Literature Reviews: Home

Good scholarship involves:

• Connecting ideas, theories, experience
• Applying method/methodology to different areas
• Creating new synthesis or insight
• Re-examining existing knowledge

An essential means toward this end is the literature review. The review is the foundation for the research:

“A literature review is an objective, thorough summary and critical analysis of the relevant available research and non-research literature on the topic being studied.” (Cronin, Ryan, & Coughlan, 2008)

The purpose of the literature review is to:

• Demonstrate skills in library searching
• Show command of the subject area and understanding of the problem
• Justify the research topic, design and methodology
• Bring the reader up-to-date with current literature on a topic
• Justification for future research in the area

Other reasons for conducting a literature review:

• Assignment for an academic course
• Update current personal knowledge
• Evaluate current practices
• Develop and update guidelines for practice
• Develop work-related policies
• Develop a theory or conceptual framework
• Update curricula

What makes a good literature review?

• Gathers from many sources
• It is well written
• Contains few if any personal biases
• Contain a clear search and selection strategy
• Good structuring to enhance the flow and readability
• Accurate use of terminology
• Jargon kept to a minimum
• Accurate referencing

This LibGuide was created using a guide created by Gerald Natal from the Mulford Health Sciences Library at the University of Toledo.  Mr Natal did a phenomenal job compiling the information and he graciously allowed me to use his content.