Write a Literature Review
Take a step-by-step approach to writing a lit review.
What Will You Do Differently?
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Introduction
Literature reviews take time. Here is some general information to know before you start.
- VIDEO -- This video is a great overview of the entire process. (2020; North Carolina State University Libraries)
--The transcript is included
--This is for everyone; ignore the mention of "graduate students"
--9.5 minutes, and every second is important
- OVERVIEW -- Read this page from Purdue's OWL. It's not long, and gives some tips to fill in what you just learned from the video.
- NOT A RESEARCH ARTICLE -- A literature review follows a different style, format, and structure from a research article.
| Lit Review Article | Research Article | |
| Does What? | Reports on the work of others. | Reports on original research. |
| Purpose | To examine and evaluate previous literature. |
To test a hypothesis and/or make an argument. May include a short literature review to introduce the subject. |
Steps to Completing a Literature Review
FindConduct searches for relevant information.
EvaluateCritically review your sources.
SummarizeDetermine the most important and relevant information from each source, theories, findings, etc.
SynthesizeCreate a synthesis matrix to find connections between resources, and ensure your sources relate to your main ideas.
IntegrateUse the synthesis matrix to organize your literature review. Integrate the individual main ideas to put together the state of knowledge related to your topic.