https://youtu.be/xpTbQKUDL4I

💡 This literature review guide includes general recommendations when developing an academic text for research purposes. You may access timestamps for each of the sections below by visiting the YouTube page of this video. See also Rubric: Literature Review. Rubric: Literature Review.

1. What is a Literature Review?

A literature review is a comprehensive overview and analysis of the existing research, theories, and findings related to a specific topic or research question. It is not merely a summary of past research; rather, it critically evaluates and synthesizes the information to establish a foundation for understanding the broader context of a subject.

Characteristics of a Literature Review:

• Scope: A literature review can range from a few pages to extensive works, depending on the complexity of the research topic.
• Critical Evaluation: It assesses the strengths and weaknesses of existing studies, identifying gaps in knowledge that your research could address.
• Thematic Organization: It organizes the literature by themes, methodologies, or chronological developments to illuminate trends and patterns in research.

2. Why is a Literature Review Important?

Literature reviews serve several pivotal functions in academic research:

• Contextualization: They provide context for your research, showing how it fits into the existing body of knowledge.
• Identifying Gaps: Literature reviews help in identifying gaps in the current research, thereby justifying the need for your study.
• Methodological Insights: Reviewing existing studies can offer insights into research methodologies that could be applicable to your work.
• Theoretical Framework: They can assist in framing theoretical frameworks, guiding the formulation of theoretical constructs for your own research.

3. How to Create a Literature Review

Creating a literature review involves a systematic approach that includes several key steps:

Step 1: Define Your Research Question or Topic

• Be clear and specific about the research question you want to explore. This will guide your literature search.

Step 2: Conduct a Comprehensive Literature Search

• Use academic databases (e.g., Google Scholar, JSTOR, PubMed) to gather relevant articles, books, and papers.