how to write a literature review
TRANSCRIPT
How to write a literature review
What is a review article?
A review article is a type of secondary literature that talks about previously published work.
“Review articles give an overview of existing literature in a field, often identifying specific problems or issues and analysing information from available published work on the topic with a balanced perspective.”
6 Article types that journals publish: A guide for early career researchers- Kakoli Majumder -
http://www.editage.com/insights/6-article-types-that-journals-publish-a-guide-for-early-career-researchers Available at:
Types of review articles
Today, we’ll understand how to write a literature review.
Systematic reviewsLiterature reviews
Meta-analyses
What is a literature review?
It analyzes specific issues.
A literature review is a critical summary of all the published works on a particular topic.
It identifies trends in research.
It points out research gaps in existing literature.
How a literature review helps scientists and readers
Readers are able to: • Form an idea about the current state
of understanding on a topic • Decide whether to read each article
individually
Scientists are able to: • Learn about developments in the
field• Find gaps in research• Identify new topics of research
How to write a literature review
You can write your literature review using one of the following approaches:
Chronological Thematic
The chronological approach
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Describe each work in succession, starting with the earliest available information.
Use this structure when you want to focus on how ideas or methodology have progressed over time.
Group and discuss your sources in order of their publication date.
Record the research and developments in each group.
Check how the field has developed over the years. Do all studies discuss a common topic?
Example: how models for treatment methods for skin cancer in children have developed over a specific period
TIPS for using the chronological approach
The thematic approachOrganize and discuss existing literature based on themes or theoretical concepts
you feel are important to understanding the topic.
Remember that you need to do much more than summarizing each study.
Analyze existing knowledge on the topic with regard to certain important issues.
Draw the readers’ attention to new angles or perspectives.
Start listing citations you may include in your paper.
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TIPS for using the thematic approach
Structure of a literature review
A literature review typically has five sections:
Introduction
Methods
Body
Discussion & Conclusion
Reference list
What you should include in each section (1/5)
IntroductionIntroductionSet some context; provide information about the field of study, the relevance of the chosen topic within the field, and the focus of the literature review.
What you should include in each section (2/5)
Introduction
Methods
Set some context; provide information about the field of study, the relevance of the chosen topic within the field, and the focus of the literature review.
Help readers understand your approach, describe the criteria used to select the sources or the way in which you have presented information.
What you should include in each section (3/5)
Introduction
Methods
Body
Set some context; provide information about the field of study, the relevance of the chosen topic within the field, and the focus of the literature review.
Help readers understand your approach, describe the criteria used to select the sources or the way in which you have presented information.
A chronological model has different paragraphs for different time periods; a thematic model has subtopics based on the different themes.
What you should include in each section (4/5)
Introduction
Methods
Body
Discussion & Conclusion
Set some context; provide information about the field of study, the relevance of the chosen topic within the field, and the focus of the literature review.
A chronological model has different paragraphs for different time periods; a thematic model has subtopics based on the different themes.
Summarize the main contributions of significant studies, raise and discuss questions about the topic and field, clearly mention gaps in research, if any, and possible suggestions for further study.
Help readers understand your approach, describe the criteria used to select the sources or the way in which you have presented information.
What you should include in each section (5/5)
Introduction
Methods
Body
Discussion & Conclusion
Reference list
Set some context; provide information about the field of study, the relevance of the chosen topic within the field, and the focus of the literature review.
Help readers understand your approach, describe the criteria used to select the sources or the way in which you have presented information.
A chronological model has different paragraphs for different time periods; a thematic model has subtopics based on the different themes.
Prepare a complete reference list that includes every important detail of all the sources you have referred to.
Source: A young researcher's guide to writing a literature review, Available from http://www.editage.com/insights/a-young-researchers-guide-to-writing-a-literature-review
Summarize the main contributions of significant studies, raise and discuss questions about the topic and field, clearly mention gaps in research, if any, and possible suggestions for further study.
Final checklist (1/2)
Choose the right topic
Check the literature you have chosen
The topic must be interesting to you; it should also be well-defined and important to the field.
Monitor the papers you have chosen to review, make changes to your bibliography, if required; prepare a complete reference list.
Take notes while reading
Write interesting bits of information or ideas as you read so that you don’t miss important points when writing the review.
Decide the format of your review
Decide whether you should use a thematic or chronological approach, based on the amount and type of material you have.
Keep the focus specific and interest general
While you focus on a specific topic, make sure your review is also relevant to a broader audience who may want to know more about the field.
Final checklist (2/2)Analyze critically, don’t summarize
Get the structure right
Source: Ten Simple Rules for Writing a Literature Review, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1003149
Cover the main findings in the reviewed field, include topics that are most debated, add your own thoughts instead of reporting what has been said.
Use a flowchart to map the flow of ideas in your literature review, and ensure that readers get a critical overview of research in the field.
Rely on feedback Seek feedback from colleagues and peers, and get more perspectives from senior colleagues before submitting your literature review for publication.
Be objectiveAvoid sounding as though you are overly critical or in favor of previous research; objectively present the strengths and weaknesses of previous studies.
Include older studies It is not necessary to only include the latest studies in your review; include older papers that made a high impact or that discussed the topic you are interested in.
We hope you found this useful.Good luck with your literature review!
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