Recognising Quality Literature Reviews

Learning Development
Learning outcomes
• To develop the ability to identify high quality examples
of literature review content
• To further understand the purpose of a literature review
• To understand that literature reviews should be critical,
not descriptive pieces
Quality literature reviews
A weaker literature review:
• lists key findings without critical engagement
• describes content of literature
• addresses individual articles or books without looking
for similarities or differences between other articles
• uses disciplinary terminology without explanation or
definition
Quality literature reviews
A quality literature review:
• avoids description
• provides context
• explains why this report/essay/dissertation is important
within that context
• offers critical insight (strengths and weaknesses)
• identifies themes within the existing literature which can
inform research and practice
Writing samples: good or bad?
 Example 1
As an emerging resource, it is important that we gain a proper understanding
of what does and does not work when presenting historic documents online,
whether for an academic or general audience. Indeed, understanding the
needs of the user is paramount to web usability in general. As such, the UK
government has placed the concept of ‘understanding user needs’ and ‘what
that means for the design of the service’ as the first point in its 18-point Digital
Service Standard guidelines. This literature review surveys the existing
research on online manuscript collections, first to explore current observations
of good practice and, second, to identify criteria that will be used in the
evaluation of the chosen online archive databases for this project.

Is this a good or bad example of a literature review?

 Example 1
As an emerging resource, it is important that we gain a proper understanding
of what does and does not work when presenting historic documents online,
whether for an academic or general audience. Indeed, understanding the
needs of the user is paramount to web usability in general. As such, the UK
government has placed the concept of ‘understanding user needs’ and ‘what
that means for the design of the service’ as the first point in its 18-point Digital
Service Standard guidelines. This literature review surveys the existing
research on online manuscript collections, first to explore current observations
of good practice and, second, to identify criteria that will be used in the
evaluation of the chosen online archive databases for this project.
• This is part of an introduction. It provides a clear statement of what
the literature review’s purpose is and provides some initial context
• It makes it clear that the literature review will identify criteria that has
a purpose for the remainder of the report.
 Example 2
Max Weber introduced the concept of Iron Cage Rationality. He divided
rationality into two divisions: rational and non-rational decisions. Rational
decisions include calculation and efficiency and focuses on results. Non-
rational decisions include values, morals and traditions. Unlike rational
decisions, non-rational decisions are focused on the process of decision-
making rather than the end results. Weber believed rationalisation is a key
aspect of modernisation.

Is this a good or bad example of a literature review?

 Example 2
Max Weber introduced the concept of Iron Cage Rationality. He divided
rationality into two divisions: rational and non-rational decisions. Rational
decisions include calculation and efficiency and focuses on results. Non-
rational decisions include values, morals and traditions. Unlike rational
decisions, non-rational decisions are focused on the process of decision-
making rather than the end results. Weber believed rationalisation is a key
aspect of modernisation.

• While this paragraph offers a lot of detail, it is very descriptive and

simply lists key details
• It fails to expand on – or define – some of its key terminology
• The author has not connected this to other literature for context
 Example 3
Broadly speaking, there is consensus within the literature that there are three
key parameters to measuring the success of a project: quality, cost and time,
referred to as the ‘Golden Triangle’ of project management or as the
‘dimensions of success’ for information systems.’ As such, a project always
begins with the requirements of the people: the users, stakeholders and the
project team itself. Indeed, it has been noted that there are six key areas to
managing a project: first setting up the project, then managing the schedule,
the finances, the benefits, the risks, opportunities and issues, and, finally,
seeking independent review.

Is this a good or bad example of a literature review?

 Example 3
Broadly speaking, there is consensus within the literature that there are three
key parameters to measuring the success of a project: quality, cost and time,
referred to as the ‘Golden Triangle’ of project management or as the
‘dimensions of success’ for information systems.’ As such, a project always
begins with the requirements of the people: the users, stakeholders and the
project team itself. Indeed, it has been noted that there are six key areas to
managing a project: first setting up the project, then managing the schedule,
the finances, the benefits, the risks, opportunities and issues, and, finally,
seeking independent review.

• This paragraph synthesises existing research to create a list of

points for discussion within the report
• The rest of the report can then follow what has been set out in the
literature review giving this section real purpose and meaning
 Example 4
The metacognitive model explains the causes of obsessive compulsive
disorder (OCD). Metacognition is referred to as an awareness about one's
thought processes and the strategies used to regulate those. There are two
categories of belief that are evident in maintaining OCD. The first covers the
three types of metacognitive beliefs about intrusive thoughts. The second
belief is that of the necessity to perform the ritual and the negative
consequences for failing to do that.

Is this a good or bad example of a literature review?

 Example 4
The metacognitive model explains the causes of obsessive compulsive
disorder (OCD). Metacognition is referred to as an awareness about one's
thought processes and the strategies used to regulate those. There are two
categories of belief that are evident in maintaining OCD. The first covers the
three types of metacognitive beliefs about intrusive thoughts. The second
belief is that of the necessity to perform the ritual and the negative
consequences for failing to do that.

• This passage does not provide context or link the work to existing
literature
• The tone is very descriptive and reads like a list of features of the
model
• It does not offer a full evaluation, it simply describes what it is
 Example 5
In contrast to the more Westminster-centric work of influential Tudor historians,
perhaps most notably Geoffrey Elton, the work of later historians, including
Penry Williams and John Guy, has given much more weight and attention to
the role of the county gentry. Indeed, having explored the court and its
controversies, the natural step for political historians was to move outwards
from Westminster - the heart of the body politic - to the counties to view the
court and country from afar, the most successful examples of which being
Cheshire, Kent and Suffolk.

Is this a good or bad example of a literature review?

 Example 5
In contrast to the more Westminster-centric work of influential Tudor historians,
perhaps most notably Geoffrey Elton, the work of later historians, including
Penry Williams and John Guy, has given much more weight and attention to
the role of the county gentry. Indeed, having explored the court and its
controversies, the natural step for political historians was to move outwards
from Westminster - the heart of the body politic - to the counties to view the
court and country from afar, the most successful examples of which being
Cheshire, Kent and Suffolk.

• This paragraphs clearly raises commonly studied areas within the

discipline and identifies a less well explored area in need of further
research
• Usefully, it gives examples of successful studies which the author
goes on to examine.
• It is also helpfully mentions the work of three prominent academics
to substantiate the point