How to Write a Literature Review in 5 Simple Steps

Introduction

• A literature review is a critical summary of existing research on a topic.
• Don't need to panic; it's easier than you think.
• Presented by Jessica from Scribbr.
• Further videos available for deeper dives into each step.

Step 1: Search for Relevant Literature

• Definition: Literature refers to academic sources like books or journal articles.
• Scholarly Databases: Google Scholar, JSTOR, Science Direct.
• Search Techniques: Use keywords with Boolean operators to refine search results.

Step 2: Evaluate and Select Sources

• Volume of Reading: You can't read everything, especially if the topic is broad.
• Abstracts: Read abstracts to determine relevance.
• Bibliography: Scan bibliographies for other relevant sources.
• Citation Count: Pay attention to citation counts on Google Scholar as an indicator of importance.

Step 3: Identify Themes, Debates, and Gaps

• Take Notes: Note connections between different sources.
• Look for:
  • Trends and patterns in theory, method, or results
  • Themes
  • Debates or contradictions
  • Influential studies
  • Gaps in the literature

Step 4: Outline Your Literature Review’s Structure

• Approaches to Structure:
  • Chronological: From older to more recent publications
  • Thematic: Organized around key themes
  • Methodological: Compare different research methods across studies
  • Theoretical: Discuss opposing theories or models

Step 5: Write the Literature Review

• Components: Introduction, main body, and conclusion.
• Main Body: Summarize and synthesize sources.

Conclusion

• Ready to start your literature review!
• More detailed videos available in a playlist.