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Literature Reviews: What is a Literature Review?

This guide will help students learn how to create a literature review for their research papers.

What is a Literature Review?

  • Often a part of a larger academic paper; one chapter of a thesis or dissertation

  • Compilation of information from different peer-reviewed and scholarly articles and books

  • Explains background information: Lays the groundwork for your paper; really lays the foundation for which you will write your paper. 

    • Ex. Why is this topic important? What are themes and concepts on this topic?

  • Often background information, defining terms specific to this topic, completed studies, different perspectives from authors in the field, information that helps explain the claim you are trying to make

Literature Review

Credit to AIT Library for the infographic.

Undertaking a Literature review: step by step approach

Cronin, P., Ryan, F., & Coughlan, M. (2008). Undertaking a literature review: a step-by-step approach. British journal of nursing, 17(1), 38.

This article is aimed at Nursing students, but the principles can be applied to any Literature Review.

Checklist for Writing a Literature Review