What Is a Literature Review?

A literature review is a critical evaluation of existing research on your topic. Its purpose is to:

  • Identify what is already known
  • Identify gaps, contradictions, or debates in the existing literature
  • Position your own research relative to previous work

Step 1: Define Your Scope

Before you start searching, define the boundaries of your review. What time period? Which geographic regions? Which disciplines or sub-fields? Narrow scope = deeper synthesis. Broad scope = surface-level summary.

Step 2: Search Systematically

Use academic databases: Google Scholar, JSTOR, PubMed, Scopus, or your university library system. Use Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to refine searches. Start with broad terms, then narrow down.

Step 3: Evaluate Sources Critically

Not all sources are equal. Ask: Is the journal peer-reviewed? Is the methodology sound? How recent is the study? Has it been cited by other scholars? A highly-cited study from a reputable journal carries more weight than an old unpublished working paper.

Step 4: Take Structured Notes

For each source, note: the main argument/findings, the methodology used, the theoretical framework, limitations acknowledged by the authors, and how it connects to your research question.

Step 5: Identify Themes and Patterns

Do not organise your review by summarising one paper at a time. Instead, identify recurring themes, debates, or methodological approaches across multiple papers and organise your review around those themes.

Step 6: Synthesise, Don't Summarise

The key difference between a good and a poor literature review is synthesis. Instead of "Smith (2018) found X. Jones (2020) found Y," write: "While Smith (2018) found X, subsequent research by Jones (2020) challenged this, suggesting Y β€” a tension that remains unresolved in the field."

Common Mistakes

  • Including every paper you read rather than the most relevant ones
  • Failing to link the literature to your own research question
  • Not identifying the gaps that your study will address
  • Treating the literature review as a separate section rather than a foundation for your argument