1. The Purpose of a Literature Review [0]

thumbnail A literature review serves four main purposes, with the first two being the most crucial for any academic research.

1.1. Four Key Functions of a Literature Review [0]

  1. Demonstrate understanding of existing literature [0]
    1. The review shows that the researcher has a solid grasp of the current state of research related to their topic and research questions. [0]
    2. Academic writing involves "standing on the shoulders of giants," so the review identifies previous researchers, their contributions, and the current state of arguments in the field. [0]
  2. Identify gaps in the literature [0]
    1. The review helps to show that the researcher's specific study is needed because there are gaps in existing research. [0]
    2. Universities typically require originality in research, so the review helps identify unique angles or contexts (e.g., specific countries or environments) that have not been explored. [0]
  3. Build theoretical or conceptual models [0]
    1. For those planning to create theoretical or conceptual models, the literature review forms the foundation. [0]
    2. This involves combining different theories and past research to construct a model that can be tested and validated. [0]
  4. Lay the groundwork for methodology [0]
    1. By reviewing relevant literature, researchers become familiar with various studies and the methodologies they used (qualitative or quantitative). [0]
    2. This process can provide inspiration, insights, and practical tools, such as validated question sets or criteria, to inform the researcher's own methodology. [1]

1.2. Emphasizing the First Two Functions [1]

  1. The first two functions are the most important to remember. [1]
    1. They demonstrate the researcher's understanding of the topic and show that they are not trying to "reinvent the wheel." [1]
    2. They also prove that the researcher's chosen angle is original and necessary for further investigation. [1]

2. Three Steps to Writing a Literature Review [1]

thumbnail Writing a literature review involves three main steps: finding relevant research, logging and cataloging it, and finally, outlining and writing the review.

2.1. Step 1: Find Relevant Research [1]

  1. Actively search for research [1]
    1. Even if a research proposal has been accepted, universities and supervisors expect a thorough review of relevant literature. [2]
    2. This step can be time-consuming if not approached systematically. [2]
  2. Use Google Scholar for initial searches [2]
    1. Google Scholar (scholar.google.com) is a powerful search engine for academic content, similar to Google for the general internet. [2]
    2. It is excellent for getting an initial overview of available literature and shows citation data, indicating an article's authority and reliability. [2]
    3. To identify relevant articles, open those with relevant titles and quickly read their abstracts to see if they fit the research objectives. [2]
    4. While some articles are free, many are behind paywalls; researchers should note down titles, authors, and dates of all potentially relevant articles. [2]
  3. Utilize university databases [2]
    1. University libraries typically provide access to a wide range of licensed content. [2]
    2. Copy and paste the exact titles found on Google Scholar into the university's search engine to access articles that might otherwise be behind paywalls. [3]
    3. University databases can be less sophisticated than Google Scholar, so precise title matching is crucial to avoid missing results. [3]
  4. Employ the "snowballing" method [3]
    1. Once a few highly relevant articles are found, examine their reference lists. [3]
    2. These reference lists are "gold mines" as they contain sources that formed the foundation of the relevant articles. [3]
    3. Search for these referenced articles using Google Scholar or university databases, read them, and if relevant, repeat the process with their reference lists, creating a "snowball effect" of finding more articles. [3]
    4. Be aware that this method can lead to older articles as the chain of references goes further back in time. [3]
  5. Review other dissertations [3]
    1. Looking at dissertations from other institutions or countries can be a great way to find relevant sources. [3]
    2. Many databases like EBSCOhost and ProQuest offer access to dissertations, often for free. [3]
    3. While useful for finding sources, be cautious as these are student works, and their quality (e.g., grades received) is unknown. [3]
  6. Efficiently assess relevance [3]
    1. Instead of reading entire articles, start by reading the abstract. [3]
    2. If the abstract is insufficient, read the introduction and conclusion to determine relevance. [3]

2.2. Step 2: Log, Catalog, and Synthesize Literature [3]

  1. Log reference information [3]
    1. Use reference management software like Mendeley or Zotero to store all collected articles. [3]
    2. These tools can often synchronize with Google Scholar or university libraries to easily import references, saving manual data entry. [4]
    3. Always check imported data for minor errors or typos. [4]
    4. Logging all data, even if it doesn't seem immediately relevant, saves time later when citing. [4]
  2. Catalog information in a detailed spreadsheet [4]
    1. Create a catalog, preferably in Excel, to organize information from each article; a free template is available on the Grad Coach website. [4]
    2. The catalog should include: author, title, publication date, subject, a summary of key points and insights, methodology, and any other relevant notes. [4]
    3. Break down data into as many columns as possible (e.g., keywords, key variables) to allow for easy sorting and filtering. [4]
    4. This detailed catalog is crucial for managing a large number of sources (100-300) and quickly retrieving specific information during the writing phase. [4]
    5. It prevents the common problem of forgetting who said what as the volume of literature grows. [4]
  3. Synthesize the information [4]
    1. After logging and cataloging, take time to digest and synthesize all the information mentally. [4]
    2. This involves thinking about how all the pieces fit together, how current theory and research answer the research questions, and where authors agree or disagree. [4]
    3. Step back from individual articles to see the "big picture" and develop a cohesive narrative for the literature review. [4]
    4. Use visual aids like mind-mapping software (e.g., FreeMind) or a whiteboard to map out connections and raise new questions. [5]
    5. Avoid rushing into writing, as this can lead to a review that lacks a strong, synthesized argument, even if the individual content is good. [5]
    6. Taking time to synthesize helps identify how everything fits together and ensures a strong, coherent literature review. [5]

2.3. Step 3: Outline and Write [5]

  1. Outline before writing [5]
    1. Creating an outline is the first and most crucial step in writing the literature review. [6]
    2. The outline can be visual (e.g., on a whiteboard) or a bulleted list in a document. [6]
    3. It helps organize the discussion logically and ensures clear communication of complex information to the reader. [6]
    4. A clear outline prevents getting lost in a large volume of information and helps maintain a coherent narrative. [6]
  2. Structure the literature review [6]
    1. Chronological structure: Organize the narrative based on how ideas developed over time, suitable for certain topics. [6]
    2. Thematic structure: Group content by themes, such as "antecedents," "drivers," or "contributors" to a specific outcome. [6]
    3. The choice of structure depends on the individual research topic; Grad Coach offers free consultations for guidance. [6]
  3. Focus on getting the first draft done [6]
    1. The goal of the first draft is not perfection; "done is better than perfect." [6]
    2. Avoid getting stuck trying to make the first draft 100% perfect, as this can lead to writer's block. [29]
    3. Simply get all thoughts and arguments down on paper according to the outline. [30]
  4. Refine and seek feedback [6]
    1. After completing the first draft, step away from it for a day or two to clear the mind. [6]
    2. Then, return to read and perform a "rough edit" to improve flow, strengthen points, and enhance the prominence of certain components. [6]
    3. Seek feedback from a friend or family member: Ask them to read the literature review without much prior explanation and then explain what they understood. [6]
      1. This provides clear indications of which points were clear, strong, or needed improvement. [8]
      2. It helps determine if the main points were conveyed correctly. [6]
    4. Tighten up the document: Incorporate feedback from friends and make further revisions. [17]
    5. Seek feedback from a supervisor: Send the tightened document to the supervisor for their review. [17]
      1. Supervisors are often the first markers, so addressing their requests is important. [26]
      2. Consider working with a professional research specialist (e.g., Grad Coach) beforehand to iron out basic issues, allowing the supervisor to focus on key issues. [19]
    6. Continue to "tighten up" the document through multiple rounds of feedback and editing. [30]

2.4. Recap of the Three Steps [34]

  1. Start with "why": Understand the purpose of a literature review. [36]
  2. Dig up content: Use techniques like Google Scholar, university databases, snowballing, and reviewing dissertations. [38]
  3. Log and catalog:
    1. Log all content into a reference manager. [40]
    2. Catalog it into a detailed Excel spreadsheet (a free template is available). [40]
    3. Synthesize all information mentally, perhaps using a whiteboard. [41]
  4. Outline and write:
    1. Outline the argument and structure of the chapter before writing. [42]
    2. Focus on getting arguments down on paper without worrying about perfection in the first draft. [43]