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Literature Reviews

What is a Literature Review?

A literature review is a comprehensive survey and analysis of scholarly sources on a specific topic or research question. Please use the Literature Reviews How To Guide to learn more in depth about literature reviews.

Its main purposes are:

  • To provide an overview of existing knowledge and research on the topic.
  • To identify gaps, debates, and unresolved issues in the current research.
  • To situate your own research within the existing body of work.
  • To demonstrate your familiarity with the subject area and establish credibility for your work.
  • To synthesize and critically evaluate the information from various sources.

A well-written literature review typically includes the following elements:

  • An introduction that defines the topic and explains the scope of the review.
  • A thematic organization of relevant sources, starting with broader themes and narrowing to more specific ones.
  • Critical analysis and synthesis of the information, rather than just summarizing sources.
  • Identification of key theories, methods, and debates in the field.
  • Discussion of gaps or limitations in existing research.
  • A conclusion that summarizes the main findings and their implications for your research.

Literature reviews can be standalone assignments or part of larger works such as dissertations, theses, or research papers. They differ from annotated bibliographies in that they provide a more in-depth analysis and synthesis of sources rather than just brief descriptions.

When writing a literature review, it's important to use a clear structure, critically evaluate sources, and demonstrate how your research contributes to or addresses gaps in the existing knowledge.

 

References

The Royal Literary Fund (2024) What is a Literature Review? Available at: https://www.rlf.org.uk/resources/what-is-a-literature-review/ (Accessed: 25 June 2024).

University of Sheffield (2024) Literature Reviews. Available at: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/academic-skills/study-skills-online/literature-reviews (Accessed: 25 June 2024).