What is a Literature Review?
A literature review is a body of text that aims to review the critical points of current knowledge on a particular topic. Most often associated with science-oriented literature, such as a thesis, the literature review usually proceeds a research proposal, methodology and results section. Its ultimate goals is to bring the reader up to date with current literature on a topic and forms that basis for another goal, such as the justification for future research in the area. (retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Literature_review)
Writing a Literature Review
The literature review is the section of your paper in which you cite and briefly review the related research studies that have been conducted. In this space, you will describe the foundation on which your research will be/is built. You will:
- discuss the work of others
- evaluate their methods and findings
- identify any gaps in their research
- state how your research is different
The literature review should be selective and should group the cited studies in some logical fashion.
If you need some additional assistance writing your literature review, the Knight Institute for Writing in the Disciplines offers a Graduate Writing Service.
Demystifying the Literature Review
For more information, visit our guide devoted to "Demystifying the Literature Review" which includes:
- guide to conducting a literature review,
- a recorded 1.5 hour workshop covering the steps of a literature review, a checklist for drafting your topic and search terms, citation management software for organizing your results, and database searching.
Online Resources
- A Guide to Library Research at Cornell University
- Literature Reviews: An Overview for Graduate Students
North Carolina State University - The Literature Review: A Few Tips on Conducting
Written by Dena Taylor, Director, Health Sciences Writing Centre, and Margaret Procter, Coordinator, Writing Support, University of Toronto - How to Write a Literature Review
University Library, University of California, Santa Cruz - Review of Literature
The Writing Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Print Resources
The Literature Review: A Step-by-Step Guide for Students by Call Number: Olin LB2369 .R525 2008ISBN: 9781412934251Publication Date: 2008-03-03
Writing Literature Reviews: A Guide for Students of the Social and Behavioral Sciences by Call Number: Olin: + H62 .G35 2004ISBN: 1884585507Publication Date: 2004-01-01
Writing the Winning Thesis or Dissertation by
The classic guide for master's and doctoral students--newly revised and updated! Used in its first two editions by tens of thousands of students, this practical book demystifies the process of writing your master's thesis or doctoral dissertation, taking you through the process one step at a time. Newly revised and updated, this book provides specific models and examples that will guide you through: Laying the groundwork for the thesis or dissertation Organizing and scheduling your work Collaborating with peers Using technology Solving problems throughout the dissertation process
Call Number: Mann: LB2369 .G56 2013ISBN: 9781452258782Publication Date: 2012-11-26
