Literature review 101: Purpose and how to write one
Reading and writing literature reviews are a crucial part of every researcher’s journey. A literature review provides a panoramic view of existing knowledge, theories, and research in a particular field. Literature reviews contextualize studies, identify gaps, and synthesize findings to move scientific inquiry forward.
This post explores the purpose and types of literature reviews in research and provides practical tips for writing them.
1. Literature review in research
Literature reviews offer comprehensive assessments of existing literature within a specific field or topic, providing researchers with a thorough understanding of the current state of knowledge, highlighting key themes, methodologies, gaps, and debates. Literature reviews have become particularly significant in light of the exponential growth of published literature; they serve as a valuable tool to navigate this sea of information.
In this section, you will find answers to “what is a literature review,” as well as its types and importance.
1.1 Literature reviews definition
A literature review can be defined in several ways, e.g., a “comprehensive background of the literature within the interested topic area” or “critical component of the research process that provides an in-depth analysis of recently published research findings in specifically identified areas of interest.”
Overall, the current state of knowledge on a particular topic is summarized in a literature review, meaning that its objective is to provide an overview of sources explored while researching a particular topic and to demonstrate how current research is positioned within the larger body of study.
1.2 Importance and purpose of a literature review
1.2.1 Maneuvering information overload
A literature review serves as a guide to steer researchers through prior scholarship. The volume of scientific publications continues to grow, making it impossible for you as a researcher to examine every single new relevant paper in detail. Thus, it is practical to rely on regular summaries of the recent literature.
The surge in publications has also led to a rise in contradictory findings and theories. Literature reviews allow researchers to compare and contrast different perspectives and identify consensus or highlight areas of controversy.
Further, the increase in published literature translates into higher chances of redundancy. By conducting a thorough literature review, researchers can ensure that their work is original, thereby avoiding the duplication of effort.
Thus, in the context of the information explosion in academic research, literature reviews are more crucial than ever.
1.2.2 Situating your work in the context of the research problem and field
A literature review helps place each study in the context of its contribution to the research problem at hand, allowing you to situate your own research within the existing literature. In this way, you can identify gaps in the literature and think of new ways to interpret prior research. You might even be able to pinpoint topics that warrant additional research.
1.2.3 Mapping the evolution of trends or theories in the field
A literature review in research provides a structured approach to understand the evolution of theories, methodologies, and findings over time. This “historical” perspective can help trace how different viewpoints and arguments shaped the field, revealing patterns and themes, as well as identify influential works or authors.
1.3 Types of literature reviews
A literature review can take various forms, from being a section in a thesis or article to being an article itself.
1.3.1 Literature review in your thesis/dissertation
In your thesis or dissertation, a literature review serves as a critical synthesis of previous research related to your specific topic. It provides an overview of the current state of knowledge, identifies gaps or inconsistencies in the literature, and establishes the context for your own research questions. This process not only demonstrates your understanding of the field but also justifies the significance of your study. Therefore, a well-conducted literature review is an essential foundation for any thesis or dissertation.
1.3.2 Literature review in an original article
The study background in the Introduction section and the Discussion section deal with the existing scientific knowledge in a research area. While the background deals with the context of the study and highlights the significance of the present study, the literature review with the Introduction and Discussion critically analyzes the literature in considerable detail.
1.3.3 Review articles
Finally, a review can even form an entire paper, that is, a review article. Did you know that different types of review articles cater to distinct research objectives and methodologies? Here are some types of review articles:
Narrative literature reviews: These are the most common type of review article. A narrative review puts together key themes and trends from the existing literature, i.e., it describes information that already exists.
Systematic reviews: These employ rigorous protocols to methodically search, screen, and analyze literature, ensuring comprehensive coverage and minimizing bias.
Meta-analyses: These quantitatively synthesize data from multiple studies, providing robust statistical insights.
Scoping reviews: These map the breadth of literature on a topic, ideal for exploring emerging fields or complex phenomena (e.g., reviewing health research evidence).
Critical reviews: These describe an author’s hypothesis or conceptual model based on key literature in their field of study.
Umbrella reviews: An umbrella review is a review of reviews, compiling all the evidence from existing reviews on a topic to give a high-level overview.
2. Steps for writing a literature review
Always remember that you need to follow a systematic approach, starting with defining clear objectives and inclusion criteria. Let’s walk through the steps for writing a literature review.
2.1 Understand the purpose
Start by asking yourself what research has already been done on the topic, what are some relevant sub-topics, and who are the prominent authors of such work. Track other authors who have published similar work and refer to their publications.
2.2 Perform a thorough and efficient literature search
Make the most of the vast array of databases and tools available, and do not restrict yourself to one or few search engines and databases. Visit your university library and if needed, contact academic librarian for guidance on where to source specialist resources related to your search. You may even consult gray literature. Use effective keywords and Boolean operators to refine your results. Check the search results for relevance, credibility, and recency. Critically analyze the selected literature for methodologies, strengths, and limitations. Try to unravel patterns and synthesize diverse perspectives.
2.3 Read, take notes, and summarize
As you keep finding relevant articles, take notes and summarize them. Keep a meticulous record of the citations with each summary. Avoid copy-pasting text; try and summarize studies in your own words.
2.4 Put it all together into a single draft
Start with an engaging introduction that contextualizes the research problem and outlines the objectives. Generate central themes, theories, or methodologies, which will form the basis of your headings for your literature review. The concluding paragraphs should underscore the implications of the reviewed literature on research design, theoretical frameworks, and future inquiries.
2.5 Seek feedback and refine
Your initial drafts might be messy. Sometimes, re-reading your draft or even taking a break from the subject will give you clarity and help you tighten the narrative. Share your drafts with your peers and mentors and actively seek feedback. Act on the feedback, incorporating the comments and criticism. This well only make the final output better!
3. Tips for crafting a great literature review
In a succinct infographic, Pamplona highlights five tips for writing effective literature reviews:
Start your literature review early in the research process
Follow a systematic approach
Maintain organized notes and meticulously record relevant citations
Stay focused and avoid being distracted by irrelevant information.
Gather feedback and incorporate suggestions for improvement.
4. Common mistakes to avoid when writing a review
Here is a list of pitfalls that can affect the quality of your literature reviews:
Superficial reviews lacking depth or undermining rigor
Inadequate critical evaluation overlooks biases, methodological flaws, or conflicting evidence
Poor organization and coherence
Plagiarism or improper citation practices.
5. Conclusion
For an academic, the significance of both reading and writing literature reviews cannot be overstated. Researchers can benefit immensely from engaging with such articles for an overview of existing scholarship. Equally important is the act of writing effective literature reviews, which demands precision, clarity, and critical thinking. It not only demonstrates a researcher’s mastery of the subject matter but also contributes to the advancement of knowledge.
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