Update, don’t procrastinate

At this point, you need to be honest about how much time has passed since you stopped researching.

It is possible that it has been a couple of months since you revisited the literature on your topic. It is important then at this stage to revisit the research to do a brief (one session) literature search to see if any new journal articles have been written on your exact topic.

If this has happened, you need to read it and take notes. Then you need to integrate this reference into your text somewhere it is relevant. It is important that your finished submission reflects the latest research in the field, and demonstrates your awareness of the latest developments. Any time lag between writing and research increases the chance of missing something. When you receive this chapter back, you will have to begin again updating the literature when you come to redraft in light of that feedback. Always keep you citations up to date and your research current.

TODAY I WILL…

• Review the literature to see if there are any new developments;

• Schedule a social writing session this week;

• Schedule a writing session away from my favoured writing space;

• Spend 2 hours minimum writing my chapter, and updating where necessary.