Literature review

A literature review is a body of text that aims to review the critical points of current knowledge including substantive findings as well as theoretical and methodological contributions to a particular topic. Literature reviews are secondary sources, and as such, do not report any new or original experimental work.

Below are various links to references on how to undertake a literature review.

A review of the literature has the following functions:
• To justify your choice of research question, theoretical or conceptual framework, and method
• To establish the importance of the topic
• To provide background information needed to understand the study
• To show readers you are familiar with significant and/or up-to-date research relevant to the topic
• To establish your study as one link in a chain of research that is developing knowledge in your field

The review traditionally provides a historical overview of the theory and the research literature, with a special emphasis on the literature specific to the thesis topic. It serves as well to support the argument/proposition behind your thesis, using evidence drawn from authorities or experts in your research field

Monash University

According to Cooper (1988) ‘… a literature review uses as its database reports of primary or original scholarship, and does not report new primary scholarship itself. The primary reports used in the literature may be verbal, but in the vast majority of cases reports are written documents. The types of scholarship may be empirical, theoretical, critical/analytic, or methodological in nature. Second a literature review seeks to describe, summarise, evaluate, clarify and/or integrate the content of primary reports.’

The review of relevant literature is nearly always a standard chapter of a thesis or dissertation. The review forms an important chapter in a thesis where its purpose is to provide the background to and justification for the research undertaken (Bruce 1994). Bruce, who has published widely on the topic of the literature review, has identified six elements of a literature review. These elements comprise a list; a search; a survey; a vehicle for learning; a research facilitator; and a report (Bruce 1994).

Deakin University

A literature review is a compilation of previous research and writing on a particular topic. It provides a critical analysis of this research and writing through summary, classification, comparison and evaluation. In a literature review you are required to present:
�� established findings
�� conflicting evidence
�� gaps
in the body of scholarship relating to your topic.

Australian School of Business

There is no one single correct method to writing a literature review. Therefore, this resource is a guide only. Check with your supervisor/lecturer/school to ascertain whether there are any specific requirements for your literature review before proceeding.

The Learning Centre

A literature review may be defined as a search and evaluation of the available literature in a given subject area. It involves:
•surveying (searching and obtaining) the literature in your chosen area of study
•synthesising the information gathered into a summary
•critically analysing the information gathered to
◦identify areas of controversy
◦formulate questions for further research
•presenting the literature according to an organised style.

RMIT University

A literature review is a description of the literature relevant to a particular field or topic. This is often written as part of a postgraduate thesis proposal, or at the commencement of a thesis. A critical literature review is a critical assessment of the relevant literature. It is unlikely that you will be able to write a truly critical assessment of the literature until you have a good grasp of the subject, usually at some point near the end of your thesis.

University of Canberra

If you are undertaking research for a project or dissertation, you will find that you will need to do a literature review, based on the findings of your literature search. This guide is mainly about the literature search process, but there are some suggestions on how you might structure your literature review.

You need to use the published literature when you are starting any research project in order to:
• provide an academic basis to your research
• clarify your ideas and findings
• find data and research methods.

Using the published literature is a core part of the academic communication process. It connects your work to the great scholarly chain of knowledge, and in more immediate terms it demonstrates your understanding and puts the work you have done in a wider context.
You might also find that there is an added benefit since you
will find information about the subject before committing
yourself to time-consuming practical research work.

De Montford University

On completion of this module you will be able to:
•describe the characteristics of a good literature review
•identify the purpose of a literature review
•undertake a literature review.

University of New England

A literature review is an evaluative comparison of various pieces of research. It is not just a set of summaries or a descriptive list of material. It shows the reader what previous research has been done in your field, critiques previous methodology, and evaluates prior studies to show an information gap which your own research will fill. The information which follows is particularly relevant to a thesis literature review, but can be applied to shorter reviews and thesis proposals.

Flinders University

This academic tip sheet:
• explains what is meant by a literature review;
• identifies ‘the literature’;
• describes some of the conventions to follow when doing a literature review; and
• looks at the process of developing a literature review.

ECU University

Two key steps in a literature search are i) finding sources and ii) synthesizing information. Each of these is addressed in two of the major sections in this report, as well as how the literature search relates to the entire research process. Then pertinent information is repeated in the summary section for your convenience. An annotated reference list is included for ease in finding other useful guidance.

NAWC