Research Design 4e

John W. Creswell
Suggested Studies

Chapter Two: Review of the Literature

The following citations indicate suggested studies to use as examples of literature reviews
for research.

Examine the literature reviews within the following student proposals available under General
Resources:

1. Qualitative example: Morales, A. (2006). Language brokering in Mexican immigrant

families living in the Midwest: A multiple case study. [Dissertation Proposal]. University of
Nebraska–Lincoln.
Literature review on pp. 11–32.
2. Quantitative example: Hayes, M. (2007). Design and analysis of the Student Strengths Index
(SSI) for nontraditional graduate students. [Thesis Proposal]. University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
Definition of terms on pp. 7–8.
Literature review on pp. 8–20.
3. Mixed methods example: Ivankova, N. (2002). Students’ persistence in the University of
Nebraska-Lincoln distributed doctoral program in educational administration: A mixed methods
study. [Dissertation Proposal]. University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
Definition of terms on pp. 9–13.
Literature review on pp. 24–42.
Examine the literature reviews within the following research articles:

1. Theoretically oriented qualitative example: Auerbach, S. (2007). From moral supporters to

struggling advocates: Reconceptualizing parent roles in education through experience of
working-class families of color. Urban Education, 42(3), 250–283.
Literature review on pp. 252–256.
2. Inductive qualitative example: Plano Clark, V. L., Miller, D. L., Creswell, J. W., McVea, K.,
McEntarffer, R., Harter, L. M., & Mickelson, W. T. (2002). In conversation: High school students
talk to students about tobacco use and prevention strategies. Qualitative Health Research, 12(9),
1264–1283.
Literature review on pp. 1264–1265.
3. Quantitative example: Frankenberger, K. D. (2004). Adolescent egocentrism, risk
perceptions, and sensation seeking among smoking and nonsmoking youth. Journal of
Adolescent Research, 19(5), 576–590.
Literature review on pp. 577–580.
4. Mixed methods example: Parmelee, J. H., Perkins, S. C., & Sayre, J. J. (2007). “What about
people our age?” Applying qualitative and quantitative methods to uncover how political ads
alienate college students. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 1(2), 183–199.
Literature review on pp. 184–187.

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© 2014