Literature Reviews Quick Reference: Home

The purpose of a literature review is to provide a comprehensive overview and critical analysis of existing research on a specific topic, identifying key themes, debates, and gaps in the literature, ultimately establishing the context and significance of your own research. 

• Identify the Scope -  Clearly Identify the research question or topic.
• Search - Search the library catalog for articles, journals, or databases using keywords relevant to your topic.
• Analyze - Evaluate the sources for credibility, relevance, and the limitations of each source.
• Organize & Synthesize - Group the sources by topic, concept, or chronologically and synthesize the information for patterns or relationships.
• Write - Write your findings in a clear, concise, and organized manner.
• Cite - Cite your sources in the same format (i.e., MLA, ALA, Chicago) and provide the full citation.

Key Elements of a Literature Review

1. **Introduction**

• Define the topic and its significance.
• State the objectives of the literature review.
• Outline the structure of the review.

2. **Search Strategy**

• Describe the methods used to gather literature (databases, keywords, inclusion/exclusion criteria).
• Explain the rationale behind the chosen search strategy.

3. **Thematic Organization**

• Organize the literature into themes or categories.
• Discuss each theme in detail, summarizing key findings and contributions of the studies.

4. **Critical Analysis**

• Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the studies reviewed.
• Discuss methodological approaches and their implications for the findings.
• Identify any biases or limitations in the existing literature.

5. **Gaps in the Literature**

• Highlight areas where research is lacking or where further investigation is needed.
• Discuss how these gaps inform the need for your own research.

6. **Conclusion**

• Summarize the main findings of the literature review.
• Reiterate the importance of the identified gaps.
• Suggest directions for future research.

7. **References**

• Provide a comprehensive list of all sources cited in the literature review.
• Ensure proper formatting according to the required citation style.