Literature Review

What is a literature review?

A literature review is a critical evaluation of material within a subject area. It can be a standalone assignment or a chapter in a research project.  It should describe, summarise, analyse, critically evaluate and synthesise material from different sources within your subject.  A literature review should also illustrate how your research relates to the existing literature within the field.  The key difference between literature review and other academic assignments you may have completed is how information is used and synthesised to support your research.

Why do a literature review?

Whether your literature review is for a standalone assignment, a research proposal or as part of a research project. It can help to;

• Increase your knowledge of a subject by allowing you to explore information on that subject
• Help you to find the major works, authors or researchers within a field
• Identify major theories within a field
• Follow the developments and debates within a specific field
• Highlight the relationships between existing studies or theories

In addition, researchers will be able to;

• Identify gaps in the existing knowledge or current research
• Outline key concepts and trends in the current literature
• Prevent duplication and prove originality
• Identify major debates/controversies
• Justify your research
• Illustrate where your research fits into the current body of knowledge (contextualize)
• Point the way towards future research
• Identify suitable methodologies and methods for your research