Editorial Commentary in the 'Review of Educational Research,' 1931-1998: A Study of Genre Construction.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the editorial commentary from 1931 to present to search for patterns that might be significant in understanding the evolution and current form of the literature review in educational discourse. Using as a primary database all of the editorial commentary from the "Review of Educational Research" from 1931 to 1998, this paper describes patterns of change in the commentary and relates it to the changing concept of the genre "literature review" through this time period. Findings reveal substantive changes in seven dimensions of review characteristics and contribute toward a better understanding of reviews today. Contains 14 references. (RS)