A literature review of a research paper identifies the present knowledge and information about a given topic in the form of research journals and research articles. Nowadays, there are two kinds of literature reviews; one that a researcher writers for the research study and second literature review can be written for the sole purpose of an individual assignment. For determining the kind of a literature review a researcher can write, one needs to assess the thesis argument, type of hypothesis and perspective and focus of the literature review.

 

Why writing a literature review is necessary?

 

• The literature review provides the reader readily available content about the topic extracted from most relevant research studies, journals and articles which is summarized, valid, important and meaningful.

• It is an effective starting point for a researcher who is beginning to research a new topic by compelling the researcher to analyze, compare and summarize the research results.

• Literature review forces the researcher to not copy the work of any other research.

• A literature review can make the researcher analyze where the research is heading and what areas need to work on specifically.

• The literature review presents key results for carrying out formidable research.

• The literature review also helps the research to explore areas which are inconsistent and contradict with each other.

• The literature review also provides progressive analysis about the research methodologies used in other research studies.

 

The content of the literature review

 

Introduction

The introduction describes the direction and develops the importance of the research topic. It explains the kind of work that has been done and highlights the controversies in the previously conducted research or any invalid assumptions that have been claimed in the research. The introduction section of the literature review mostly provides strong backing and attaches the history to the research. The introduction section always finishes with a thesis statement or thesis purpose. In literature review that is being conducted for only assignment purposes, the statements will evaluate and analyze the state of art in the research study; in a literature review which is an introduction of the research report and will recommend the procedure with which a researcher intends to undertake a new study within the same field.

 

Body

The body of literature review contains headings and sub-headings. The body assesses the present state of information and summarizes it. The body contains findings which a researcher may accept or reject, main topics and themes and notifies the mega research trends. If the literature review is only being conducted for assignment purposes then the purpose of the body is to make a statement which justifies the proposed research. So, body only focuses on those research which can directly emphasize the topic of the proposed research.

 

Conclusion

Conclusion presents a summary of all the evidence and displays its importance. If the literature review is a part of the research process then it identifies the gap and tells how previous research studies justifies the proposed research topic and chosen research methodology. But if the review is for assignment purposes then it must provide the practical implications of the research and guidance for further research.

 

Steps in writing an effective literature review

 

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Choosing the topic

Consider these things for finding a workable topic;

• Area of study

• The interest of the researcher

• Consult with supervisor

• Consult lectures and literature

 

Reviewing the literature

• Type in specific keywords. Consult with a minimum of two databases for finding the concerned literature.

• Don’t forget that recently published articles and journals can be an asset for literature review purposes.

• Include research studies which are against the purposed topic

 

Focusing the topic

Pay attention to;

• Interest

• Time a researcher can give in carrying out a research

• People’s interest

 

In-depth reading and evaluation of articles

Find out in previous research that;

• What are the assumptions mostly in practice?

• Their research methodologies? Subjects, testing methods, and tested materials

• How they draw conclusions? And analyze the research result?

• Note that which libraries they are consulting the most? Which experts they are referencing?

• Find the conflicting methodologies, theories, and methods

• Also, find out how theories being used are popular and why they have not changed after so many years?

 

Develop the sub-topics and look for patterns

Consider the following important things;

• Common and contested findings

• Most important trends in the research

• Most effective theories

 

Prepare a viable thesis

Develop one or two statements after going through each research that you include in the literature. These statements must conclude and summarize the major developments and trends that a researcher finds in the research.

 

Organization of literature review paper

It is important to include headings and subheadings. Also, if a researcher finds out that vast information about a certain topic is available then the researcher must categories it and present the knowledge in different divisions. There is no certain rule about which category should come first. Present the categories according to the importance of it.

 

Writing the body of the literature review

After dividing the literature review into categories, now a researcher must start writing the content of each of the categories and subcategories one by one.

 

Focusing the analysis

Now, read each sentence of the paragraph. Decide, if the information presented is sufficiently logical, and if this is what a researcher really wants to include about a certain topic in the research paper from start to end? For example, if a researcher includes the names of the researcher at the start of each paragraph then the audience will understand that the researcher has not emphasized on preparing analytical comparisons of methodologies and finding rather he has highlight what has been done in the research only. The focus should be only on analysis. Most students do not consider it which is the main reason for failing to create the best literature review. A literature review should be central and should provide a guiding concept. Therefore, edit the whole paper if a researcher thinks to add more information or want to delete off topics and requires restructuring of the literature review.