Literature Review Basics
Jessica Barron
Writing Tutor
Writing Center
Walden University
Literature Reviews
The purpose of a literature review is
• To provide researchers with an overview on
a topic or field
• To allow a writer to demonstrate his/her
knowledge on the current state of a topic
• To support a writer’s future research
Literature Reviews
What is not a literature review?
• A collection of source summaries or abstracts
• A copy/paste of annotations
• A discussion of your opinions on a topic
Instead, your job as the writer is to synthesize the
literature to create that foundation for your
research or argument.
Literature Reviews
What is synthesis?
• Identifying patterns among the sources
• Critically discussing strengths/weaknesses of the
sources or in the field
• Comparing and contrasting the authors’ findings
• Interpreting what is known in your field and what
is missing
Literature Reviews
Unlike an annotated bibliography, there is no
required format for a literature review.
Common requirements:
• An introduction and conclusion paragraph
– Helps transition the reader into the topic
• Organization by theme rather than author
Literature Reviews
Organization
By author:
By theme:
• Limits a paragraph to one
source
• Does not allow for direct
comparison
• Tends to come across as a
series of “book reports”
• Allows for a unique
organization
• Can have the authors “talk to
each other”
• Demonstrates the writer’s
analysis of the literature
Literature Reviews
When organized by theme, writers can also use
headings and comparative terms within the text.
• Headings
– Cue your reader to organization and changing topics
– Note subtopics of themes
• Comparative terms
– Demonstrate where authors agree or disagree
– Highlight your interpretation of the authors’ findings
Literature Reviews
Example Synthesis (APA)
As Stragalas (2010) argued, sharing specific details about the
change will help to eliminate any difficulties. Steele-Johnson et al.
(2010) echoed these sentiments when they reported that revealing all
of the details about a change process can help those involved better
understand and support the change. Steele-Johnson et al. also asserted
that a high level of transparency during the change can help those
involved prepare for and welcome the change. Similarly, Nahata et al.
(2010) showed that transparency through excessive communication
can allow for a wider range of acceptance of the change.
Literature Reviews Tools
Literature reviews require a lot of research
and note taking. Thankfully, there are some
tools to help you keep track of your
material:
• Literature review matrices
• Zotero
Literature Reviews Tools
Literature Review Matrices
Matrices are documents that allow you to compile
details about your sources and begin to note
similarities among the authors.
Example comparisons:
• Theoretical framework
• Methodology
• Conclusions
• Implications or need for future research
Literature Reviews Tools
Example Matrix
Example matrices on Writing Center website:
http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/50.htm
Requirements
• Choose 7-12 solid sources that reflect the bulk of your research.
– These should be the sources you believe you will cite in your actual paper.
• Write a literature review for those sources.
– Use your annotated bibliography as a reference.
– It is okay to take entire sentences from your annotated bibliography, but
remember you are presenting the basic arguments behind your topic in
the literature review.
• Minimum length: 5 paragraphs