How to Write a Literature Review

Noor Md Rahmatullah
 1. Introduction
What is a literature review?
 a literature review surveys scholarly articles, books
and other sources (e.g. dissertations, conference
proceedings) relevant to a particular issue, area of
research, or theory, providing a description,
summary, and critical evaluation of each work.
 The purpose is to offer an overview of significant
Literature published on a topic.
 Not to be confused with a book review.

Prof. Noor Md Rahmatullah, Sher-e-Bangla

2/19/2021 2
Agricultural University, Dhaka
 Why do a literature review?

The Literature Review allows you to:

 provide details about the motivation for the project
 state why the problem addressed by the dissertation is
important
 set the scene for the work described in the dissertation
 describe what others have done and hence sets a
benchmark for the current project
 justify the use of specific solution techniques or
problem solving procedures in your work

Prof. Noor Md Rahmatullah, Sher-e-Bangla

2/19/2021 3
Agricultural University, Dhaka
 2. Purpose/aim of literature review
Specifically, the Literature Review should be used to:
 Place each work in the context of its contribution to the
understanding of the subject under review
 Describe the relationship of each work to the others under
consideration
 Identify new ways to interpret, and shed light on any gaps in,
previous research
 Resolve conflicts amongst seemingly contradictory previous
studies
 Identify areas of prior scholarship to prevent duplication of
effort
 Point the way forward for further research
 Place one's original work in the context of existing literature
Prof. Noor Md Rahmatullah, Sher-e-Bangla
2/19/2021 4
Agricultural University, Dhaka
3. Components of literature review
Similar to primary research, development of the literature
review requires four stages:
• 3.1 Problem formulation —which topic or field is being
examined and what are its component issues?
• 3.2 Literature search —finding materials relevant to
the subject being explored
• 3.3 Data evaluation —determining which literature
makes a significant contribution to the understanding
of the topic
• 3.4 Analysis and interpretation—discussing the
findings and conclusions of pertinent literature
Prof. Noor Md Rahmatullah, Sher-e-Bangla
2/19/2021 5
Agricultural University, Dhaka
 3.1 Problem formulation
 Formulate objectives of the project.
 Develop three to four research questions
which will be answered.
 State how these questions might be
addressed.

Prof. Noor Md Rahmatullah, Sher-e-Bangla

2/19/2021 6
Agricultural University, Dhaka
 3.2 Literature search
 Create list of keywords and search terms
 Do not rely solely on internet sources
 Use library facilities

Prof. Noor Md Rahmatullah, Sher-e-Bangla

2/19/2021 7
Agricultural University, Dhaka
 3.3 Data evaluation
Consideration should be given to:
 Provenance—What are the author's credentials? Are the
author's arguments supported by evidence (e.g. primary
historical material, case studies, narratives, statistics, recent
scientific findings)?
 Objectivity—Is the author's perspective even-handed or
prejudicial? Is contrary data considered or is certain
pertinent information ignored to prove the author's point?
 Persuasiveness—Which of the author's theses are
most/least convincing?
 Value—Are the author's arguments and conclusions
convincing? Does the work ultimately contribute in any
significant way to an understanding of the subject?

Prof. Noor Md Rahmatullah, Sher-e-Bangla

2/19/2021 8
Agricultural University, Dhaka
 4. Structure of a Literature Review
The Literature Review should contain the
following:
– Introduction
– Body
– Conclusions

Prof. Noor Md Rahmatullah, Sher-e-Bangla

2/19/2021 9
Agricultural University, Dhaka
 4.1 Introduction
Define or identify the general topic, issue or
area of concern
Point out overall trends in what has already
been published
Establish your point of view for reviewing the
literature
Indicate the organisation of the review.

Prof. Noor Md Rahmatullah, Sher-e-Bangla

2/19/2021 10
Agricultural University, Dhaka
 4.2 Body
Group research studies and other relevant
literature according to a common theme
Summarise each item of the literature
appropriately according to its significance
Compare and evaluate each item.
Provide topic sentences at the beginning of
paragraphs and summary sentences at the
end of sections to help the reader understand
what the main issues are.
Prof. Noor Md Rahmatullah, Sher-e-Bangla
2/19/2021 11
Agricultural University, Dhaka
 4.2 Body (Cont’d)
• Typically begin with abroad overview of
general subject area.
• Progress to more detailed examination of
particular issues.
• Finally, move to complex, detailed review of a
small number of essential topics.
• Examination of these topics will provide
justification for your proposed primary
research
Prof. Noor Md Rahmatullah, Sher-e-Bangla
2/19/2021 12
Agricultural University, Dhaka
 4.3 Conclusions
• Summarise the literature maintaining the focus
presented in the introduction
• Evaluate the current "state of the art", pointing
out gaps in the literature, inconsistencies and
issues that are important for future study
• Conclude by giving some insight in to the
relationship between your topic and a larger area
of study or area of professional practice.
• NEVER include any new material in your
conclusions!! (It must have been presented
earlier).
Prof. Noor Md Rahmatullah, Sher-e-Bangla
2/19/2021 13
Agricultural University, Dhaka
 5. Referencing
ALL material (apart from original material)
MUST be referenced.
Use a minimum of 25–30 references in
Literature Review
Minimum of 15 of these must be peer-reviewed
(i.e. journals, books, guidance documents,
national standards, etc.)

Prof. Noor Md Rahmatullah, Sher-e-Bangla

2/19/2021 14
Agricultural University, Dhaka
 6. Critically Reading Technical Papers
6.1 Who?
Authors, Affiliations
6.2 When?
Date of Publication
6.3 What?
What problem was addressed?
6.4 Why?
What is the relevance?
Reason for investigation
Background information, Existing knowledge
Prof. Noor Md Rahmatullah, Sher-e-Bangla
2/19/2021 15
Agricultural University, Dhaka
 6. Critically Reading Technical Papers
6.5 How?
Methodology Employed, Sample size, Test Conditions,
Apparatus, Etc.
6.6 And?
What did the results show?
6.7 So What?
What are the implications?
Are findings unique?
Are they supported by other work?
Do they offer knowledge advances?

Prof. Noor Md Rahmatullah, Sher-e-Bangla

2/19/2021 16
Agricultural University, Dhaka
 7. Summary/Conclusions
1) Introduction
2) Purpose of a Literature Review
3) Components of a Literature Review
4) Structure of a Literature Review
5) Referencing
6) Critically Reading Technical Papers

Prof. Noor Md Rahmatullah, Sher-e-Bangla

2/19/2021 17
Agricultural University, Dhaka