A literature review is a comprehensive summary of previous research on a topic. The literature review surveys scholarly articles, books, and other sources relevant to a particular area of research. The review should enumerate, describe, summarize, objectively evaluate and clarify this previous research.
- It should give a theoretical base for the research and help you (the author) determine the nature of your research.
- The literature review acknowledges the work of previous researchers, and in so doing, assures the reader that your work has been well conceived.
- It is assumed that by mentioning a previous work in the field of study, that the author has read, evaluated, and assimiliated that work into the work at hand.
A literature review creates a “landscape” for the reader, giving her or him a full understanding of the developments in the field. This landscape informs the reader that the author has indeed assimilated all (or the vast majority of) previous, significant works in the field into her or his research.
- In writing the literature review, the purpose is to convey to the reader what knowledge and ideas have been established on a topic, and what their strengths and weaknesses are.
- The literature review must be defined by a guiding concept (eg.
- Your research objective, the problem or issue you are discussing, or your argumentative thesis).
It is not just a descriptive list of the material available, or a set of summaries.( http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/specific-types-of-writing/literature-review )
What is a literature review in a research paper example?
A literature review is a survey of scholarly sources (such as books, journal articles, and theses) related to a specific topic or research question. It is often written as part of a thesis, dissertation, or research paper, in order to situate your work in relation to existing knowledge.
What should a literature review include?
An effective literature review must include an overview, a summary, and a critique. The purpose of a literature review is to convey knowledge and ideas established for a specific topic, and to discuss their strengths and weaknesses.
How long is a literature review?
The length of a literature review varies depending on its purpose and audience. In a thesis or dissertation, the review is usually a full chapter (at least 20 pages), but for an assignment it may only be a few pages. There are several ways to organize and structure a literature review.
What are the 5 importance of literature review?
Provide foundation of knowledge on topic. Identify areas of prior scholarship to prevent duplication and give credit to other researchers. Identify inconstancies: gaps in research, conflicts in previous studies, open questions left from other research. Identify need for additional research (justifying your research)
What is the purpose of a literature review?
Literature Review The purpose of a literature review is to collect relevant, timely research on your chosen topic, and synthesize it into a cohesive summary of existing knowledge in the field. This then prepares you for making your own argument on that topic, or for conducting your own original research.
Depending on your field of study, literature reviews can take different forms. Some disciplines require that you synthesize your sources topically, organizing your paragraphs according to how your different sources discuss similar topics. Other disciplines require that you discuss each source in individual paragraphs, covering various aspects in that single article, chapter, or book.
Within your review of a given source, you can cover many different aspects, including (if a research study) the purpose, scope, methods, results, any discussion points, limitations, and implications for future research. Make sure you know which model your professor expects you to follow when writing your own literature reviews.
How is literature review done?
Steps in the literature review process – Preparation of a literature review may be divided into four steps:
- Define your subject and the scope of the review.
- Search the library catalogue, subject specific databases and other search tools to find sources that are relevant to your topic.
- Read and evaluate the sources and to determine their suitability to the understanding of topic at hand (see the Evaluating sources section).
- Analyse, interpret and discuss the findings and conclusions of the sources you selected.
What are the 5 characteristics of a good literature review?
Characteristics of an effective literature review Outlining important research trends. Assessing strengths and weaknesses (of individual studies as well the existing research as a whole). Identifying potential gaps in knowledge. Establishing a need for current and/or future research projects.
What should not be included in a literature review?
The Literature Review, Part 2: What Not to Include The Literature Review, Part 2: What Not to Include This blog is about what not to include in your literature review. In short, the literature review is a snapshot of the current state of research on your topic, including research on study variables and major concepts or theories of your study.
- The literature review also helps to support your research problem and rationalize why your study is necessary by identifying gaps in the literature and methodological weaknesses of previous studies.
- Below is what not to include in your literature review.
- Do not include purely historical or informational material, such as information from websites.
Information from reputable web sites, such as government and state sites, can be useful. But such information is typically more suitable for background or introductory sections of the dissertation. If it is necessary to include historical or informational material in your literature review, do so sparingly. 
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Also, be cautious about the use of books in literature reviews. Although manuscripts of academic books are often sent to external reviewers, it is difficult to be certain whether a book manuscript was peer reviewed. Different publishers have different approaches, and there are no review standards for book manuscripts.
- Some schools and professors allow books in literature reviews; however, a general rule of thumb is that books should be used sparingly and with a degree of caution.
- Do not include extended quotations, and use direct quotes sparingly, if at all.
- The literature review is a synthesis and analysis of research on your topic in your own words.
Most ideas can be and should be paraphrased. Professors sometimes perceive undue reliance on quotations as intellectual laziness. However, if you feel it necessary to use quotations, use them sparingly. One caveat to the above suggestions is the theoretical framework.
- If you have a theoretical foundation or framework section in your literature review, it may be necessary to use books and older foundational articles to explain and support theories.
- Theories are developed over time; consequently, it takes longer to publish on theories compared to studies.
- Discussion and development of theories often appear in books.
However, do not use material from websites to support your theoretical framework. : The Literature Review, Part 2: What Not to Include
How long does it take to write a literature review research paper?
Set a Schedule – Writing is a creative process, but that doesn’t mean you should only work when inspiration strikes, says Kjell Rudestam, PhD, associate dean at Fielding Graduate University and author of “Surviving Your Dissertation: A Comprehensive Guide to Content and Process, 3rd edition” (2007).
- Instead, set aside time to work on your literature review.
- How much time? That depends on the requirements of your department and how quickly you work.
- Some prefer a very broad and comprehensive review, whereas others prefer a review that is more publication-ready,” Rudestam says.
- The average review may take six months to write and require multiple revisions.
“If you don’t schedule some time for the dissertation,” he says, “it will slip into the background.”