are the main questions and ideas that have been researched to date?
What are the key theoretical and conceptual ideas?
How has the literature increased knowledge and understanding of the topic?
What are the main sources that support my line of argument?
What are the main sources that question my line of argument?
Are there any areas that have not been explored previously in the literature?
Conclusion
What are the key points and what proposed research question(s) has this led me to?
References
Add a list of references, drawing on the Cite Them Right referencing system (as specified in Section 5.6 of the Assessment Guide). The title and list of references are not counted in the 3000-word length of this assignment.
Give your word count at the end of your essay, before the reference list.
Final reminder
Resist the temptation merely to produce a ‘shopping list’ of what has been written about your topic. You should provide a critical summary and assessment of the literature in your chosen field, which leads up to and justifies your research questions.
