Literature Review

Now that you've read and analyzed each piece of literature, you should have some ideas about their relationships to one another and the important themes or trends among them. Remember, a literature review is not a list describing one piece of literature after another. Instead of beginning each new paragraph with the name of a researcher, organize the literature review into sections that present the themes or trends you've identified as you read. Use the tips below to help you decide how to organize and write your review.

Traditional (Narrative)
This is the type of review described throughout this guide and the kind most likely to be assigned to college students. It provides a survey, summary, critical analysis, and synthesis of multiple scholarly works addressing a specific subject area. The most common strategies for organizing a traditional literature review include

• Chronological - Addresses the materials according to when they were published. This approach is most successful when you can identify clear trends in the concerns or methodologies of scholars writing at different times.
• Thematic - Addresses a particular theme in the literature. Each section of your review will use a selection of works to support a point about that theme.
• Methodological - Focuses on the research methods used in the literature rather than the content of the literature.

Need more help organizing your review? Take a look at the following handout:

 

Systematic
A systematic review identifies relevant studies, assesses their quality, and summarizes their results using scientific methodology. This type of review aims for comprehensive coverage of the literature and objective analysis, so the method of selection and criteria for assessment are stated explicitly within the review. Two types of systematic reviews are

• Meta-analysis - a statistical analysis of multiple quantitative research studies for the purpose of integrating their findings and revealing patterns and relationships among the data
• Meta-synthesis - systematic analysis of multiple qualitative (non-statistical) research studies that identifies common themes or other elements for the purpose of building theory or new conceptual framework in the field

Detailed quidelines for conducting systematic reviews, including meta-analyses, are available in the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) checklist.

Sample systematic review

Like other academic papers, literature reviews should contain at least three basic elements: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion.

Introduction: Gives a brief overview of the literature review; defines the topic and its significance; describes the scope and organizational method of the review.

Body: Contains your discussion of sources and is organized either chronologically, thematically, or methodologically (see "Types of Literature Reviews" for more information on each organizational style). When writing the body of your review, you should:

• Use evidence to back up your thesis and main points.
• Be selective, choosing to include only the most relevant points and evidence.
• Use quotes sparingly, when they emphasize a point particularly well or would be difficult to paraphrase, BUT remember to cite your sources even when you are paraphrasing.
• Focus on analysis and synthesis, not simple descriptions of one source after another. Remember to use transitional words and phrases to connect the ideas both within your paragraphs and between them.

Conclusion: Discusses what impression of current research has emerged from your literature review and offers recommendations about where future scholarship might proceed, especially your own.