Literature review

Rina K KusumaratnaDept of Public Health,

Faculty of Medicine, Trisakti University

A literature review

• a review of the writings, or literature, on a particular subject / topic

• a review of the most relevant, recent and scholarly work in the subject / topic area

• a piece of writing that supports, evaluates and critiques your research topic.

• The focus of a literature review to summarize and synthesize the arguments and

ideas of others without adding new contributions.

What a literature review is not

• A literature review is not just a summary of articles, texts or journals.

• A literature review is not an analytical, opinionative or argumentative essay.

Why do we write literature reviews?

• Provide you with a handy guide to a particular topic. If you have limited time to conduct research, literature reviews can give you an overview or act as a stepping stone.

• For professionals keep them up to date with what is current in the field.

• For scholars, the depth and breadth of the literature review emphasizes the credibility of the writer in his or her field.

• Also provide a solid background for a research paper's investigation.

The purpose of a literature review

• Establish a theoretical framework for your topic / subject area

• Define key terms, definitions and terminology • Identify studies, models, case studies etc

supporting your topic • Define / establish your area of study, ie. your

research topic.

The three key points of a literature review

• Tell what the research says (theory). • Tell how the research was carried out

(methodology). • Tell what is missing, ie the gap that your

research intends to fill.

'Literature' can include a range of sources

• journal articles• monographs• computerized databases• conferences proceedings• dissertations• empirical studies• government reports and reports from other bodies• historical records• statistical handbooks.

Structuring & planning your writing : Mindmaps a visual map of a number key ideas in

the order to place in your literature review.

Format writing

• Like all academic writing at least three basic elements: 1. An introduction or background information

section;2. The body of the review containing the

discussion of sources; 3. Finally, a conclusion and/or recommendations

section to end the paper.

The Introduction include

• the nature of the topic under discussion• the parameters of the topic (what does it

include and exclude)? • the basis for your selection of the literature

The Conclusion include:

• A summary of major agreements and disagreements in the literature

• A summary of general conclusions that are being drawn.

• A summary of where your thesis sits in the literature

The Body paragraphs include

• Historical background, including classic texts; • Current mainstream versus alternative theoretical or

ideological viewpoints, • Possible approaches to the subject (empirical,

philosophical, historical, postmodernist, etc); • Definitions in use; • Current research studies; • Current discoveries about the topic; • Principal questions that are being asked; • General conclusions that are being drawn; • Methodologies and methods in use;

Good luck