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
