Literature Review Basics

Jessica BarronWriting Tutor

Writing CenterWalden University

Literature Reviews

The purpose of a literature review is• To provide researchers with an overview on

a topic or field• To allow a writer to demonstrate his/her

knowledge on the current state of a topic• To support a writer’s future research

Literature Reviews

What is not a literature review?

• A collection of source summaries or abstracts• A copy/paste of annotations• A discussion of your opinions on a topic

Instead, your job as the writer is to synthesize the literature to create that foundation for your research or argument.

Literature Reviews

What is synthesis?• Identifying patterns among the sources• Critically discussing strengths/weaknesses of the

sources or in the field• Comparing and contrasting the authors’ findings• Interpreting what is known in your field and what

is missing

Literature Reviews

Unlike an annotated bibliography, there is no required format for a literature review.

Common requirements:• An introduction and conclusion paragraph

– Helps transition the reader into the topic• Organization by theme rather than author

Literature Reviews

By author:• Limits a paragraph to one

source• Does not allow for direct

comparison• Tends to come across as a

series of “book reports”

By theme:• Allows for a unique

organization• Can have the authors “talk to

each other”• Demonstrates the writer’s

analysis of the literature

Organization

Literature Reviews

When organized by theme, writers can also use headings and comparative terms within the text.

• Headings– Cue your reader to organization and changing topics– Note subtopics of themes

• Comparative terms– Demonstrate where authors agree or disagree – Highlight your interpretation of the authors’ findings

Literature Reviews

Example Synthesis (APA)As Stragalas (2010) argued, sharing specific details about the

change will help to eliminate any difficulties. Steele-Johnson et al. (2010) echoed these sentiments when they reported that revealing all of the details about a change process can help those involved better understand and support the change. Steele-Johnson et al. also asserted that a high level of transparency during the change can help those involved prepare for and welcome the change. Similarly, Nahata et al. (2010) showed that transparency through excessive communication can allow for a wider range of acceptance of the change.

Literature Reviews Tools

Literature reviews require a lot of research and note taking. Thankfully, there are some tools to help you keep track of your material:

• Literature review matrices• Zotero

Literature Reviews Tools

Literature Review MatricesMatrices are documents that allow you to compile

details about your sources and begin to note similarities among the authors.

Example comparisons:• Theoretical framework• Methodology• Conclusions• Implications or need for future research

Literature Reviews ToolsExample Matrix

Example matrices on Writing Center website: http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/50.htm

Requirements

• Choose 7-12 solid sources that reflect the bulk of your research.– These should be the sources you believe you will cite in your actual paper.

• Write a literature review for those sources.– Use your annotated bibliography as a reference. – It is okay to take entire sentences from your annotated bibliography, but

remember you are presenting the basic arguments behind your topic in the literature review.

• Minimum length: 5 paragraphs