How to Write a Literature Review: A Step-by-Step Guide
1. Understand the Purpose of a Literature Review Definition: A literature review is a comprehensive overview of existing research on a particular topic. Purpose: It helps to identify gaps in the current research, establish the context for your own study, and demonstrate your understanding of the topic. 2. Choose a Topic Focus: Select a topic that is relevant to your field of study and narrow it down to a specific area of interest. Relevance: Ensure the topic is well-researched but not over-saturated, leaving room for your unique perspective. 3. Conduct a Comprehensive Search for Literature Databases: Use academic databases like Google Scholar , PubMed , and JSTOR to find relevant research papers, books, and articles. Keywords: Use specific and relevant keywords to find the most pertinent literature. References: Review the reference lists of key articles to identify additional sources. 4. Organize the Literature Chronological Order: Arrange the literature in the order it was published to track the …