What is a Literature Review?

A literature review is essentially an analysis or synopsis of a collection of scholarly material.

You should focus your review on a specific topic, issue, research method, area or theory.
Literature for the purposes of review may include journal articles, books or theses completed at
an Honours, Masters or Doctoral level.
More Information
A literature review includes an analysis of the literature. This can include examination of an area
of research, a particular issue, concept or theory. The analysis should include a critical evaluation
of significant literature in your chosen area. You may analyse areas including distinguish
features or points or view in the literature. Your analysis may include highlighting weaknesses
within the literature or need for additional research.
If you are writing your literature review as a part of larger piece of work your literature review
should demonstrate your knowledge in the area you have chosen. The review should also assist
you in in developing your own ideas on the area and show where your research fits into the
material already produced.
Remember to always consult with your research supervisor or lecturer about requirements for
your particular literature review.

Literature Review Process

The process can be broken down into 6 steps as explained in The Literature Review: Six Steps
to Success by Lawrence A. Machi and Brenda T. McEvoy, page 5, as demonstrated below.

Lawrence A. Machi and Brenda T. McEvoy, 2nd ed., The Literature Review: Six Steps
to Success (California: Corwin, 2012), 5.
Image by Charles Darwin University http://libguides.cdu.edu.au/literaturereview