Writing you lit review:
What is a literature review (for)?
Establishes the terms and context. How else will you define
exactly what you’re looking at and where its limits are?
Presents a survey of preceding literature on the topic. How
else will you know what’s been done already?
Explores ways that others have solved similar
questions/problems. How else will you select an appropriate
methodology and approach?
Outlines the relationship of these texts to each other. How
else will you know what the different perspectives and debates are,
and where you are coming from?
Evaluates the quality and relevance of the literature. How
else will you be able to build on or reject it?
Establishes the gaps or inadequacies. How else will you justify
your own contribution?
Demonstrates your scholarly rigor. How else can I have faith in
your conclusions?
Characteristics of Effective Literature Reviews
• Outline important research trends
• Assess the strengths and weaknesses of existing research
• Identify potential gaps in knowledge
• Establish a need for current and/or future research projects
Reading critically
Think about:
What were the research aims of the paper/book?
Is the research aim achieved? If so, how did they do it?
Are there any problems with their methodology?
Was it a strong or a weak research model?
How will this research help with your own research?
What can you take from it?
What needs to be avoided?
What are you doing differently?
Steps for Writing a Lit Review
Planning
Reading and Research
Analyzing
Drafting
Revising
Planning Literature review Question
P – Patient, Problem or Population
I – Intervention
C – Comparison, control or comparator
What is a literature review (for)?
Establishes the terms and context. How else will you define
exactly what you’re looking at and where its limits are?
Presents a survey of preceding literature on the topic. How
else will you know what’s been done already?
Explores ways that others have solved similar
questions/problems. How else will you select an appropriate
methodology and approach?
Outlines the relationship of these texts to each other. How
else will you know what the different perspectives and debates are,
and where you are coming from?
Evaluates the quality and relevance of the literature. How
else will you be able to build on or reject it?
Establishes the gaps or inadequacies. How else will you justify
your own contribution?
Demonstrates your scholarly rigor. How else can I have faith in
your conclusions?
Characteristics of Effective Literature Reviews
• Outline important research trends
• Assess the strengths and weaknesses of existing research
• Identify potential gaps in knowledge
• Establish a need for current and/or future research projects
Reading critically
Think about:
What were the research aims of the paper/book?
Is the research aim achieved? If so, how did they do it?
Are there any problems with their methodology?
Was it a strong or a weak research model?
How will this research help with your own research?
What can you take from it?
What needs to be avoided?
What are you doing differently?
Steps for Writing a Lit Review
Planning
Reading and Research
Analyzing
Drafting
Revising
Planning Literature review Question
P – Patient, Problem or Population
I – Intervention
C – Comparison, control or comparator
