What do we mean by a literature review?

Bruce HargraveMilitary Education Group

To review the literature on a subject…

• First, we need to find it.• Then, we need to read it.• Then, we need to interpret it.

We need to subject it to…• Critical Analysis

– Who said it?– What exactly did they say (and in what

context)?– Why did they say it (and why should it interest

me)?– When did they say it (is it still relevant today)?– Where did they say it? (context again)– How is what they said relevant to my

argument or to my project?

For a literature review of a military subject…

• Do we only need to consult military sources?

• How widely should we research the literature?

• How can we make sure we don’t miss vital information sources?

• How do we know when it’s complete?

A literature review:• Puts your research focus in the context of

the wider community in your field.– That community may be academic.– It may be military.– It may be both.

• Reports your critical review of the relevant literature.

• Identifies a gap within that literature that your research will attempt to address.

By doing a literature review, you also:

• Establish your credibility as someone who has something important to say on the subject.

When to stop• ‘Build an argument, not a library.’

– Rudestam and Newton (1992).• Writing your essay is part of the research

process.• Not something that happens after you

have finished reading the literature.