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Literature Review: Conducting & Writing

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15 Literature Review Examples

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

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Literature reviews are a necessary step in a research process and often required when writing your research proposal . They involve gathering, analyzing, and evaluating existing knowledge about a topic in order to find gaps in the literature where future studies will be needed.

Ideally, once you have completed your literature review, you will be able to identify how your research project can build upon and extend existing knowledge in your area of study.

Generally, for my undergraduate research students, I recommend a narrative review, where themes can be generated in order for the students to develop sufficient understanding of the topic so they can build upon the themes using unique methods or novel research questions.

If you’re in the process of writing a literature review, I have developed a literature review template for you to use – it’s a huge time-saver and walks you through how to write a literature review step-by-step:

Get your time-saving templates here to write your own literature review.

Literature Review Examples

For the following types of literature review, I present an explanation and overview of the type, followed by links to some real-life literature reviews on the topics.

1. Narrative Review Examples

Also known as a traditional literature review, the narrative review provides a broad overview of the studies done on a particular topic.

It often includes both qualitative and quantitative studies and may cover a wide range of years.

The narrative review’s purpose is to identify commonalities, gaps, and contradictions in the literature .

I recommend to my students that they should gather their studies together, take notes on each study, then try to group them by themes that form the basis for the review (see my step-by-step instructions at the end of the article).

Example Study

Title: Communication in healthcare: a narrative review of the literature and practical recommendations

Citation: Vermeir, P., Vandijck, D., Degroote, S., Peleman, R., Verhaeghe, R., Mortier, E., … & Vogelaers, D. (2015). Communication in healthcare: a narrative review of the literature and practical recommendations. International journal of clinical practice , 69 (11), 1257-1267.

Source: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/ijcp.12686  

Overview: This narrative review analyzed themes emerging from 69 articles about communication in healthcare contexts. Five key themes were found in the literature: poor communication can lead to various negative outcomes, discontinuity of care, compromise of patient safety, patient dissatisfaction, and inefficient use of resources. After presenting the key themes, the authors recommend that practitioners need to approach healthcare communication in a more structured way, such as by ensuring there is a clear understanding of who is in charge of ensuring effective communication in clinical settings.

Other Examples

• Burnout in United States Healthcare Professionals: A Narrative Review (Reith, 2018) – read here
• Examining the Presence, Consequences, and Reduction of Implicit Bias in Health Care: A Narrative Review (Zestcott, Blair & Stone, 2016) – read here
• A Narrative Review of School-Based Physical Activity for Enhancing Cognition and Learning (Mavilidi et al., 2018) – read here
• A narrative review on burnout experienced by medical students and residents (Dyrbye & Shanafelt, 2015) – read here

2. Systematic Review Examples

This type of literature review is more structured and rigorous than a narrative review. It involves a detailed and comprehensive plan and search strategy derived from a set of specified research questions.

The key way you’d know a systematic review compared to a narrative review is in the methodology: the systematic review will likely have a very clear criteria for how the studies were collected, and clear explanations of exclusion/inclusion criteria. 

The goal is to gather the maximum amount of valid literature on the topic, filter out invalid or low-quality reviews, and minimize bias. Ideally, this will provide more reliable findings, leading to higher-quality conclusions and recommendations for further research.

You may note from the examples below that the ‘method’ sections in systematic reviews tend to be much more explicit, often noting rigid inclusion/exclusion criteria and exact keywords used in searches.

Title: The importance of food naturalness for consumers: Results of a systematic review  

Citation: Roman, S., Sánchez-Siles, L. M., & Siegrist, M. (2017). The importance of food naturalness for consumers: Results of a systematic review. Trends in food science & technology , 67 , 44-57.

Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S092422441730122X  

Overview: This systematic review included 72 studies of food naturalness to explore trends in the literature about its importance for consumers. Keywords used in the data search included: food, naturalness, natural content, and natural ingredients. Studies were included if they examined consumers’ preference for food naturalness and contained empirical data. The authors found that the literature lacks clarity about how naturalness is defined and measured, but also found that food consumption is significantly influenced by perceived naturalness of goods.

• A systematic review of research on online teaching and learning from 2009 to 2018 (Martin, Sun & Westine, 2020) – read here
• Where Is Current Research on Blockchain Technology? (Yli-Huumo et al., 2016) – read here
• Universities—industry collaboration: A systematic review (Ankrah & Al-Tabbaa, 2015) – read here
• Internet of Things Applications: A Systematic Review (Asghari, Rahmani & Javadi, 2019) – read here

3. Meta-analysis

This is a type of systematic review that uses statistical methods to combine and summarize the results of several studies.

Due to its robust methodology, a meta-analysis is often considered the ‘gold standard’ of secondary research , as it provides a more precise estimate of a treatment effect than any individual study contributing to the pooled analysis.

Furthermore, by aggregating data from a range of studies, a meta-analysis can identify patterns, disagreements, or other interesting relationships that may have been hidden in individual studies.

This helps to enhance the generalizability of findings, making the conclusions drawn from a meta-analysis particularly powerful and informative for policy and practice.

Title: Cholesterol and Alzheimer’s Disease Risk: A Meta-Meta-Analysis

Citation: Sáiz-Vazquez, O., Puente-Martínez, A., Ubillos-Landa, S., Pacheco-Bonrostro, J., & Santabárbara, J. (2020). Cholesterol and Alzheimer’s disease risk: a meta-meta-analysis. Brain sciences, 10(6), 386.

Source: https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10060386  

O verview: This study examines the relationship between cholesterol and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Researchers conducted a systematic search of meta-analyses and reviewed several databases, collecting 100 primary studies and five meta-analyses to analyze the connection between cholesterol and Alzheimer’s disease. They find that the literature compellingly demonstrates that low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels significantly influence the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

• The power of feedback revisited: A meta-analysis of educational feedback research (Wisniewski, Zierer & Hattie, 2020) – read here
• How Much Does Education Improve Intelligence? A Meta-Analysis (Ritchie & Tucker-Drob, 2018) – read here
• A meta-analysis of factors related to recycling (Geiger et al., 2019) – read here
• Stress management interventions for police officers and recruits (Patterson, Chung & Swan, 2014) – read here

Other Types of Reviews

• Scoping Review: This type of review is used to map the key concepts underpinning a research area and the main sources and types of evidence available. It can be undertaken as stand-alone projects in their own right, or as a precursor to a systematic review.
• Rapid Review: This type of review accelerates the systematic review process in order to produce information in a timely manner. This is achieved by simplifying or omitting stages of the systematic review process.
• Integrative Review: This review method is more inclusive than others, allowing for the simultaneous inclusion of experimental and non-experimental research. The goal is to more comprehensively understand a particular phenomenon.
• Critical Review: This is similar to a narrative review but requires a robust understanding of both the subject and the existing literature. In a critical review, the reviewer not only summarizes the existing literature, but also evaluates its strengths and weaknesses. This is common in the social sciences and humanities .
• State-of-the-Art Review: This considers the current level of advancement in a field or topic and makes recommendations for future research directions. This type of review is common in technological and scientific fields but can be applied to any discipline.

How to Write a Narrative Review (Tips for Undergrad Students)

Most undergraduate students conducting a capstone research project will be writing narrative reviews. Below is a five-step process for conducting a simple review of the literature for your project.

• Search for Relevant Literature: Use scholarly databases related to your field of study, provided by your university library, along with appropriate search terms to identify key scholarly articles that have been published on your topic.
• Evaluate and Select Sources: Filter the source list by selecting studies that are directly relevant and of sufficient quality, considering factors like credibility , objectivity, accuracy, and validity.
• Analyze and Synthesize: Review each source and summarize the main arguments  in one paragraph (or more, for postgrad). Keep these summaries in a table.
• Identify Themes: With all studies summarized, group studies that share common themes, such as studies that have similar findings or methodologies.
• Write the Review: Write your review based upon the themes or subtopics you have identified. Give a thorough overview of each theme, integrating source data, and conclude with a summary of the current state of knowledge then suggestions for future research based upon your evaluation of what is lacking in the literature.

Literature reviews don’t have to be as scary as they seem. Yes, they are difficult and require a strong degree of comprehension of academic studies. But it can be feasibly done through following a structured approach to data collection and analysis. With my undergraduate research students (who tend to conduct small-scale qualitative studies ), I encourage them to conduct a narrative literature review whereby they can identify key themes in the literature. Within each theme, students can critique key studies and their strengths and limitations , in order to get a lay of the land and come to a point where they can identify ways to contribute new insights to the existing academic conversation on their topic.

Ankrah, S., & Omar, A. T. (2015). Universities–industry collaboration: A systematic review. Scandinavian Journal of Management, 31(3), 387-408.

Asghari, P., Rahmani, A. M., & Javadi, H. H. S. (2019). Internet of Things applications: A systematic review. Computer Networks , 148 , 241-261.

Dyrbye, L., & Shanafelt, T. (2016). A narrative review on burnout experienced by medical students and residents. Medical education , 50 (1), 132-149.

Geiger, J. L., Steg, L., Van Der Werff, E., & Ünal, A. B. (2019). A meta-analysis of factors related to recycling. Journal of environmental psychology , 64 , 78-97.

Martin, F., Sun, T., & Westine, C. D. (2020). A systematic review of research on online teaching and learning from 2009 to 2018. Computers & education , 159 , 104009.

Mavilidi, M. F., Ruiter, M., Schmidt, M., Okely, A. D., Loyens, S., Chandler, P., & Paas, F. (2018). A narrative review of school-based physical activity for enhancing cognition and learning: The importance of relevancy and integration. Frontiers in psychology , 2079.

Patterson, G. T., Chung, I. W., & Swan, P. W. (2014). Stress management interventions for police officers and recruits: A meta-analysis. Journal of experimental criminology , 10 , 487-513.

Reith, T. P. (2018). Burnout in United States healthcare professionals: a narrative review. Cureus , 10 (12).

Ritchie, S. J., & Tucker-Drob, E. M. (2018). How much does education improve intelligence? A meta-analysis. Psychological science , 29 (8), 1358-1369.

Roman, S., Sánchez-Siles, L. M., & Siegrist, M. (2017). The importance of food naturalness for consumers: Results of a systematic review. Trends in food science & technology , 67 , 44-57.

Sáiz-Vazquez, O., Puente-Martínez, A., Ubillos-Landa, S., Pacheco-Bonrostro, J., & Santabárbara, J. (2020). Cholesterol and Alzheimer’s disease risk: a meta-meta-analysis. Brain sciences, 10(6), 386.

Vermeir, P., Vandijck, D., Degroote, S., Peleman, R., Verhaeghe, R., Mortier, E., … & Vogelaers, D. (2015). Communication in healthcare: a narrative review of the literature and practical recommendations. International journal of clinical practice , 69 (11), 1257-1267.

Wisniewski, B., Zierer, K., & Hattie, J. (2020). The power of feedback revisited: A meta-analysis of educational feedback research. Frontiers in Psychology , 10 , 3087.

Yli-Huumo, J., Ko, D., Choi, S., Park, S., & Smolander, K. (2016). Where is current research on blockchain technology?—a systematic review. PloS one , 11 (10), e0163477.

Zestcott, C. A., Blair, I. V., & Stone, J. (2016). Examining the presence, consequences, and reduction of implicit bias in health care: a narrative review. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations , 19 (4), 528-542

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Top 20 Literature Review Examples

Struggling with writing a literature review? Our guide provides multiple examples of literature reviews across different fields to help you understand the structure and nuances of this crucial component of research.

If you’re new to academic writing, you may find the idea of writing a literature review daunting. A literature review is a critical component of most research papers, theses, and dissertations. It involves summarizing, analyzing, and synthesizing existing research to provide a foundation for your own work. To help you understand this process better, we've compiled multiple examples of literature reviews from different fields and contexts. This guide will not only show you what a literature review looks like but will also provide tips for writing your own.

What Is a Literature Review?

A literature review is a comprehensive overview of the existing research on a particular topic. It typically surveys scholarly articles, books, and other credible sources to identify gaps, trends, and key arguments in the field. The purpose of a literature review is to demonstrate your understanding of the topic and to position your own research within the context of existing scholarship. Unlike a simple summary, a literature review provides critical analysis, demonstrates relationships between works, and often identifies areas for future research.

A good literature review not only synthesizes current research but also provides a critical framework that justifies the necessity of your research project. It’s about engaging deeply with the literature to show that you understand the complexities and nuances of your field. This engagement helps lay a solid foundation for your research objectives, creating a context that supports your hypothesis or research questions.

Why Are Literature Reviews Important?

Literature reviews are crucial because they provide context for your own research, showing where it fits within the existing body of knowledge. They help identify what has already been discovered, what questions remain unanswered, and how your research can contribute to the field. By synthesizing previous work, you lay the groundwork for the originality and significance of your own study.

Moreover, a literature review helps to establish credibility. It demonstrates that you are well-versed in the relevant literature and that you are capable of understanding and analyzing existing research critically. This is particularly important for convincing your audience—whether they are your professors, peers, or other researchers—of the validity and value of your work. A well-constructed literature review highlights your scholarly diligence and sets the stage for your contribution to the ongoing academic conversation.

Example 1: Literature Review in Psychology

Consider a literature review for a research paper on the impact of mindfulness on reducing anxiety. In this example, the author starts by summarizing foundational research on mindfulness practices, citing key studies that show how mindfulness reduces stress. Then, they move on to analyze recent findings that specifically target anxiety disorders. The author identifies a gap in the research: while there are numerous studies on general stress reduction, fewer studies focus on mindfulness and its impact on different types of anxiety. This literature review effectively highlights both well-established findings and areas where further research is needed.

The author also categorizes the literature into themes—mindfulness as a general wellness practice versus mindfulness targeted specifically at clinical anxiety. This thematic organization helps readers quickly understand the nuances between different applications of mindfulness. Furthermore, the author discusses methodological differences between studies, such as sample size and duration of mindfulness interventions, which adds depth to the analysis and provides a more rounded understanding of the current research landscape.

Example 2: Literature Review in Business Management

A literature review in business management might focus on leadership styles and their impact on employee productivity. The author begins by outlining different leadership theories such as transformational, transactional, and servant leadership. The review then examines existing studies that link these leadership styles to employee satisfaction and productivity metrics. A critical analysis is provided, suggesting that while transformational leadership is often associated with high productivity, there is still debate about its effectiveness across different cultural contexts. The author uses this debate as a basis for proposing their own research question, which seeks to explore the relationship between leadership styles and employee productivity in non-Western countries.

In addition, the author includes a subsection on leadership styles in the digital age, discussing how virtual teams and remote work environments challenge traditional leadership paradigms. This perspective helps highlight the evolving nature of leadership and adds an extra layer of relevance by connecting classical leadership theories to modern organizational challenges. The author also identifies inconsistencies in the literature, such as conflicting findings regarding which style is most effective in high-stress environments, thus setting up the importance of further research.

Example 3: Literature Review in Medicine

For a literature review in the field of medicine, let’s look at a study focused on the effectiveness of telemedicine in rural healthcare settings. The author summarizes existing literature on telemedicine, including studies that highlight its benefits—such as increased access to healthcare and cost efficiency. The review also presents findings that discuss the challenges of telemedicine, such as technology barriers and privacy concerns. The author synthesizes these perspectives to demonstrate that while telemedicine offers promise for rural healthcare, further studies are needed to understand its long-term impact on patient outcomes. This literature review is structured to identify both the strengths and challenges in current research, setting the stage for further exploration.

Additionally, the author discusses the role of policy and government initiatives in supporting telemedicine, providing context on how regulations affect the adoption and efficacy of telemedicine practices. By incorporating this broader socio-political context, the author adds depth to the analysis, emphasizing that the success of telemedicine is not just about technology but also about institutional and regulatory frameworks. The literature review ends with a section on future research directions, suggesting that longitudinal studies are necessary to assess patient outcomes over extended periods, which is a critical gap identified in the current body of research.

Example 4: Literature Review in Education

In an education-based literature review, the focus might be on the impact of technology in the classroom. The author starts by covering historical perspectives on educational technology, then moves on to discuss the evolution of tools like smartboards, learning management systems, and tablets. A significant part of the review involves analyzing the effectiveness of these technologies on student learning outcomes. The author contrasts studies that show positive results with those that point out limitations, such as reduced social interaction and technology dependence. By presenting both sides, the author provides a balanced view, ultimately highlighting the need for more nuanced research into the types of technology that contribute most effectively to different learning environments.

The author also categorizes the literature by age groups—examining the impact of technology in early childhood education, primary school, and higher education. This breakdown allows for a more targeted analysis, as the impact of technology can vary significantly depending on the developmental stage of the students. The author also integrates perspectives from educators, students, and parents, providing a comprehensive look at how different stakeholders view educational technology, thereby enriching the analysis and pointing out areas for further inquiry.

Example 5: Literature Review in Environmental Science

A literature review in environmental science might explore the impact of climate change on coastal ecosystems. The author begins by summarizing foundational studies on climate change, highlighting the major effects on sea levels and temperature changes. Then, they analyze specific studies focusing on coastal regions, pointing out the increased frequency of extreme weather events and their consequences on marine biodiversity. The author categorizes the studies into subtopics such as coral reef degradation, changes in fish populations, and the socio-economic impacts on coastal communities. The literature review emphasizes the importance of both mitigation and adaptation strategies and calls for more research into localized solutions to climate impacts.

Example 6: Literature Review in Sociology

In sociology, a literature review might examine the relationship between social media use and mental health among teenagers. The author starts by summarizing studies that explore different aspects of social media, including both its positive impacts (e.g., social connectedness) and negative outcomes (e.g., anxiety and depression). The review synthesizes findings by categorizing studies into those that focus on frequency of use, type of content consumed, and peer interactions. The author critically discusses conflicting results—some studies show positive social outcomes, while others link heavy social media use to increased feelings of loneliness. By highlighting these inconsistencies, the author sets up a strong case for their research question, which seeks to clarify under what conditions social media has a positive or negative impact.

Example 7: Literature Review in Political Science

A literature review in political science could focus on the effectiveness of international sanctions. The author starts by discussing the historical context of sanctions, reviewing examples from major international conflicts. The literature is then organized by theme, such as economic sanctions, diplomatic sanctions, and their impact on civilian populations. The author identifies the challenges of measuring the effectiveness of sanctions due to political biases and varying methodologies. The review points out that while sanctions can pressure governments, they often have unintended consequences for ordinary citizens, leading to a discussion on the ethical implications. The author uses this to propose further research into alternative diplomatic tools.

Example 8: Literature Review in Public Health

In public health, a literature review might examine the effectiveness of vaccination campaigns in increasing immunization rates in underserved populations. The author begins by summarizing foundational public health theories related to immunization and community health. They then present studies on specific vaccination campaigns, noting differences in approaches such as door-to-door outreach versus community center initiatives. The review also considers barriers like vaccine misinformation, accessibility issues, and socio-cultural resistance. The author identifies successful strategies, such as involving local community leaders, and suggests areas for further research, including the role of digital platforms in spreading accurate health information.

Example 9: Literature Review in Economics

A literature review in economics might explore the concept of universal basic income (UBI) and its potential impact on poverty alleviation. The author starts by summarizing theoretical frameworks behind UBI, including Keynesian and libertarian perspectives. Then, they evaluate empirical studies from different countries that have piloted UBI programs, such as Finland and Kenya. The review highlights the positive outcomes, such as reduced financial stress and increased entrepreneurship, but also addresses concerns about inflation and work disincentives. The author identifies a gap in the literature regarding the long-term socio-economic effects of UBI and suggests that further longitudinal studies are needed.

Example 10: Literature Review in Engineering

In an engineering context, a literature review might focus on advancements in renewable energy storage solutions. The author reviews various technologies, such as lithium-ion batteries, hydrogen fuel cells, and thermal storage. Each section provides an overview of the technology, its current applications, and challenges. The author also compares the efficiency and scalability of each solution, pointing out the trade-offs in terms of cost, safety, and environmental impact. By highlighting the need for improved energy storage to support renewable power grids, the author makes a case for future research into hybrid storage systems that combine the strengths of multiple technologies.

Example 11: Literature Review in Anthropology

A literature review in anthropology might investigate the cultural implications of globalization on indigenous communities. The author begins by reviewing early theories of globalization and their predicted effects on cultural identity. Then, they present specific case studies from various regions, such as the Amazon and Southeast Asia, to illustrate the real-world impact on traditional practices and languages. The review highlights both the resilience of certain communities and the challenges they face, such as loss of land and cultural commodification. The author concludes by calling for more participatory research methods that involve indigenous voices directly.

Example 12: Literature Review in Linguistics

In a linguistics literature review, the focus might be on language acquisition in bilingual children. The author summarizes foundational research in language development theories, such as Chomsky's theory of innate grammar versus behaviorist models. They then present recent studies that examine how bilingual children navigate multiple languages at home and in school settings. The author highlights differences in cognitive development, social factors, and the effects of simultaneous versus sequential bilingualism. This review points out gaps in the research, particularly the need for longitudinal studies to understand long-term academic outcomes for bilingual children.

Example 13: Literature Review in Environmental Policy

A literature review in environmental policy could focus on carbon pricing mechanisms as a tool for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The author begins by reviewing economic theories related to carbon taxes and cap-and-trade systems. They then analyze real-world examples, such as carbon pricing initiatives in the European Union and British Columbia. The review discusses both successes and challenges, including economic impacts on industries and the effectiveness in reducing emissions. The author suggests that future research should explore hybrid models that combine regulatory and market-based approaches to improve policy outcomes.

Example 14: Literature Review in Computer Science

In computer science, a literature review might explore the evolution of machine learning algorithms for natural language processing (NLP). The author starts by summarizing the development of early NLP models, such as rule-based systems, and transitions into modern deep learning approaches. The review categorizes algorithms into supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning methods, analyzing their respective advantages and limitations. The author also addresses ethical concerns regarding biases in language models and calls for more research into fair and transparent AI development practices.

Example 15: Literature Review in Urban Studies

A literature review in urban studies might explore the phenomenon of urban gentrification and its impact on local communities. The author begins by providing a historical overview of gentrification and reviewing early theoretical frameworks, such as rent gap theory. Then, they present case studies from cities like New York, London, and Berlin to highlight the social and economic effects on displaced residents. The author contrasts perspectives that see gentrification as a driver of economic revitalization with those that view it as a source of inequality. The review concludes by identifying a need for more community-centered research to understand the long-term social implications of urban redevelopment.

Example 16: Literature Review in Philosophy

A literature review in philosophy could focus on ethical theories related to artificial intelligence. The author begins by outlining classical ethical frameworks, such as utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics, and discusses how these theories apply to AI. The review then examines contemporary debates, such as the moral implications of autonomous decision-making and the responsibilities of AI developers. By exploring both philosophical arguments and practical considerations, the author highlights gaps in current ethical guidelines and calls for interdisciplinary research to address the unique challenges posed by AI.

Example 17: Literature Review in Criminal Justice

A literature review in criminal justice could focus on the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs for reducing recidivism among offenders. The author begins by presenting an overview of different rehabilitation strategies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), vocational training, and restorative justice programs. The review categorizes studies by the type of offender, such as juvenile versus adult, and discusses the varying success rates. The author identifies a gap in longitudinal studies examining the long-term success of rehabilitation, proposing future research to explore how these programs impact offenders years after release.

Example 18: Literature Review in Nutrition Science

A literature review in nutrition science might examine the role of plant-based diets in preventing chronic diseases. The author starts by summarizing foundational research on the health benefits of plant-based eating, such as reduced risks of heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. The review then discusses recent studies comparing plant-based diets to omnivorous diets in terms of nutrient intake and overall health outcomes. The author highlights methodological variations, such as differences in dietary definitions, and suggests further research into the role of supplementation in plant-based diets to ensure nutritional adequacy.

Example 19: Literature Review in Marketing

A literature review in marketing might explore the impact of influencer endorsements on consumer purchasing behavior. The author begins by reviewing early studies on celebrity endorsements and their influence on brand perception. The review then transitions to modern social media influencers, comparing their effectiveness to that of traditional celebrities. The author categorizes studies based on different factors, such as the type of product, audience demographics, and platform used. The review points out a gap in the literature related to the ethical implications of influencer marketing, suggesting further research into transparency and consumer trust.

Example 20: Literature Review in History

In a history-based literature review, the focus could be on the causes of the Industrial Revolution. The author starts by reviewing various theories, including economic, technological, and cultural explanations. The literature is organized by different schools of thought, such as Marxist interpretations, which emphasize economic factors, versus cultural historians who focus on shifts in societal values. The author also presents case studies from different countries, comparing how the Industrial Revolution unfolded in Britain, France, and Germany. This comparative analysis reveals inconsistencies in existing theories and suggests a need for a more integrated approach to understanding the multiple causes of this transformative period.

Tips for Writing Your Own Literature Review

• Define Your Scope : Clearly define the scope of your literature review. What are you trying to cover, and what are the boundaries of your topic? Be specific to avoid overwhelming yourself with too much material.
• Organize by Theme : Instead of summarizing each source chronologically, group your literature by themes or trends. This helps to create a more cohesive narrative and makes it easier for readers to follow your argument.
• Synthesize, Don’t Summarize : Go beyond simply summarizing the studies—synthesize them by comparing, contrasting, and connecting different sources. Show how the research interacts, where it agrees, and where it diverges.
• Highlight Gaps : Identify areas where more research is needed. This shows your understanding of the field and justifies your own research. Pointing out gaps also demonstrates that your research has a unique contribution to make.
• Use Credible Sources : Always use reputable academic sources, such as peer-reviewed journal articles, books by experts in the field, and official reports. Credible sources strengthen your argument and add validity to your review.
• Be Critical, Not Just Descriptive : A good literature review involves critical analysis. Question methodologies, identify biases, and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each study. This critical approach will make your review more engaging and informative.
• Keep It Organized : Use headings and subheadings to keep your literature review well-structured. A well-organized review is easier to follow and helps emphasize the relationships between different pieces of literature.
• Take Notes and Summarize Key Points : During the research phase, make detailed notes and summarize the key findings of each source. This will make it easier to identify connections and gaps in the literature when you start writing.
• Use Direct Quotes Sparingly : While quoting sources can be effective, use direct quotes sparingly. Instead, paraphrase the content and provide your interpretation or analysis. This will make your literature review more original and will better showcase your understanding of the material.
• Incorporate Contrasting Perspectives : Including differing viewpoints makes your literature review more comprehensive. When appropriate, address contrasting theories or studies that challenge your own perspective. Analyzing these opposing views will add depth to your review and demonstrate critical thinking.
• Establish Relationships Between Studies : Highlight connections between studies by showing how one piece of research builds on or refines another. This helps create a storyline for your literature review and illustrates the development of knowledge within your topic.
• Limit Scope Creep : It's easy to get sidetracked while researching. Stay focused on your specific research questions and avoid expanding your scope too broadly. Limiting scope creep ensures that your literature review remains concise and coherent.
• Summarize Each Section : At the end of each major section, provide a brief summary that ties together the points you’ve discussed. This will help to reinforce the main themes and make it easier for readers to follow your overall argument.
• Use Visual Aids Where Applicable : If possible, include tables, charts, or concept maps to organize and summarize key findings visually. This can make your literature review more engaging and help convey complex relationships more clearly.
• Revise and Edit Thoroughly : Writing a literature review is an iterative process. After your first draft, revisit your review to refine the flow, strengthen connections, and improve clarity. Pay attention to consistency in your writing style and ensure that each section logically builds on the previous one.

Final Thoughts

A well-written literature review is more than just a summary of existing work—it’s a critical analysis that provides context for your research and helps position it within the broader academic landscape. By examining these examples and understanding how they are structured, you can gain valuable insights into how to write a literature review that is both informative and engaging. Remember, the key is to create a narrative that ties together different pieces of research while demonstrating your unique contribution to the topic.

Whether you are writing a literature review in psychology, business, medicine, or education, these examples should give you a solid foundation. The more practice you get in analyzing and synthesizing existing research, the better equipped you will be to produce high-quality academic work. Always aim for depth, critical engagement, and clarity, as these elements will make your literature review a strong backbone for your research.

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Literature Reviews

• General overview of Literature Reviews
• What should a Literature Review include?
• Examples of Literature Reviews
• Research - Getting Started

Online Resources

• CWU Learning Commons: Writing Resources
• Purdue OWL: Writing a Literature Review

Literature Reviews Examples

Social Sciences examples

• Psychology study In this example, the literature review can be found on pages 1086-1089, stopping at the section labeled "Aims and Hypotheses".
• Law and Justice study In this example, the literature review can be found on pages 431-449, stopping at the section labeled "Identifying and Evaluating the Impacts of the Prisoners' Rights Movement". This article uses a historical literature review approach.
• Anthropology study The literature review in this article runs from page 218 at the heading "Between Critique and Enchantment" and ends on page 221 before the heading "The Imagination as a Dimension of Reality".

Hard Science examples

• Physics article The literature review in this paper can be found in the Introduction section, ending at the section titled "Experimental procedure".
• Health Science article The literature review in this article is located at the beginning, before the Methods section.

Arts and Humanities examples

• Composition paper In this example, the literature review has its own dedicated section titled "Literature Review" on pages 2-3.
• Political geography paper The literature review in this paper is located in the introduction section.

Standalone Literature Review examples

• Project-based learning: A review of the literature
• Mental health and gender dysphoria: A review of the literature
• Academic engagement and commercialisation: A review of the literature on university–industry relations
• << Previous: What should a Literature Review include?
• Next: Research - Getting Started >>
• Last Updated: Sep 18, 2024 9:14 AM
• URL: https://libguides.lib.cwu.edu/LiteratureReviews

Literature Review Guide: Examples of Literature Reviews

• What is a Literature Review?
• How to start?
• Picking your research question and searching
• Search strategies and Databases
• How to organise the review
• Examples of Literature Reviews
• Library summary

All good quality journal articles will include a small Literature Review after the Introduction paragraph.  It may not be called a Literature Review but gives you an idea of how one is created in miniature.

Sample Literature Reviews as part of a articles or Theses

• Hackett, G and Melia, D . The hotel as the holiday/stay destination:trends and innovations. Presented at TRIC Conference, Belfast, Ireland- June 2012 and EuroCHRIE Conference

Links to sample Literature Reviews from other libraries

• Sample literature reviews from University of West Florida

Irish Theses

• Phillips, Martin (2015) European airline performance: a data envelopment analysis with extrapolations based on model outputs. Master of Business Studies thesis, Dublin City University.
• The customers’ perception of servicescape’s influence on their behaviours, in the food retail industry : Dublin Business School 2015
• Coughlan, Ray (2015) What was the role of leadership in the transformation of a failing Irish Insurance business. Masters thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.
• << Previous: How to organise the review
• Next: Library summary >>
• Last Updated: Sep 6, 2024 3:37 PM
• URL: https://ait.libguides.com/literaturereview

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• Basics of Dissertation & Thesis Writing
• How to Write a Literature Review for Research: Guide, Structure & Template Examples
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How to Write a Literature Review for Research: Guide, Structure & Template Examples

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A literature review is a critical analysis of published research on a particular topic. It involves reviewing and analyzing a range of sources, such as academic articles, books, and reports. Students conduct a literature review before writing a research paper or dissertation to gain an understanding of the existing knowledge and recognize areas for further exploration.

Evaluating scholarly works is a crucial aspect of academic work because it establishes the foundation for an inquiry and uncovers new information or gaps in studies. Thus, it is essential to develop and structure it correctly.  In this guide you will find:

• A detailed definition
• Elements of a good literary review
• How to do a literature review
• Examples of literature review template.

Read on to explore the structure and straightforward steps for assessing existing sources on your topic.  In case you are looking for a quick solution, consider giving our literature review services a try. 

What Is a Literature Review: Definition

Before delving further, let’s first define what is a literature review in research. As a researcher, you might need to objectively synthesize, explore, and evaluate existing studies conducted by others. A literature review helps you identify gaps or areas that require further investigation. It boils down to analyzing and making sense of a massive body of knowledge. It is crucial to be critical during the entire process as it is the most effective approach to engaging with texts. You need to objectively identify their strengths and weaknesses, and convey your positive or negative views.   In other words, literature reviews are about deducing specific sources and comparing relevant studies to find similarities and differences. This process may reveal new perspectives or offer a thorough outline for further developments in a specific field. It can also inform readers about the relevance and validity of existing documents to the statement of the problem . You conduct a lit review to get an overview of concepts surrounding your subject, keep up to date with trends in your field, and enhance your credibility. Besides, it offers a solid background for a research paper , thesis or dissertation .

What Is the Purpose of a Literature Review?

A literature review must highlight your overall knowledge of a research subject and help you develop an argument, mostly by responding to a specific question. It is not just a summary of what you have read.  Commonly, the purpose of a literature review is to help you:

• Understand and convey the current state of literature on your research topic .
• Find adequate documents on your subject to form your perspective.
• Create a framework for your paper based on research goals.
• Identify gaps in studies and develop novel research questions .
• Select appropriate methods by locating tried and tested techniques.

Note that keeping all these points in mind is important to get the most from an evaluation process when conducting the review.

Types of Literature Reviews

There are various types of literature reviews, each with specific expectations in terms of depth, structure, length, and scope. Here are the main ones:

• Stand-alone literature review. This type involves a comprehensive analysis of prior research related to a specific question. Here, your task is to evaluate and compare existing studies, identify trends, and recognize gaps, weaknesses, and controversies in the field.
• Literature review for a journal article. In this case, the analysis of literature focuses on providing background information for an inquiry being conducted. It is usually placed in an introduction or combined with the discussion of results.
• Literature review assignment. Students may be assigned a selective project to familiarize themselves with a theme and studies in their field. The intention could also be to identify gaps in the current knowledge base to suggest new questions, develop a theoretical framework in research , or determine a suitable methodology for future exploration. This type deals with a small part of research on a subject and stands as a complete work.
• Research paper literature review. The main objective here is to facilitate scholars in gathering, condensing, synthesizing, and examining current research on a specific issue. This is particularly beneficial to academics who are investigating a new area of study or seeking guidance on topics that have not yet been thoroughly explored.
• Thesis or dissertation literature review. This is a separate chapter placed after the Ph.D. thesis introduction and before the dissertation methodology section. It helps the author understand what has already been studied and what gaps exist in the current knowledge. By analyzing the existing research, a researcher can identify opportunities for further investigation and ensure that their study is original and significant.

How Long Should a Literature Review Be?

If the instructions for a task do not specify the required length of the literature review, there are some guidelines to consider. In general, it would be enough to have 20-25% of the total size of your work as an analysis part. Typically, the analysis section of the review should constitute around 20-25% of the total length of the work. However, several factors, such as the project purpose, intended audience, type, and scope, may affect how long a literature review is. For example, a dissertation usually requires an extensive literature evaluation section. The best assessments, however, are usually not less than 2 pages long.  If you are uncertain about the appropriate length, refer to the table below for guidance. Literature Review Length in Different Projects

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Features of a Good Literature Review

Regardless of your work’s nature, composing a good literature review is a laborious process that many students rightfully find challenging. This is because you may need to go through numerous studies and identify gaps, recognize frameworks, cite sources, and ensure coherence. Therefore, to develop a decent piece it is essential to consider the characteristics described below. The best work:

• Is more than just a list of relevant studies: you should critically examine others’ ideas and assess how they are presented.
• Considers a variety of reliable and applicable sources: a scientific literature review should demonstrate that you are familiar with relevant readings on your topic. Thus, ensure you have covered important, broad, latest, and pertinent texts. Such an approach enhances the depth of your evaluation and highlights various viewpoints.
• Demonstrates an awareness of values and theories underpinning the work: in the first place, you must understand why exactly you are conducting the evaluation. If you don’t know the purpose and function of the process, you will not write effectively.
• Relates papers to each other by comparing and contrasting them: a literature review in research moves past simple descriptions of what others have written. Rather, it entails connecting, finding differences and similarities, and interpreting concepts.
• Offers personal reactions and opinions to manuscripts: after comparing, contrasting, and critiquing others’ works, you should present your own interpretation and analysis.
• Showcases research gaps that your study will deal with and help address.
• Applies appropriate linking/transition words such as “similarly”, “however”, “also”, “contend”, “conclude”, “argue”, and “assert”: this helps you group together related notions, highlight contrasting views, and introduce others’ opinions or texts while remaining objective throughout the analysis.

What to Include in a Literature Review?

At this point, you understand the definitions, purpose, and features of a literature review. Now you need to present information effectively. Like in any other formal paper, your work must have a basic structure comprising an introduction, body, and conclusion.  But what does it look like? The layout goes beyond these sections because you must also consider how your themes and arguments will be organized.  Here is a detailed description of the three main parts of a literature review:

• Introduction Your first section should be brief, direct, and focused. Explain the main themes or topics to be analyzed, the arguments you will present, and the underlying reasons for your claims.
• Body In this section, conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the selected sources and organize them using a specific approach, such as themes or topics. Make sure to present your arguments clearly, linking them to studies that support or contradict your assessment. Remember to include viewpoints that disagree with your position to strengthen your evaluation. Cite the works of various authors you are critically analyzing, and limit the use of direct quotes. Instead, paraphrase and include references.
• Conclusion Summarize your literature review by highlighting the conclusions drawn from your analysis. You can restate gaps in knowledge, explain how your study will address them, and recommend future research needed on the topic.

Look at the example of the literature review template below to learn more.

Read more: Literature Review Outline

How to Structure a Literature Review?

Once you are ready to begin writing a literature review, it is necessary to think about how you will organize information. This helps avoid the risk of your work turning into a loose sequence of summaries instead of a logical and integrated analysis.  A literature review structure should be chosen based on the style used in your body section. Here are the major approaches you can use:

• Thematic This approach involves organizing your analysis around themes, topics, or issues. It is particularly useful when focusing on a single overarching subject and enables you to highlight critical debates within sub-themes.
• Chronological Literature reviews using this format organize studies based on when they were published, typically moving from older to newer works to explore the topic's development over time. It is important to analyze sources by considering any debates and turning points that influenced the subject and offer your interpretation.
• Methodological This design focuses on the methods other researchers used. A review of literature using this layout considers the perspective from which a particular theme was examined or the procedures used to answer a specific question. It may use qualitative, quantitative, or other strategies within these two broad techniques.
• Theoretical A theoretical approach involves a systematic and critical examination of existing theories, models, and frameworks related to the research topic or question. This approach helps to establish the context, identify gaps, and provide a foundation for your own research.

How to Write a Literature Review?

If you are still wondering how to write a literature review for a research paper, thesis or dissertation, this guideline will help you get started. While you have learned about important elements such as structuring and organization, you may still need guidance on how to establish your foundation for creating your review.  The following sections provide easy-to-understand explanations on how to write a lit review. Below are 7 steps you must follow to develop a decent paper.

1. Select a Topic and Narrow It Down

As you begin reviewing literature, it is vital to get your focus correct. Depending on your field of study, the selected topic must be:

• Relevant and important Explore a crucial concern in your field so that people will be interested in your work and you will have sufficient material to base your project on.
• Interesting This is essential because learning how to write a good literature review starts with being inquisitive since you can’t investigate something that doesn’t arouse your curiosity.
• Well defined this helps you include only relevant publications to make your paper helpful.
• Narrow Your theme must be specific yet researched enough to allow for an in-depth analysis. Broad issues usually necessitate a large number of studies, which will be impossible to explore meaningfully.

2. Search for Pertinent Literature

After having selected a topic for your research literature review, you need to search for studies. As you do this research, you'll want to take note of the keywords and phrases that appear frequently in the articles. These keywords can be used to create a list of search terms that you'll use to find additional articles on your topic. To ensure that your search terms are effective, you should try to identify the most important keywords and phrases related to your topic. These might be the names of key researchers, conceptual frameworks , theories, or techniques related to your topic. Consider the headings that the documents have been tagged with and words occurring in abstracts and titles. You can then organize your phrases into blocks based on the main ideas. Once you have identified the relevant keywords for your scientific literature review, it's time to search for articles. To do this, you'll need to choose at least two credible databases to search for good articles. Popular options include:

• Google Scholar

But there may be other databases that are more appropriate for your specific topic. When searching across different databases, it's important to use a uniform search strategy. This means combining your search terms using " OR " and " AND " to create a block of related terms. You can then type this block into the basic search box or use the advanced search feature, enclosing the terms in parentheses. This makes it easier to find specific articles. For example, consider these keywords:

Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, adolescents, young adults, and management. The search term block would be “(Crohn’s disease OR ulcerative colitis) AND (young adults OR adolescent) AND management”.

Since the generated results may contain irrelevant or unreliable sources, ensure that you select only dependable ones. This is a key skill to develop when conducting a literature review because it allows you to choose the best articles to support your arguments.

3. Analyze and Choose Relevant Sources

After completing your search for articles and selecting databases, it's time to review the sources and choose which ones to include in your lit review. Focus on studies that are relevant to your topic and meet any other inclusion criteria.  To determine whether an article is relevant to your project, you'll need to read it carefully and grasp the arguments presented. Take notes as you read, recording interesting facts, main points, and any thoughts you have about the article. This will help you remember which author made which arguments, your impressions of the article, and any relationships you identified between different sources. As you read, try to answer these questions:

• What is the main argument of the article?
• How does the author support their argument?
• What is the research question or objective of the study?
• What research methods were used, and were they appropriate for the research question?
• What were the main findings or results of the study?
• Were the results statistically significant, and were the conclusions supported by the data?
• Are there any limitations or weaknesses to the study that should be considered?
• Are the authors qualified to conduct this research?
• Are there any conflicts of interest or biases that may affect the study's findings?
• Is the article well-written and easy to understand?
• Are the sources cited in the article reliable and relevant to the topic?

Remember that you can only start to write your literature review after going through all your manuscripts. Therefore, creating a rough draft is essential as this gives you a general idea of the volume of available material available. While conducting a literature review, you must examine the quality of all sources critically. This typically entails using a checklist or table to evaluate aspects such as methods, results, and presentation. An example of a template to assess sources for a literature review is provided below. It contains questions and criteria that assist in locating bias, errors, or flaws. Template for Literature Evaluation

4. Group the Sources by Categories

To write a review of literature, you need to sort your sources. After reading and evaluating your articles, you should have a general idea of the main achievements, major debates, themes, trends, and outstanding issues/questions. The next step is to organize your sources into logical categories. Good research literature reviews are systematic and consistent. You may choose to arrange your sources by topic, research methodology , geographic location, or other relevant criteria. It's also helpful to use subheadings within each category to further organize your sources. As you group your sources, be sure to consider how they relate to one another and to the overall research question or topic. You may find that certain sources address multiple themes or issues. In this case you'll need to decide which category is the most appropriate for each source. Remember that the purpose of organizing your sources is to provide a clear and coherent structure for your literature review. By grouping your sources into logical categories, you make it easier for your readers to follow your arguments and understand the connections between different sources. Here is an example of how to group sources by categories.

5. Build Connection Between Your Ideas and the Literature

To complete this step of the literature review, you need to connect your research, arguments, or ideas to the texts you've gathered. Begin by using your research question to identify connections between your sources and insights into your findings. Match your key concepts with the central points in each article to establish associations between topics. Be aware that you may see differences or contradictions between readings. To ensure that you're ready to write your literature review, use your key concepts as headings in your notes to easily locate articles that address specific themes. Observe and make explicit the relationships that emerge between your arguments and the manuscripts. These connections will be useful when structuring your work and selecting the papers to include in your project.

6. Write a Literature Review

At this point, you can start a literature review because you have already synthesized relevant works in your mind and recorded the details. With that information in mind, it is time to begin composing the actual analysis and thoroughly creating each of the components of a literature review.  Initiate the process by highlighting your topic and your overall argument or view.  Just like any other academic essay , your project must be well-structured and contain an introduction, main part, and conclusion. Consider the following explanations on how to write a literature review for a dissertation, thesis, or research paper.

Literature Review Introduction

The introduction section should provide the necessary background information and clarify the purpose of your analysis.  Begin by broadly announcing the topic and providing contextual details of major concepts and terms, such as what is already known about the subject and how the field has developed. Next, provide specific and relevant information about the issue and explain why it is important or why readers should engage with your work. Finally, describe the organization, scope, and aim or highlight the key points that will be discussed. Look at the following example to see how you can write an introduction for a literature review. Literature Review Introduction Example

The concentration of carbon emissions has been increasing throughout the years. The amount was 290 ppm before the industrial revolution but rose to 450 ppm afterward (Block, 2019, Wbeltz, 2020). These changes will affect the global climate significantly by influencing mean temperatures and precipitation levels. In turn, this will put pressure on global agricultural production and affect the growth speed, crop quality, and yield of staple foods like wheat (Wbeltz, 2020). Since over 90% of people worldwide depend on this crop, it must survive any climate changes. Thus, the purpose of this review is to evaluate how carbon emissions will affect global wheat production and identify any mitigation measures. The paper will explore wheat growth, yield, and quality in the face of elevated carbon levels.

Lit Review Body

The body section of your literature review is where you analyze relevant studies related to your topic. It is essential to organize your analysis coherently and logically.  Identify important sub-topics and structuring them to support your arguments. Using subheadings under major themes can help to order and focus your work effectively.  While writing the body of your literature review, you should critically examine texts.  This involves recognizing gaps, points of agreement or disagreement, and key subjects.  You can structure this section chronologically, thematically, theoretically, or methodologically, depending on your research question and the nature of your sources. Remember to use reliable and accurate references to support your arguments. Consider this example: Example of a Literature Review Paper Body Section

Various studies show that elevated carbon emissions result in increased crop growth. Adams (2018) attributes this to improved photosynthesis in leaves when exposed to high carbon levels in the air. Other studies argue that carbon enriches crops, accelerates and amplifies their productivity, and causes improved growth (Hog, 2020). In an experimental study, Li (2019) compared crop growth under high carbon conditions and found that a 500 ppm level enhances growth by nearly 8%. Nevertheless, high carbon levels also result in other effects such as high temperatures (Daley, 2019). In turn, this leads to short growth periods or cycles. Thus, an increase in temperature while accelerating the time for growth adversely affects crop quality (Adams, 2020).

Literature Review Conclusion

The concluding section of a literature review should show how you addressed the topic or achieved your purpose. You should then mention the major arguments you examined before identifying their implications in the broader field. Remember to recommend any applicable future research. Also, keep in mind these things when writing your literature review conclusion:

• Avoid in-text citations.
• Do not include new information.
• Highlight main ideas raised in the body paragraphs.
• Give your general view of the studies and explain your conclusions and underlying reasons.

Here is a sample literature review conclusion. Literature Review Conclusion Example

The review aimed to explore the effect of elevated carbon levels on global wheat production. Assessments of effects on the crop’s growth, yield, and quality were conducted to understand how changes in climate due to increasing carbon emissions will affect global agriculture. Findings demonstrate a definite impact of these changes on the aforementioned aspects. In particular, elevated carbon levels lead to enhanced growth, shorter growth cycle, and low and poor quality yields. It is suggested that future studies should further explore the role of other factors such as soil health and fertilizer use in explaining these effects because modern agricultural techniques are considered to harm soil quality.

7. Proofread and Revise Your Review of Literature

Once you are done with reviewing your literature, give yourself some time off and then come back to edit it. Attend to its narrative and flow by ensuring that all parts fit together and transition smoothly from one paragraph to another. Improve any poor connections, revise to enhance clarity, or re-write sentences to eradicate construction mistakes. You can then give your scientific literature review to a colleague or friend, who is not an expert in the field, and ask their opinion about the message of your overall paper. Also, seek responses from your supervisor if possible. Use any feedback you get to better your project further. At this point, you understand how to do a lit review. Additional tips are provided below.

Literature Review Format

Besides following the aforementioned steps, you must also consider how to format a literature review. Be sure to check with your institution or target journal about style guidelines and the specific rules of your work’s layout.  Each style has instructions regarding the major sections, in-text citations, and a literature reference page.  For example, an APA paper format is based on an “author-date” approach, in which the author’s name and publication year are cited inside the document. A reference list is included on your paper’s last page. APA literature review format is dominant in the sciences, psychology, and education fields.  In contrast, an MLA format paper follows a “researcher-page number” style accompanied by works cited page, which is common in the humanities.  A Chicago style paper requires footnotes or endnotes with a bibliography section for all sources. It is mostly used in fine arts, history, and business disciplines.

Literature Review Examples

At this point, you are ready to start writing your review. Before proceeding, it is advisable to consider an example of literature review in a research paper, thesis or dissertation in your field. Thoroughly read the samples you find to get familiar with aspects such as organization, argument presentation, and referencing sources correctly. This is an effective way of learning ways of framing and structuring your work. Additionally, going through how to write a literature review example helps you understand what is expected in this task. Also, when reading these samples, pay attention to the academic language used. Look at the following free examples: Literature review example (APA 7th Edition)

Literature review for research paper example

Thesis/dissertation literature review example

Tips on Writing a Literature Review in Research

Now that you have a well-rounded idea about how to write a literature review, read the recommendation described here as they remind you of essential points. Before proceeding, remember that you should include sources that are associated with your work directly. This helps you avoid frustrating and distracting readers or making them lose sight of your purpose. Also, once you start writing your review, stick to the previously created outline and keep these tips in mind:

• Analyze Do not just list studies, rather, examine them critically to find similarities, differences, relationships, or contradictions.
• Time management Take your time to select a topic, gather literature, evaluate, read, and write. The last part should take about half of your time, while the remainder is for the other tasks.
• Revise Anticipate revising countless times before delivering a final version.
• Presentation A literature review in a research paper, thesis or dissertation must be specific and provide concrete examples. For example, rather than “this” use “this result”. First-person references should be avoided because they signal unsupported arguments. Everything written should have a reason. Also, use short paragraphs as they are easier to read. Additionally, structure your work with headings, subheadings, and subsections to make it flow.
• Paraphrase Avoid relying too much on quoting directly from sources or one researcher. Rather, paraphrase and compare authors between themselves and with your ideas.
• References Give credit to every outside idea or language by citing their work in your paper.

Literature Review Checklist

Now that you are through with composing your literature review, it is essential to be sure that your work is ready for delivery or publication. Therefore, you must take your time and reflect on the following questions to ensure that every section is covered thoroughly. Consider this final checklist:

• checkbox I stated the reason for conducting my project and outlined its scope.
• checkbox I chose relevant and credible studies.
• checkbox I have identified recent trends.
• checkbox I have logically presented a review of literature in my research paper or dissertation.
• checkbox I organized my information based on themes/issues/methods/theories.
• checkbox I have located gaps in research and literature.
• checkbox I displayed how details supporting a topic relate to its significance.
• checkbox I wrote my literature review critically.
• checkbox I have demonstrated instances when findings contradicted each other or were inconclusive.
• checkbox I explored designs, theories, questions, models, and hypotheses.
• checkbox I highlighted each source’s importance to my theme.
• checkbox I have included an introduction, body, and conclusion.
• checkbox I have checked for grammatical issues.

Final Thoughts on Writing a Scientific Literature Review

We have provided you with all the necessary information on how to write a review of literature. Follow our step-by-step guide to identify the right keywords, evaluate sources, and select credible and relevant articles. Make sure to structure your writing clearly and logically using the key components of a literature review that we have outlined for you.  To help you further, we have included examples of literature reviews for you to check. With these simplified requirements, you are ready to start practicing and creating your own literature reviews. Remember, practice is essential to mastering this type of writing, so keep it up!

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FAQ About Literature Reviews

1. what is a literature review in a research paper.

The literature review of a research paper is a type of academic essay that analyzes and evaluates previous or existing studies on a topic. It aims to survey readings, synthesize, and digest the obtained information. It also critically explores the data by identifying gaps in knowledge, demonstrating limitations in manuscripts, examining contradictions, and determining areas for additional research. The final piece is presented logically.

2. Where does a literature review go in a research paper?

A literature review generally comes after an introduction and before the methodology chapter of dissertations. Here, it is used to analyze relevant scholarship about a topic, ground your research paper in a specific field, and inform your data collection methods and analysis procedures.

3. How to start a literature review?

Start a literature review by describing the background of what you will analyze in your body paragraphs. There is no need to be comprehensive here. Rather, show that you clearly understand your paper’s scope. In particular, begin by conveying the established ideas and knowledge on the subject being explored to your audience.

4. What is the difference between a literature review and an annotated bibliography?

The main difference between the two is that literature reviews focus on providing an overview and analysis of existing research on a particular theme. They aim to identify the strengths and weaknesses of arguments and draw conclusions. In contrast, the purpose of an annotated bibliography is to collect sources for a specific project and offer summaries of what they are about.

5. What is the importance of a literature review?

A literature review is important because:

• It establishes a rapport with your readers They will trust you because you have examined and analyzed facts appropriately.
• Helps researchers deliver original work The entire process of conducting the assessment assists you to evade repeating something done by someone else.
• It improves your research focus Synthesizing and analyzing studies can guide and shape your investigation in new directions by providing novel insights and views on a theme.

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