What is a Literature Review? Why Are They Important?
A literature review is important because it presents the "state of the science" or accumulated knowledge on a specific topic. It summarizes, analyzes, and compares the available research, reporting study strengths and weaknesses, results, gaps in the research, conclusions, and authors’ interpretations.
Tips and techniques for conducting a literature review are described more fully in the subsequent boxes:
Systematic Reviews are NOT the same as a Literature Review:
Literature Reviews:
Systematic Reviews:
Graphic used with permission: Torres, E. Librarian, Hawai'i Pacific University
1. Choose a topic and define your research question
2. Determine the scope of your review
The scope of your review will be determined by your professor during your program. Check your assignment requirements for parameters for the Literature Review.
3. Develop a search plan
4. Conduct searches and find relevant literature
5. Review the literature
6. Organize and synthesize
Options to assist in organizing sources and information:
1. Synthesis Matrix
2. Mapping
3. Summary Table
Efron, S. E., & Ravid, R. (2019). Writing the literature review : A practical guide. Guilford Press.
* The sections included may depend on the purpose of the literature review (standalone paper or section within a research paper)
Standalone Literature Review (aka Narrative Review):
Literature Review as Part of a Research Study Manuscript:
Check out the following articles as examples for formatting a literature review.
These sources have been used in developing this guide.
Aveyard, H. (2010). Doing a literature review in health and social care : A practical guide. McGraw-Hill Education.
Efron, S. E., & Ravid, R. (2019). Writing the literature review : A practical guide. Guilford Press.
Purdue Online Writing Lab. (n.d.). Writing a literature review. Purdue University. https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/conducting_research/writing_a_literature_review.html
Torres, E. (2021, October 21). Nursing - graduate studies research guide: Literature review. Hawai'i Pacific University Libraries. Retrieved January 27, 2022, from https://hpu.libguides.com/c.php?g=543891&p=3727230