Literature Reviews

Structuring/Writing a Literature Review

There are several common approaches when structuring a literature review:

1. Chronological: This approach traces the development of the topic over time, analyzing patterns and key debates that have shaped the field.
2. Thematic: Organizing the review around recurring central themes or aspects of the topic. For example, a review on migrant health outcomes might be divided into subsections on healthcare policy, language barriers, cultural attitudes, etc..
3. Methodological: This structure compares results and conclusions from different research approaches, such as qualitative vs. quantitative studies or empirical vs. theoretical scholarship.
4. Theoretical: This approach discusses various theories, models, and definitions of key concepts related to the topic.
5. Funnel approach: Moving from broad to specific, this structure starts with the wider context and gradually narrows down to the specific focus of your research.

Regardless of the chosen structure, a literature review typically includes:

1. An introduction that outlines the purpose and scope of the review.
2. A main body that presents, analyzes, and synthesizes the existing research.
3. A conclusion that summarizes key findings and identifies gaps or areas for future research.

When grouping literature into subsections or themes, it's important to:

1. Identify patterns and connections between different sources.
2. Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of existing research.
3. Highlight controversies or debates within the field.
4. Show how your research relates to or addresses gaps in the existing literature.

The best structure depends on your specific topic and goals. Generally, you want to group related studies together and present information in a logical flow, moving from broad to narrow focus. Use clear topic sentences and transitions between sections to guide the reader. It's important to synthesize findings across studies rather than just summarizing each one. Critically analyze the literature to identify key themes, debates, and gaps. Your own voice and analysis should come through as you evaluate the existing research. Remember to keep the focus on how the literature relates to your research questions or objectives. The structure should help tell the "story" of the current state of knowledge and how your work fits in.

Academics often use an "hour-glass structure" to describe the relationship between a literature review and a discussion section, with the review beginning broad, then focusing on the influence of previous research.

In your literature review, focus on relevant research that helps you understand your own investigation. Avoid referencing everything in the same depth, and prioritize recent studies. Older, dated studies should be highlighted briefly before discussing more accurate methods. This helps refine your understanding of wider issues and identify relevant research for your investigation.

Sources:

Brown University Library (2024) Organizing and creating information. Available at: https://libguides.brown.edu/organize/litreview (Accessed: 31 July 2024).

Newcastle University (2024) Structuring the literature review. Available at: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/mediav8/academic-skills-kit/file-downloads/Structuring%20a%20literature%20review.pdf (Accessed: 31 July 2024).

Royal Literary Fund (2024) The structure of a literature review. Available at: https://www.rlf.org.uk/resources/the-structure-of-a-literature-review/ (Accessed 23 July 2024).

University of Westminster (2024) Literature reviews: structure. Available at: https://libguides.westminster.ac.uk/literature-reviews/structure (Accessed: 31 July 2024).

Further Reading:

Writing a literature review