A literature review is a critical analysis of existing research on a particular topic. In this post, we discuss the how to write a literature review.
What is a literature review?
A literature review is a critical analysis of existing research on a particular topic. It is an essential component of many academic essays, such as research papers and argumentative essays.
A well-written literature review provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge on a topic, and can help to identify gaps in the literature that need further research.
How to write a literature review
In this section, we focus on five steps for writing a literature review. If you’re struggling to find academic sources for your literature review, consider making an appointment with a librarian.
1. Define your research question
Before you begin writing your literature review, it is important to define your research question. Your research question should be focused and specific, and should guide your search for relevant literature. Once you have defined your research question, you can begin searching for relevant literature.
2. Search for relevant literature
To write a comprehensive literature review, it is important to search for relevant literature in a variety of sources, including academic databases, journals, and reference lists. When searching for literature, use relevant keywords and search terms that are specific to your research question.
3. Evaluate the literature
Once you have identified relevant literature, it is important to evaluate it critically. Consider the following questions when evaluating literature:
- Is the literature relevant to your research question?
- Is the literature current?
- Is the literature credible and reliable?
4. Write the literature review
Before you can write your literature review, you need to decide how to organize it in a logical and coherent manner. There are several ways to organize literature, such as by theme, methodology, or chronology. Choose an organizational structure that is most appropriate for your research question and the literature you have reviewed.
Write a comprehensive overview
Begin by introducing your research question and the purpose of the literature review. Then, provide a comprehensive overview of the literature you have reviewed, organized according to your chosen organizational structure. For each piece of literature, provide a summary of the main findings, and include any relevant quotes or statistics.
Analyze the literature
After providing a comprehensive overview of the literature, it is important to analyze it critically. Consider the following questions when analyzing literature:
- What are the main themes and findings in the literature?
- Are there any gaps in the literature that need further research?
- What are the strengths and weaknesses of the literature?
Conclude the review
Finally, conclude your literature review by summarizing the main findings and identifying any gaps in the literature that need further research. Consider the implications of the literature for your research question and identify any potential areas for future research.
5. Revise and proofread
Before you submit your literature review, or add it to a longer paper, be sure to take some time to revise and proofread it. Watch out for grammatical or typographical errors and check that the review is well-organized and easy to follow.
Most importantly, ensure that all of your in-text citations are correct. To save time and ensure greater accuracy, use a citation generator like BibGuru. You can generate both in-text-citations and full bibliographic references.
Frequently Asked Questions about how to write a literature review
👜 How do you structure a literature review?
There are several ways to organize literature, such as by theme, methodology, or chronology. Choose an organizational structure that is most appropriate for your research question and the literature you have reviewed.
🦄 How long should a literature review be?
The length of your literature review will vary depending on the topic and whether or not the review is part of a longer project. The most important thing to remember is that a literature review should provide a substantive overview of the scholarly conversation.
🍀 What is a literature review?
A literature review is a critical analysis of existing research on a particular topic. It is an essential component of many academic essays, such as research papers and argumentative essays.
🌈 How many references should be in a literature review?
The number of references in a literature review will depend on the topic and whether or not the review is part of a longer project.
🥪 What are the contents of a literature review?
A literature review should include a comprehensive overview of the state of the field, an analysis of the literature, and a conclusion that summarizes the main findings and identifies any gaps in the research.
