Name: Nguyễn Như Quỳnh

ID: BTCEIU20040

Title: How to Write a Literature Review

Introduction:
A literature review is a critical summary and assessment of the current knowledge on a topic
based on academic sources. It is an important step in research as it synthesizes previous work
and provides context for a new study. This review will discuss what a literature review is, why it
is conducted, where to find sources, and the step-by-step process of performing a literature
review. It will also provide tips for writing an effective literature review.
What is a Literature Review?
A literature review surveys scholarly articles, books, dissertations and other sources relevant to a
particular area of research (Galvan, 2017). It provides an overview of current thinking on a topic
and demonstrates the researcher's knowledge of the field. Literature reviews are not just
summaries of sources but include a critical analysis comparing and contrasting different theories
and findings. They situate the current study within the context of previous research.
Why Conduct a Literature Review?
There are several key reasons researchers perform literature reviews (Galvan, 2017):
- To survey the current state of knowledge on a topic
- To identify key authors, articles, theories, and findings in an area
- To identify gaps, inconsistencies, and controversies needing further study
- To provide context and background for a new study
- To demonstrate knowledge of the field and scholarly authority
- To justify how a new study contributes to existing knowledge
Where to Find Sources for a Literature Review?
Academic sources for literature reviews include:
- Scholarly journal articles - locate through academic databases like JSTOR, Sage, Wiley, etc.
- Books - search library catalogues and Google Scholar
- Dissertations - databases like ProQuest Dissertations & Theses
- Conference papers - indexes like IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library
- Government reports - online repositories
- Review articles - provide excellent overviews of the literature
How to Conduct a Literature Review: Step-by-Step
1. Determine scope and focus - choose a specific aspect or perspective to concentrate on.
2. Search academic databases and other sources to identify relevant literature. Keep track of
citations.
3. Thoroughly read and evaluate sources - assess their credibility, methods, findings. Take notes.
4. Organize sources by themes, methodology, chronology - categorize and synthesize studies.
5. Write your literature review - summarize sources, compare findings, critique methods, note
gaps.
6. Use proper citations and formatting - cite sources within text and provide references.
Important Tips for Writing an Effective Literature Review
- Maintain a focused research question to guide the review - Don't try to cover too much; stay
focused on your topic.
- Search and select relevant sources carefully - Use academic databases, follow citations, consult
experts to find quality, pertinent sources.
- Critically appraise sources - Evaluate methods, limitations, biases, credibility of each source.
- Synthesize material thematically - Identify key themes, comparisons, relationships between
sources.
- Use summary and paraphrase - Avoid excessive direct quotation. Summarize key points
concisely.
- Analyze and interpret findings - Compare and contrast different authors' views on an issue.
Critique conclusions.
- Identify gaps and inconsistencies - Note where literature is contradictory or lacks information.
- Situate your research in the context of the review - Explain how your study builds on and
advances current knowledge.
- Use proper citations and writing style - Cite sources in text and reference list using consistent
academic formatting.
- Plan structure carefully - Organize logically with introduction, body, and conclusion. Use
transitions between ideas.
- Allow sufficient time for reading, evaluating, synthesizing sources - Literature reviews require
thoroughness.
- Get feedback on drafts - Peer review helps refine focus, structure, clarity, flow.