Types of Research Reviews: Literature Reviews

Selecting a Review Type: An Introduction
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What is a Literature Review?

A literature review (commonly called lit review) is an in-depth critical analysis of published scholarly
research related to a specific topic. The “literature” may refer to journal articles, books, book chapters,
dissertations and theses, or conference proceedings.

What are the criteria of a Literature Review?

• Is organized and related directly to the thesis or research question developed
• Synthesizes results into a summary of what is known (and what is not known on the topic)
• Identifies areas of controversy in the literature
• Formulates questions that need further research

What does a Literature Review do?

• Explains the background of research on a topic.
• Helps focus your own research questions or problems.
• Suggests unexplored ideas or populations.
• Identifies critical gaps, points of disagreement, or potentially flawed methodology or theoretical approaches.

Literature Reviews are Important because they...

• Provide a guide to a particular topic.
• Are useful reports that keep professionals up to date with what is current in the field.
• Can emphasize the credibility of the writer in his or her field.
• Provide a solid background for a research paper’s investigation.

Research Paper vs. Literature Review

Research Paper:

• Develops a new argument.
• Uses a literature review as a foundation and support for new insight.

Literature Review:

• Summarizes and synthesizes the arguments and ideas of others without adding new contributions.

Literature Review Books
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