Writing a Literature Review

What is a Literature Review?

 It is a text of a scholarly paper or an explanation of the current state

of knowledge on a topic found in academic books and journal
articles.
 There are two kinds of literature reviews:
 Stand-alone assignment
 Part of an introduction to, or preparation for, a longer work,
usually a thesis or research report.
 What is the purpose of the Literature Review?

 Provides easy access to research by selecting high quality

articles
 Provides a starting point of research by summarizing,
evaluating and comparing original research in a particular
area
 Provides an insight into previous scholarly research in a
particular area
 It identifies research gaps
 Steps to writing a Literature review
 Find a working topic – what interests you??
 Review the Literature – journals, books, reports
 Often reference list of articles can lead to valuable papers
 Include studies contrary to your point of view
 Focus on your topic and find papers accordingly: Choose an area of research
 Read the papers thoroughly and critically evaluate them
 Organise the papers by looking for patterns
 Common findings
 Important trends
 Some popular theories
 Develop a working thesis : summarize the trends and developments you see in
the research
 Organise your own paper by reading articles and looking for patterns in them
 Write the body of the paper : ensure logical connection between paragraphs
 Look at what you have written: Analyse it
 Look for topic sentences
 Ensure literature review is written in an analytical manner
 Rather than writing the statement like Sen (2000) concludes that……it is
encouraged that you frame the sentence as: After analysing the paper it can be
seen that Sen (2000) was of the opinion…..
 Give finishing touches to your paper
 Revise and edit your work
 Check for grammatical errors
 Make sure you write the paper in your words and any
sources are properly acknowledged in a universally
followed reference format
 Structure of a Literature Review
 2.0 Literature review
Introduction
 2.1 Introduction
 2.2 Definition of key terms
 2.2.1 Term 1
 Include at least 2-3 direct quotes from scholars
 No need to elaborate the definition
 Conclude a common definition based on definitions of authors
 2.2.2 Term 2
 2.3 Theoretical frameworks
Body
 Diagrammatic presentation of frameworks preferred
 2.4 Previous Studies: Heading 1
 Related to objectives
 2.5. Previous Studies: Heading 2
 Related to objectives
 2.6 Summary
 Identify the research gap (Important part Conclusion
 2.1 Introduction
 Provide a Background or History by pointing out the major research topic that will be discussed
 Discuss what kind of work has been done on the topic and identify any controversies within the
field
 Identify the broad problem area but don’t be too global (for example, discussing the history of
education when the topic is on specific instructional strategy)
 Discuss the general importance of your topic for those in your field and concerned study
 Conclude with a purpose/ thesis statement
 In a stand-alone literature review, sum up with the entire structure
 In a review, suggest how the review findings will lead to the research
Example
 2.2 Definition of key terms
 Include at least 2-3 direct quotes from scholarly sources and paraphrase them

 No need to elaborate the definition

 Conclude a common definition based on definitions of authors

 Example

“The Gini coefficient, also known as the Gini ratio or the Gini index, measures the dispersion of income among

different groups of citizens in a community ( Alvaredo, 2011). This is the most commonly used indicator to measure

the distribution of income and wealth amongst a community. In particular, the value of the Gini coefficient refers

to the “proportion of income that is amassed and possessed by a certain percentage of residents in the entire

community” (Navarro et al., 2006). For instance, when the Gini coefficient is zero this means that the society

demonstrates complete equality in the distribution of wealth. On the other hand, a Gini coefficient of 100% (1)

reflects massive inequality in a society where all the wealth is owned by a single individual. Gini Coefficient ranges

from 0-1, where 0 is perfect equality and 1 is perfect inequality (Alvaredo, 2011). “
 2.3 Theoretical Framework

 Discussion of applicable theoretical frameworks

 Diagrammatic presentation of frameworks preferred

 Example:

Researchers specifically break down the housing price into different components including
dependant variables and explanatory variables. This study discovers a high degree of
homogeneity based on the quantitative approach and OLS model applied in the analysis of the
data. By using data consisting of samples of housing prices in Barcelona between 1998 and 2001,
the study dissects the Gini index into various explanatory variables and relates them to a housing
price represented by the price per square meter (PPSM) (Villar and Raya, 2015).
 2.4 Heading to the objective

 Related to objectives

 Example

 Homeownership, property price and Social Inequality in Hong Kong (Investigating the impact of
constantly growing property price on social inequality in Hong Kong )

The rate of home ownership has increased dramatically over the past three decades. As per
Ronald & Doling (2012), it happened because of expansionary government policies promoting
the development of the real estate market in Hong Kong. This has been accompanied by a
huge increase in lending activity. This is a matter of concern since it was the problem of over-
lending in the real estate market that caused the American real estate market to collapse with
a significant negative impact on the whole economic system (Schooling et al., 2010). This
situation could repeat itself in Hong Kong.
Example
 2.5 Summary
 Summarise the key findings of literature review

 Explain how it will support your study

 Identify the research gap (Important part)

 Example

The usefulness of Gini coefficient to explain the effect of changes in the price of housing has been validated by
research. Nevertheless, this does not negate ongoing doubt regarding the use of the Gini coefficient as an
indicator of social inequality. (Research Gap) This study makes use of the data about Gini coefficient and
housing price to evaluate its usefulness in study of social inequality, which can be very relevant to housing
prices as discussed in the literature review. In this way, the study adds to the existing body of knowledge. It
has the potential to justify the application of the Gini coefficient and rebukes the criticism posed by opponents
of its use in macroeconomic analysis. (Support to study) This is a significant research gap that can be filled by
this study.
Strategies to find a research gap

 One useful trick is to look at the “suggestions for future

research” or conclusion section of existing studies on
your topic.
 Many times, the authors will identify areas where they
think a research gap exists, and what studies they think
need to be done in the future.
Example

Literature Review

2.1 Overview (Introduction)

2.2 The Gini Coefficient and Social Inequality (Definition of Terms)

2.3 Housing price, Social inequality and Gini Coefficient (Theoretical Base)

2.4 Housing Affordability (Objective)

2.5 Homeownership and Social Inequality in Hong Kong (Objective)

2.6 Social Housing Tenants and Social Inequality in Hong Kong (Objective)

2.7 Research Gap (Summary)

Thank You!