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
A literature review is NOT:
- an annotated bibliography
- descriptive list of readings
- summary of your readings
You need to be evaluate the literature and explain how it leads to your research question or supports your thesis statement.