1. LITERATURE REVIEW
by Moazzam Ali

2. LITERATURE REVIEW DEFINED
Literature review is
a body of text that aims to review the critical points of current knowledge on a particular topic
an account of what has been published on a topic by accredited scholars and researchers
intended to summarize and synthesize the relevant research on a topic by professionals in the field. It can stand alone or appear as part of a longer work, such as a research proposal

3. LITERATURE REVIEW DEFINED
Ultimate goal is to bring the reader up to date with current literature on a topic and forms the basis for another goal, such as future research that may be needed in the area
A good literature review is characterized by:
a logical flow of ideas
current and relevant references with consistent, appropriate referencing style
proper use of terminology; and
an unbiased and comprehensive view of the previous research on the topic

4. LITERATURE REVIEW DEFINED
A literature review lets you gain and demonstrate skills in two areas:
information seeking: the ability to scan the literature efficiently, using manual or computerized methods, to identify a set of useful articles and books
critical appraisal: the ability to apply principles of analysis to identify unbiased and valid studies.

5. LITERATURE REVIEW DEFINED
A literature review must do these things:
be organized around and related directly to the thesis or research question you are developing
synthesize results into a summary of what is and is not known
identify areas of controversy in the literature
formulate questions that need further research

6. QUALITY OF LITERATURE REVIEW
The quality of the literature review is dependent upon
The thoroughness of the writer's search
The quality and  reliability of the writer's sources
The ability of the writer to relate research studies to one another and to the writer's own thesis or purpose
The objectivity of the writer in selecting, interpreting, organizing, and summarizing the research he or she has reviewed

7. PURPOSE OF LITERATURE REVIEW
The purpose of a literature review is to:
establish a theoretical framework for the subject area
define key terms, definitions and terminology
identify studies, models, case studies etc supporting the topic
define / establish area of study, i.e. research topic

8. KEY POINTS OF A LITERATURE REVIEW
Tell me what the research says (theory)
Tell me how the research was carried out (methodology)
Tell me what is missing, i.e. the gap that your research intends to fill

9. WRITING A LITERATURE REVIEW
Ask yourself questions like these:
What is the specific thesis, problem, or research question that my literature review helps to define?
What type of literature review am I conducting? Am I looking at issues of theory? methodology? policy? quantitative research (e.g. on the effectiveness of a new procedure)? qualitative research (e.g., studies )?
What is the scope of my literature review? What types of publications am I using (e.g., journals, books, government documents, popular media)? What discipline am I working in (e.g., nursing psychology, sociology, medicine)?

10. WRITING A LITERATURE REVIEW
How good was my information seeking? Has my search been wide enough to ensure I've found all the relevant material? Has it been narrow enough to exclude irrelevant material? Is the number of sources I've used appropriate for the length of my paper?
Have I critically analysed the literature I use? Do I follow through a set of concepts and questions, comparing items to each other in the ways they deal with them? Instead of just listing and summarizing items, do I assess them, discussing strengths and weaknesses?
Have I cited and discussed studies contrary to my perspective?
Will the reader find my literature review relevant, appropriate, and useful?

11. WRITING A LITERATURE REVIEW
How good was my information seeking? Has my search been wide enough to ensure I've found all the relevant material? Has it been narrow enough to exclude irrelevant material? Is the number of sources I've used appropriate for the length of my paper?
Have I critically analysed the literature I use? Do I follow through a set of concepts and questions, comparing items to each other in the ways they deal with them? Instead of just listing and summarizing items, do I assess them, discussing strengths and weaknesses?
Have I cited and discussed studies contrary to my perspective?
Will the reader find my literature review relevant, appropriate, and useful?

12. HOW CAN ONE AVOID THIS MISTAKE?
MAJOR MISTAKES
A literature review is a piece of discursive prose - not a list describing or summarizing one piece of literature after another. It's usually a bad sign to see every paragraph beginning with the name of a researcher
HOW CAN ONE AVOID THIS MISTAKE?
Organize the literature review into sections that present themes or identify trends, including relevant theory.
Summarize each item briefly and follow through themes and concepts and do some critical assessment of material.
Use an overall introduction and conclusion to state the scope of coverage and to formulate the question, problem, or concept the chosen material illuminates

13. TIPS FOR A GOOD LITERATURE REVIEW
Examining existing literature review models will assist any student/researcher wishing to know how to write literature reviews that are accomplished and effective
Narrow your topic - there are hundreds or even thousands of articles and books on most areas of study. The narrower your topic, the easier it will be to limit the number of sources you need to read in order to get a good survey of the material
Keep your own voice - while the literature review presents others' ideas, your voice (the writer's) should remain front and center

14. EXERCISE
Read as many as possible literature reviews written by both students and professionals