Literature Review
The essence of the literature review is to investigate the previous literature works in regard to the current research. Most of this literature tends to have various perspectives and themes according to the researcher’s objectives and area of study. Due to the divergent perspectives of this previous works one needs to be keen in identifying the various theme being discussed and choose whether they relate with his or her objectives. Mostly the literature will start on a general view before concentrating on the major study area, thus the reader can first review the wider scope and the facts or assumptions being made in the work before embarking on the presentation of the theme to research on. In addition the previous works are not only good for helping in writing own work but also it is helpful for widening the author’s knowledge in the research topic.
As a researcher the review have to be well evaluated, structured and organized such that the various aspects discussed by various literature are group together and discussed with their various findings and synthesized in a manner one can be able to infer from the work. The literature review is a vital part of every research project thus the various materials needs to be digested so on can identify if there is any chance the work he or she aims to do have already been done and if so what can be added or modified. With good understanding of the previous works the researcher is able to plan and anticipate the challenges that may arise and also identify the area requiring further research. In conclusion it very important to read and review the previous researches, even if they might be focusing on different themes, as the same field of study can be tackled from different views too.
Types of Literature Reviews
Literature reviews can take on various forms and be used in different contexts. They can be part of a research paper, such as in the Introduction section, or a standalone chapter in a doctoral dissertation. Some journals, such as Annual Review of Psychology and Psychological Bulletin, regularly publish full-length literature reviews as separate articles. In academic courses, literature reviews may be required as a standalone research paper or as a component of a larger research paper, like an Honors thesis.
The style and organization of literature reviews can also vary. Some literature reviews summarize prior research while others critically evaluate it, comparing, contrasting, and discussing the strengths and weaknesses of the research. Additionally, literature reviews can be organized chronologically, by grouping related studies, or by presenting opposing views.
Regardless of the form or organization, all literature reviews share the same purpose of providing an overview of prior research on a specific topic, rather than presenting new research.
How to Write a Literature Review:
To narrow your research topic, start by considering your specific area of study and what interests you and other researchers in your field. Talk to your professor, brainstorm, and read recent articles and journals in the field. Limit your scope to a smaller topic area, such as focusing on a specific country or aspect of a broader topic. Use the provided video and worksheet to help guide your narrowing process.
In order to search for literature, define your source selection criteria, such as a specific date range or geographic region. Use keywords to search a library database, and also look at reference lists of recent articles and reviews for other relevant papers. Be sure to include studies that may contradict your point of view.
Once you have selected articles to review, read them thoroughly and evaluate the findings and conclusions. Consider the assumptions, methodologies, and experts in the field mentioned in the studies. Look for conflicting theories, results, and methodologies, as well as any popular trends in the research.
Organize the selected papers by looking for patterns and developing subtopics. Identify common and contested findings, important trends in the research, and the most influential theories. Use post-it notes or filing cards to help organize your findings into categories, and develop headings and subheadings that reflect the major themes and patterns you have identified.
Finally, develop a thesis statement or purpose statement that summarizes the conclusion you have reached about the major trends and developments in the research on your subject. This should be a one or two sentence statement.
Then;
To write the paper, use the organizational structure that you have developed previously, including the headings and subheadings. Ensure that each section flows logically from one to the next. Organize the sections of the paper by themes or subtopics, rather than by individual researchers or theorists.
General tips for writing a Literature Review:
Full-length literature reviews:
Many literature reviews that are written as standalone articles use a three-part structure, including an introduction, body, and discussion or conclusion. In the introduction, the topic is identified, and any trends or major problems in the literature are introduced. The body covers the studies that comprise the literature on that topic, and the discussion or conclusion summarizes the major patterns and points and the current state of knowledge on the topic.
Literature reviews as part of a larger paper:
A quick method of writing a literature review for a research paper is to first write a one-paragraph description of each article that you read. Then, choose the order in which to present them and combine them in one document. Lastly, add transitions between paragraphs, as well as an introductory and concluding paragraph.
A literature review that is part of a larger research paper does not need to be exhaustive, but it should contain the significant studies about a research topic and not tangential or loosely related ones. The literature review should be sufficient for the reader to understand the major issues and key findings about a research topic. However, you may need to confirm with your instructor or editor about the level of comprehensiveness required.
Benefits of Literature Reviews:
Literature reviews have multiple benefits, including helping readers understand what is known about a topic without having to find and read through multiple sources, providing helpful background and context for later reading about new research on a given topic, and helping the writer gain expertise on the topic while preparing the review.
Review the overall structure and content of the paper to ensure that it presents a clear position, logically developed from beginning to end.
Examine the outline of each section of the paper and determine if any additional information is needed, if any irrelevant information needs to be removed, or if any sections need to be restructured.
Read the paper out loud to identify any grammatical errors, unclear sentences or where punctuation is needed.
Make sure that all important and up-to-date literature on the subject has been included and cited correctly.
Ensure that all citations and references are in the appropriate style for the discipline and check for plagiarism.
Ensure that the language used is clear, concise and academic in nature, not using descriptive language or everyday speech.
Check for and correct any grammatical or spelling errors.
Make sure that sentences flow smoothly and logically.
