How to Write a Literature Review: A Comprehensive Guide

A literature review is an essential component of academic writing, particularly in fields like research,
academia, and scholarly publications. It involves a critical evaluation and synthesis of existing
literature on a particular topic. However, crafting a literature review can be a daunting task for many
individuals due to its complexity and the level of analysis required. In this guide, we will discuss the
key steps involved in writing a literature review and provide valuable tips to help you navigate
through this process effectively.

Understanding the Purpose of a Literature Review

Before delving into the specifics of writing a literature review, it's crucial to understand its purpose.
A literature review serves several purposes, including:

1. Providing an overview of existing research and scholarship on a specific topic.

2. Identifying gaps, inconsistencies, or controversies in the literature.
3. Offering insights into the evolution of ideas and theories within a particular field.
4. Establishing the relevance and significance of your research within the broader scholarly
context.

Key Steps in Writing a Literature Review

1. Define Your Research Question: Clearly articulate the research question or topic that your
literature review will address. This will help you focus your search and analysis on relevant
sources.
2. Conduct a Comprehensive Literature Search: Use academic databases, libraries, and online
resources to search for relevant literature related to your topic. Be sure to use a combination
of keywords, Boolean operators, and advanced search techniques to locate relevant sources.
3. Evaluate and Analyze Sources: Critically evaluate the credibility, relevance, and significance
of each source you encounter. Pay attention to the methodology, key findings, and theoretical
frameworks used in the literature.
4. Organize Your Literature Review: Structure your literature review in a coherent and logical
manner. Common organizational frameworks include chronological, thematic, and theoretical
approaches.
5. Synthesize and Analyze the Literature: Identify common themes, trends, and debates within
the literature. Synthesize the findings from various sources to develop a comprehensive
understanding of the topic.
6. Provide Critical Insights and Commentary: Offer your own critical analysis and
interpretation of the literature. Highlight connections, contradictions, and gaps in the existing
research.
7. Write Clearly and Concisely: Ensure that your literature review is well-written, coherent, and
free from grammatical errors. Use clear and concise language to communicate your ideas
effectively.
8. Cite Your Sources Properly: Accurately cite all the sources referenced in your literature
review using the appropriate citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago). Be consistent with
your citation format throughout the document.

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Utilize reputable academic databases for literature searches like Google Scholar or your university's
library resources. APA Abstract s are placed after the Title Page before the Introduction. This is what
will motivate people to read your paper. In these cases as well, the abstract should include all of the
major elements of your paper, including an introduction, hypothesis, methods, results, and
discussion. A literature review is a comprehensive examination and analysis of existing literature and
scholarly works on a specific subject or research topic. Writing Abstracts for a Literature Review in
APA Format Empirical study Theory-oriented Methodological Case study A literature review paper
is one you'll be asked to write frequently, as many times, there is not enough time in a class setting to
complete extensive research. Note, student papers do not require a running head. It should accurately
reflect what your paper is about. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and
the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. It should succinctly and accurately
represent what your paper is about and what the reader can expect to find. As the author, you have
the option of presenting your abstract in either paragraph format or structured format. Interpretations
and conclusion(s): solidify the implications of the research. The introduction gives brief details about
what your topic is all about. Summarize and discuss the sources according to their date of
publication, to show how trends and concepts in your field have evolved and changed with time.
Against functionalist and formalist accounts, I defend and develop an account of expressive-
responsive movement as the primary perceptual sense of animals. Use of this site constitutes
acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use. Reread your review to catch mistakes in sentence
mechanics, grammar, and spelling. There should be no “extra” words in an abstract; it’s all about
getting the point across as efficiently as possible. For example, if you are writing your paper in APA
style, read the literature review guidelines online so that you know how to properly format your
paper. Adapted from Creswell, J. W. (1994). Research Design: Qualitative and Quantitative. APA
Sample Paper Note: This page reflects the latest version of the APA Publication Manual (i.e., APA 7),
which released in October 2019. In your review, summarize 40 to 50 different sources in a way that
provides an analysis of their strengths. How to Write an Abstract in APA: 14 Steps (with Pictures)
Keep it short. Thematic Organization Group related studies by themes rather than chronology.
Keywords: books, digital books, e-paper, reading comprehension, cognition Tanner, M. J. (2014).
Digital vs. print: Reading comprehension and the future of the book. What Is APA Format? APA
format is the official style of the American Psychological Association. I explore the Western Body
Positivity movement, the effects of the United States’ hegemonic beauty ideologies, and my
experiences as a white, fat woman alongside Shrill. Specificity: Your keywords should be specific to
your research. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain
word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. The historic development and subsequent
“feminization” of librarianship continues to influence the gender wage gap and the disproportionate
leadership bias in the field today.
Here are the qualities of a good abstract as defined by APA. Each of your subheadings will begin a
section of your lit review that contains methodologically or chronologically similar lit sources.
Because keywords help people find your paper, it is essential to choose the right ones. Before you
begin writing, check the guidelines specified by your department or university. For example, suppose
your paper is about the effects of climate change on bird migration patterns in a specific region. Note
how the first line is not indented like a normal paragraph. Also, a literature review sets the stage for
and JOURNAL Download Free PDF View PDF The Literature Review: A Few Tips On Conducting
It What is a review of the literature Rebekka Tunombili Download Free PDF View PDF Writing an
Effective Literature Review Amanda Bolderston A literature review can be an informative, critical,
and useful synthesis of a particular topic. Qualities of a good abstract In addition to the formatting
requirements, the Publication Manual also provides some guidance on what other qualities make for
a good abstract. APA style is a method of formatting and documentation used by the American
Psychological Association. Women who are diagnosed with breast cancer can experience an array of
psychosocial difficulties; however, social support, particularly from a spouse, has been shown to have
a protective function during this time. Labeled with a bold, center-justified “Abstract” at the top It is
important to note that some publications will have their own instructions on how to format the
abstract. For more advice from our academic co-author, including how to research formatting
guidelines, read on. The abstract for a literature review should contain: A description of your
purpose for covering the research topic Your thesis statement A description of the sources used in the
review Your conclusions based on the findings Psychology lab reports Psychology lab reports are
part of the experiment report category. Such keywords are used when indexing your paper in
databases and can help researchers and students locate your paper when searching for information
about those topics. Implications of these findings are discussed relative to assisting couples during
this difficult time in their lives. I explore the Western Body Positivity movement, the effects of the
United States’ hegemonic beauty ideologies, and my experiences as a white, fat woman alongside
Shrill. Moxley Explore the different ways to cite sources in academic and professional writing,
including in-text (Parenthetical), numerical, and note citations. Avoid the following in an APA
abstract: Jargon, acronyms, or abbreviations Citations. Explanatory variables were measured at the
individual and school levels at baseline, along with a teacher-reported measure of behavior
difficulties (assessed at baseline and the 18-month follow-up). 3) The Results One or two sentences
indicating the main findings or trends found as a result of your analysis. Does it agree with what we
already know, add new info, or challenge what we thought. Sample papers The sample papers show
the format that authors should use to submit a manuscript for publication in a professional journal
and that students should use to submit a paper to an instructor for a course assignment. Give it a
Once-Over Find out what's good and not-so-good about the research. She is majorly involved in
developing and reviewing online content plans that engage and resonate with audiences.
Additionally, verify the accuracy and consistency of citations and references based on the chosen
citation style (e.g., APA, MLA). This comprehensive revision process guarantees a polished and well-
structured literature review. Conduct the comparisons and analysis of the literature, proving readable
and understandable points of view. Now, let's explore some examples of literature reviews that can
assist you in crafting your own. In this overview, emphasize the topic's importance, identify recent
research, and clarify how that research applies to the body of your dissertation. If your paper is about
a new method, ask yourself what the advantages of the new method are and how well it works. If
you need a way to provide more structure in each sub-section of the lit review, look at the dates of
publication for the sources you’re summarizing and analyzing. Spend time writing this section
carefully to ensure maximum readability and clarity.
Another key element is whether your research is based on primary or secondary sources. By
continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. It provides a framework for the entire
literature review. It would be impractical to devote a paragraph in your lit review to each individual
source. The APA suggests including between three and five keywords. For each source that you read,
include a citation, a descriptive paragraph of the source, and a brief evaluation of the content. Your
APA abstract should give them a condensed version of your conclusions. Develop a helpful system
for yourself and stick with it. Demonstrate how each piece of research contributes to the overall
understanding of your chosen topic. Unlock the Secrets of a Stellar Literature Review for Your
Research Paper! Embar. Accurate: The most important thing is that your abstract accurately reflects
the contents and purpose of your paper. Briefly describe the implications and importance of your
findings. You can also point out any further research that is needed concerning this topic. Of course,
you’ll need to summarize the sources enough for your committee to understand what they’re about.
The introduction of your review needs to do 3 things. Ensure that your ideas flow logically, and use
clear language to communicate complex concepts. Whether it’s for a college essay or a survey
project, we’ve got templates that can help you write down the literature review without hassle.
DoctoralNet Limited Review of literature Review of literature JomilyJoyson1 WRITING
LITERATURE REVIEW.pptx WRITING LITERATURE REVIEW.pptx claudiatyrone 3. Now
equipped with the essential steps to start your literature review, you're set on the right path. It gives
readers a clear overview of what the paper is about and what it intends to prove. Experimental or lab
report abstracts An abstract for an experimental or lab report needs to communicate the key purpose
and findings of the experiment. The keywords should be lowercase, unless the keyword is a proper
noun. Thus, we designed a healthy coping mechanism to help USF students deal with depression,
anxiety, and stress: dog therapy. Are you ready to write the overview for your study? 8. In the
introduction, you also need to state why this literature should be reviewed. The purpose of your
abstract is to provide a brief yet thorough overview of your paper. Make sure you are aware of the
following questions: How many sources should be included. This article examines the stereotyping
of librarians and the cyclical effect of genderizing the profession. Beyond our goal to create a
successful business through incorporation of modern technology, we seek to serve quality products in
reusable and biodegradable cups. In your review, summarize 40 to 50 different sources in a way that
provides an analysis of their strengths.