A literature review is a comprehensive yet concise examination of the pertinent published research available on a specific topic. It offers an objective and critical summary to assist researchers in understanding the context of their project.
A comprehensive literature review should not:
A literature review is not a mere compilation of all the sources mentioned in your paper. It requires you to analyze and assess how each source contributes to the collective understanding of a particular topic or issue.
- By including material that is irrelevant to the study, you distract and frustrate your reader, causing them to forget what purpose your research serves.
- Crafting a literature review by merely enumerating the scholars who have examined X and Y and their respective conclusions, as demonstrated in “A number of scholars studied the relationship between X and Y,” is not sufficient for making a compelling paper.
A thorough literature review should:
- Use a concise typology to categorize articles and books into groups, allowing readers to identify unresolved debates, tensions, inconsistencies, and new questions related to the given research topic.
- Elaborate on the most pertinent and essential components of the scientific literature related to your area of study, condensing it while retaining its significance.
- Drawing from the current research, this paper will synthesize what has been done regarding this topic and by whom. It will also emphasize the implications that prior research has had on the field as well as identify any areas of conflict or dispute in regard to its knowledge base.
- By providing readers with an in-depth look into the history of this field, we can clearly illustrate which studies are essential and point out any mistakes found within past research.
What is the ideal length of a literature review for an academic research paper?
Depending on the purpose and audience, literature reviews can drastically vary in length. For instance, a dissertation or thesis typically features an entire chapter of at least 20 pages, while school assignments might only require a few paragraphs in the introduction section. Considering this critical information, authors must be proactive in conducting thorough research when writing their review of the literature.
Assembling Your Literature Review Collection
Writing a literature review is like constructing your own bookshelf without the need to carve each individual piece from scratch. Instead, you can select pre-existing pieces of research crafted by other researchers and construct them into an organized framework on which to hang your very own “books”—your study approaches, results, and conclusions.
How Can You Write an Outstanding Literature Review?
Crafting an effective literature review requires keen consideration of several criteria, ranging from the article’s purpose and tone to the number of existing studies in a given field. From providing insight into prevailing scholarly theories to demonstrating tension between opposing viewpoints, here are some essential components that every literature review must include:
Gaining vital historical insight to inform your research.
To ensure that your study is both novel and relevant to the field of research, you must thoroughly analyze existing literature. Doing so will show other researchers and journal editors your deep understanding of theoretical principles. It’s also essential to learn how to accurately paraphrase scientific material in order to avoid plagiarism when writing up your manuscript. Furthermore, including a historical background can help demonstrate competency within this domain.
Examining the current context of your research.
Analyze the essential inquiries, issues, and conversations taking place in this field. By delving into newly-published material that relates to your research topic, you can illustrate how it fits within its current context while unveiling the breakthroughs and trends occurring in research.
Analyzing and synthesizing pertinent theories and concepts to craft a cohesive discussion.
To ensure your research is comprehensive and clear, it’s essential to provide solid theoretical foundations. For instance, if you are examining the relationship between human populations and ecological environments, incorporate theories that concentrate on particular elements of this connection in order to give context to your study.
If sustainability is a question being asked by your studies, consider introducing a theory or model which explores its implications further. Likewise, if invasive species have an influence on the area being studied – be sure to include related material!
Understanding essential terms.
Exploring uncharted territory in the sciences can be difficult, especially if a certain term is unfamiliar. To solve this issue, it’s imperative to provide definitions for any obscure or context-specific terminologies either when introducing an experiment (in the Introduction section) or during your summary of existing literature. By doing so, you’ll ensure that everyone comprehends what they’re reading and won’t get lost in unnecessary confusion!
Description of relevant research.
By including a brief overview of related studies, you can illustrate how your efforts extend or contradict past investigations and fill any existing gaps in the field. Utilizing your literary assessment as evidence is an excellent way to ascertain what works and does not work, as well as recognize what topics are yet unexplored.
Conclusion
Writing an effective literature review is essential to conduct research that contributes knowledge and insights into a particular area of study. By taking into account the aforementioned components, your review will be more organized, comprehensive, and meaningful – all while cementing your status as an expert within your field!