| Abstract:
Conducting the literature review represents the most important step of the research process in evaluation studies because it is the most effective way of becoming familiar with previous findings and research methodology, as well as being cognizant of previous and existing programs. In our demonstration, we (a) identify myths associated with conducting literature reviews, (b) provide a new and comprehensive definition of the literature review, (c) provide reasons for conducting comprehensive literature reviews, (d) identify the roles of literature reviewers, and (e) introduce the seven Review of Literature Evaluative Steps (ROLES) for program evaluations. Participants will experience ways to document the information search; explore beliefs, values, and valuing; select and deselect literature according to a validation framework; extend the literature review; store literature; and analyze literature using several quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques involving quantitative (e.g., Excel) and qualitative (e.g., QDA Miner [Provalis Research, 2009]) computer software programs.
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