Date: 13^th November 2012

Week 03 : Day 01

Literature review

What is Literature review?

An overview of research on a given topic and answers to related research questions and what other researchers have done so far. According to the University of Canberra (2012), "description of the literature relevant to a particular field or topic. This is often written as part of a postgraduate thesis proposal, or at the commencement of a thesis. A critical literature review is a critical assessment of the relevant literature". It has an introduction, body and logical structure."A literature review is a critical, in-depth evaluation of research already undertaken on a specific topic" (University College Dublin, 2011).
The introduction of a literature review is identifying the issues in general regarding the topic including theory, proof, pros and cons. The writer's point of view is also analysed in the review. A good review includes a line of argument and research for facts that supports the argument in a short paragraph.

Steps to write a strong literature review

• Synthesis and evaluate information - requires reading, gathering information to synthesize and evaluate by coming up with new ideas and provide further explanation. Ex. What is technique A, Results of A

• Identify the main ideas of the literature - conducting the synthesis you will identify related ideas and key points to the research question. Further on these ideas can be discussed in depth in the latter parts of the review giving examples.

• Identify the main argument of the literature review - The literature review should deliver to people a main idea that helps them understand. According to University of Ottawa (2007), "This argument is closely related to your research question in that it presents a situation in the body of literature which motivates your research question". 

• Organize the main points of the literature review - Once all the ideas and facts are gathered, organize them point by point in a way that supports the main argument.

• Write literature review - Now that all points are gathered it is up to the author to compile it all together and by giving structure, examples where unnecessary and citing them, using the correct verb tenses will help to make the literature review much stronger.

(Academic Writing Help Centre. University of Ottawa, 2007)

According to the University of California (2012) a literature review must contain certain elements. A summary of the selected topic along with the listed objectives. Explanation of similar work of the topic and how it is different from other related material. Conclusions are given by selecting the best argument giving opinions and ideas for development. 

Purpose of writing a literature review

• Shows that the author is familiar with other research work done in the same area
• Evaluated further into the research based on the topic
• defines key points, and definitions (RMIT University, 2005)

Referred books/websites  

UCD Library (2011) Write a literature review

[Online] Available from: http://www.ucd.ie/library/supporting_you/research_support/literature_review/

University of Canberra (2012) Study skills: Writing literature

[Online] Available from: http://www.canberra.edu.au/studyskills/writing/literature

Birmingham City University (2007) What is a literature review?
[Online] Available from: http://www.ssdd.bcu.ac.uk/learner/writingguides/1.04.htm

University of California Santa Cruz (2012)
[Online] Available from: http://guides.library.ucsc.edu/write-a-literature-review

RMIT University (2005)

[Online] Available from: https://www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/lsu/content/2_assessmenttasks/assess_tuts/lit_review_LL/purpose.html

University of Ottawa (2007) Academic Writing Help Centre. Writing a literature review

[Online] Available from: http://www.sass.uottawa.ca/writing/kit/grad-literature-review.pdf