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Writing Literature Reviews

Getting Started

Overview

The focus of a literature review is to provide an overview of sources explored while researching a particular topic. This is distinct from a standard research paper, whose purpose is to develop a new argument. The literature review may be incorporated into a larger research project, or it could be developed as a separate document.

Steps to Writing a Literature Review

See the Video Tutorials (in the next tab over) for a breakdown of the steps and process.

The following summary of steps is adapted from the OWL Social Work Literature Review Guidelines.

1. Gather

Cast a wide net to find a variety of articles loosely related to your subject. 

2. Select

Narrow your articles to those that are most relevant to your subject and purpose.

3. Examine

Critically evaluate the articles, looking at methodology, statistics, results, theoretical framework, author's purpose, etc.

4. Organize

Look for themes in the literature to organize the articles in a meaningful fashion. For example, group case studies together.

5. Assess

Offer a critical assessment of the literature that goes beyond a simple summary.

6. Develop

Suggest further areas for research that go beyond what you have reviewed. What new questions need to be explored?