What is a Literature Review? Definition, Types, and Examples

A literature review is a complete analysis of the existing research and all the knowledge available on any particular topic to date. It provides a detailed synopsis of the current state of knowledge, allowing researchers to identify gaps and understand what the existing information may lack. This process also highlights key findings in the literature. If you're working on your own review and need guidance, consider consulting a Dissertation Consultant to help you navigate the complexities. In this blog, we’ll dive into the details of a complete literature review and explore the different types of literature reviews with examples.

What is a Literature Review?

A complete and detailed overview of the existing research that points out the gaps and highlights the important information. The main purpose of the literature review is to relate your research within the context of the existing research, demonstrating your ideas and understanding of the existing information and how you can further contribute to it. Writing a literature review is a difficult task to do; it is totally based upon your skills and prior research pertaining to a certain topic, demonstrates your grasp on the study topic, and help in the learning process.

Why Literature Review is Important?

A literature review is an important activity because it contributes to the following:

1. Shows mastery in one particular area.
2. Aides in elaborating and focusing the research topics.
3. Points out gaps and abnormalities in the existing body of research.
4. Enables the researchers to leverage what has already been done and prevent redundancy.

How to Write a Literature Review Faster?

It is a difficult process to write a literature review, but there are several strategies to write it in a faster way. The first thing we should do is identify the focus of the review and the key questions that we want to address; it will help to filter the exact study quickly. The use of digital tools like Mendeley and Endnote, which could help us in organizing citations efficiently, further we can do is to create an outline, like structuring your review in advance while making the different sections for each topic that will help your research, making the writing process easier and faster.

Purpose of Writing a Literature Review

In any academic or research activity, it is fair to say, a literature review is of utmost importance. In that sense, some of the key goals and activities of a literature review are as follows:

Situating the Research Problem in its Wider Step: By this literature review, the reader is provided with the background and context for the research problem. It also helps to position the research style within the trends.

Helping in Finding the Set of Knowledge Problems: By recognizing gaps, contradictions or insufficiently examined issues, the author of the research can formulate the research problem and explain its relevance. This is important so that the new research will add something new to the existing research.

Understanding Theoretical and Conceptual Frameworks: Looking into the theoretical and conceptual frameworks from literature is essential in helping the researchers understand the constructs which had been developed in the previous studies. This is crucial in constructing an appropriate theoretical framework for the current research.

Providing Methodological Insights: The reviews of literature also have another use for them in such a manner that it permits them to know the methods of investigations which were administered in the earlier investigations. In this way one can minimize the dangers other researchers have faced and help carry on more effective research.

Establishing Credibility: Through an efficient and focused literature review the researcher is able to acquire what is in the body of knowledge which is important for their credibility and competence. This also assists in the strengthening of the base the upcoming study rests on.

Informing Hypotheses or Research Questions: In cognitive terms, the review articulates the hypotheses or research questions, revealing what has already been done and what needs to be explored further.

Types of Literature Reviews with Examples

Narrative or Traditional Review: This type refers to more of a broad and descriptive literature review constituting no specific method. It is mostly done in order to highlight the topic and some of the most relevant informative sources used. Narrative reviews offer considerable freedom in using a variety of approaches to generalize and organize the information about a specific topic. Here is the example: A review showcased the general aspects of climate change research during the last 10 years.

Systematic Review: It is the process of identifying, locating and critically evaluating all studies that address a given research question to collect and collate all available evidence on that question. This method is very detailed in its organization and seeks to reduce bias. This is frequently applied in clinical and scientific researches so that no possible evidence cannot be left under consideration as best possible. Here is the example: The systematic review of the one drug’s effects on a group of individuals being treated for cancer is presented using data from many clinical trials.

Scoping Review: Scoping studies are brought into engagement so that the key ideas, concepts, theories and research gaps existing in the literature on a wide subject can be visualized as well. They involve less scrutiny in comparison to systematic analyses, and such reviews are usually carried out to determine the scope of further investigations. Here is the example: A scoping review describing models of delivery of mental health services to children within the school systems.

Theoretical Review: This type evaluates the theories or model that already exists relevant to the particular subject. This type of article evaluates the evolution of the theoretical models and their applicability to the present studies. Here is the example: A theoretical review of leadership in organizational behavior.

Integrative Review: Doing an integrative review is to bring together and combine various types of literatures including theoretical and empirical to create the whole narrative. Its objective is to generate a fresh perspective on the issue by combining the results of qualitative and quantitative research. Here is the example: An integrative review of remote teaching in higher education.

How to Write a good Literature Review?

The researcher’s aim at developing and analyzing the contributions that have been made with respect to the study of a specific subject. A good format of writing the literature review should entail the following aspects.

Introduction: The introduction provides the background information in support of the literature review and explains the main aspect which will be reviewed in this work.

Opening Statement: Start with a few words about the general area of interest and its relevance in the other studies.

Scope and Purpose: State clearly the extent of your literature review. State the precise aim or the objective the literature seeks to achieve.

Organizational Framework: In a nutshell describe how your literature review will look like namely what topics will you cover and how will you present the existing theories.

Significance of the Study: Stress the need for conducting the literature review and the potential payoff of doing so for the understanding of the selected issue.

Thesis Statement: Finish the introduction part with a short thesis statement adding what position will be held and supported in the body of this literature review.

Conclusion:

An extensive and comprehensive review of literature should form the mainstay of any research paper and overviews the coverage of the existing knowledge and assists a researcher in defining their place in the scenery of existing research. In other words, a literature review not only shows what the current state of knowledge is, what has been reached in agreement, but most importantly, where the lessons are incomplete. This is important not only for appreciating what has been done but also for knowing what else needs to be done in future studies and where that emphasis should be directed.

Knowledge is acquired in different ways, and the various methods of literature reviews are revised to match specific research objectives. For example, narrative or traditional reviews emphasize primary sources and provide an overview of the field, while systematic reviews aim to answer specific questions using systematic methods. Meta-analysis involves pooling data from studies to assess effects, scoping reviews discuss innovative developments, and theoretical reviews challenge existing theories or frameworks regarding the recalcitrant change process. To grasp how appropriate research is on a selected topic, one must understand these types, which enables scientists to determine the best approach and methods for their study.

Among the important benefits a literature review offers is its ability to identify gaps in research. By doing so, authors can introduce studies that will address any neglected areas, fostering creativity and exploration of the unknown, and expanding the frontiers of a discipline. Additionally, the critical assessment provided in a literature review helps scholars appreciate the merits and demerits of other studies, preparing them for better and more credible research. For those seeking assistance, Thesis Writing Help can provide valuable guidance in navigating these literature review methodologies, ensuring a well-rounded and comprehensive approach to their research.

One of the basic skills for each student, every recognized scholar and for all professionals, is his ability to create a literature review. This not only helps improve one's understanding of the body of knowledge, but also promotes identification of trends, themes and research deficiencies which are very important for growth in understanding. Using such developed techniques as stating the research questions well, group the literature to emergent themes, and provide a critique, the effective literature review provides the applicable understanding of the topic.

To assume, be it for research purpose or just to know what work has already been done on a particular subject, this literature review is very helpful as it offers assistance, understanding, and guidance relevant to the situation which is ever shifting.

Jonathan Parker is an acclaimed author and content creator who has captivated readers since 2015