What is the Purpose of a Literature Review?
A literature review is a synthesized account that evaluates the publications in a subject area, which are written by scholars or researchers. Literature reviews are used in a variety of contexts:
- standalone article
- introduction to a research paper
- introduction to a research prospectus
- an early chapter in a master's thesis or doctoral dissertation
Note that a literature review evaluates the literature; it does not simply summarize it.
What a Literature Review is Not?
A literature review is NOT:
- an annotative bibliography
- descriptive list
- summary of your readings
You need to be evaluating the literature and explaining how it leads to your research question or supports your thesis statement.
Why Do a Literature Review?
You may have been told you're required to do literature review, but don't know why you have to go through the process. Remembering some of the "whys" may help you focus and write your literature review.
Standalone article:
- Updates readers and the author on the current research, theories and methodologies in a subject area
- Demonstrates that you can evaluate the literature
Research paper:
- Sets the context for your thesis statement for the reader
- Focuses your thesis statement
- Demonstrates you can evaluate the literature
Prospectus:
- Explains the context of your research proposal and definitions in the field for a general audience
- Demonstrates to professionals in the field that you are familiar with the literature relevant to your proposal and can evaluate it
-
Updates you on current research, theories and methodologies that will help focus your proposal
Thesis or Dissertation:
- Allows you to determine whether your research question is original
- Helps you focus your research question and hypothesis
- Teaches you the important historical and current facts, theories, models, and methods in your topic area
- Sets the context for your research question
- Demonstrates to professionals in the field that you know how to do advanced literature searches and evaluate literature
Online Resources
- Literature Review Case Studies in Sage Research Methods
- Learn How to Write a Review of Literature A succinct description of the literature review process from The Writing Center at The University of Wisconsin-Madison.
-
Writing the Literature Review, Part I In this YouTube video, David Taylor at the University of Maryland University College gives a practical, clear explanation of the process. The sound isn't high quality, but his presentation is. 5:22 minutes.
-
Writing the Literature Review, Part 2 This YouTube video is a continuation of the one above. 7:40 minutes.
-
How to Evaluate Journal Articles A list of questions to ask when evaluating an article for a literature review, written by Naomi Lederer at the Colorado State University Libraries.
-
Lit Review LibGuide Process and resources compiled by Science Librarian Erin.
“The most common mistake that students make in writing a literature review for a research paper is to lose sight of its purpose. You include the literature review to explain both the basis for and contribution of your research project. The literature review should be focused on issues directly relevant to your study and should be organized in a way to call attention to the contributions of your research. The purpose of the literature review is NOT to show that you have read a lot of material.”
(Ashley Leeds, Rice University(page 2-3): http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~leeds/documents/475rps10.pdf)
Need More Help? Try these Books:
The Literature Review by Call Number: LB1047.3 .M33 2009ISBN: 9781412961349Publication Date: 2008-07-10A clear, understandable six-step method for streamlining the literature review process! Written in user-friendly language, this resource offers master′s and doctoral level students in education and the social sciences a road map to developing and writing an effective literature review for a research project, thesis, or dissertation. Organized around a comprehensive and detailed six-step developmental model, the book provides guided exercises, graphics, charts, and examples from the everyday experiences of practitioners. Both novice and experienced researchers will find invaluable assistance for: Selecting a topic Searching the literature Developing arguments Surveying the literature Critiquing the literature Writing the literature review
Preparing Literature Reviews-3rd Ed by Call Number: H61.8 .P36 2008ISBN: 9781884585760Publication Date: 2008-08-15Shows students how to synthesize literature using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. All major steps are profusely illustrated with examples. Your students will learn both the art and science of writing effective literature reviews. New to this edition: In order to place more emphasis on the process of writing, the material relevant to preparing the first draft has been expanded into five new chapters: Chapter 7 (Preparing a Topic Outline for the First Draft), Chapter 8 (Writing the First Draft: Basic Principles), Chapter 9 (Writing the First Draft: Optional Techniques), Chapter 10 (Writing the First Draft: Statistical Issues in Qualitative Reviews), and Chapter 11 (Building Tables to Summarize Literature). Also new: New examples have been incorporated throughout the book in order to keep it up-to-date.
References
- Bloomberg, L.D., & Volpe, M. (2008). Completing your Qualitative Dissertation: A Roadmap from Beginning to End. Los Angeles: Sage
- Machi, L.E., & McEvoy, B.T. ( 2009). The Literature Review: Six Steps to Success. Thousand Oaks: Corwin Sage.
- O'Hara, M., Wainwright, J., & Kay, J. (2011). Successful dissertations : The complete guide for education, childhood and early childhood studies students. London, GBR: Continuum International Publishing.
This class page is based on the 2011 presentation, "The Literature Review Process," created by librarian Annie Downey.