A good starting point is to read some literature reviews in your field and become familiar with the organization and evaluation strategies in them. Here are some ways to find literature reviews:
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A literature review is a synthesized account that evaluates the publications in a subject area, which are written by scholars or researchers. Literature reviews are used in a variety of contexts:
Note that a literature review evaluates the literature; it does not simply summarize it.
You may have been told you're required to do literature review, but don't know why you have to go through the process. Remembering some of the "whys" may help you focus and write your literature review.
Updates you on current research, theories and methodologies that will help focus your proposal
Bloomberg, L.D., & Volpe, M. (2008). Completing your Qualitative Dissertation: A Roadmap from Beginning to End. Los Angeles: Sage
Machi, L.E., & McEvoy, B.T. ( 2009). The Literature Review: Six Steps to Success. Thousand Oaks: Corwin Sage.
O'Hara, M., Wainwright, J., & Kay, J. (2011). Successful dissertations : The complete guide for education, childhood and early childhood studies students. London, GBR: Continuum International Publishing.
This class page is based on the 2011 presentation, "The Literature Review Process," created by librarian Annie Downey.
A literature review is NOT:
You need to be evaluating the literature and explaining how it leads to your research question or supports your thesis statement.