Literature review
What is the purpose of a literature review?
A literature review provides a comprehensive and up to date overview of current research on a topic, containing the most relevant studies and pointing to important past and current research and practices in a field.
Writing a good literature review requires careful planning, a clear structure, analytical thinking, good literature searching skills, and the ability to synthesise and summarise information in a clear writing style.
A literature review can:
- Provide a thorough knowledge of previous studies
- Introduce important works and focus your research topic within the broader context
- Help you to see how new research is like building blocks, laid upon the ideas built by others, and appreciate the sequence and growth of knowledge
- Identify gaps in the research for future investigation
- Help you to avoid repetition of earlier research
- Identify controversy in the literature
- Focus your own research topic within the broader context.
Get started
- Think of the main concepts relating to your research question
- Determine the scope of your literature search and review
- The extent of literature retrieved will indicate the level of research conducted in your area of study. Is this a new area of research?
- Consider how far back you search, are there theoretical works that must be included?
- Ensure you also look at the most current research
Finding the literature
The Library can provide expert help in finding, evaluating, using and referencing resources for your assessments and research.
- Health Expert Help GuidesUse these guides to find relevant resources for your assessments.
- Library supportContact the library via Chat, phone or email.
Academic writing skills
- PathfinderPathfinder helps students to further develop their academic writing and other study skills. You can go prepared with specific questions, or ask for feedback on your drafts. Pathfinder staff can advise on structure, formality, clarity, language etc. They cannot edit your work or advise on content.