21  Conducting a Literature Review

21.1 Starting the process

The significance of a literature review in research cannot be overstated. It lays the groundwork for further investigation, enabling you to identify what has been studied previously and which areas remain unexplored or could be fruitfully examined in your own research.

Starting a literature review usually begins with identifying the most relevant information available. Choosing the right databases is critical, whether you choose to use general platforms like Google Scholar or more subject-specific ones like ERIC or PsycINFO. Using tools like Boolean operators can enhance your search efficiency. It’s always better to access full articles rather than summaries or abstracts, as these shorter forms might miss critical information that is relevant to your work.

A common strategy is to start the search by noting down keywords relevant to your topic, refining these as you move deeper into the literature. You can experiment with different combinations to see which ones yield the most relevant articles/sources.

A useful tactic is to start with well-regarded or frequently-cited articles, using their references to find additional material. Tools like Google Scholar’s “Cited by” feature can lead you to newer works that reference these foundational pieces, thereby expanding your source list.

Begin with a general search to gain a comprehensive understanding of the topic, then progressively focus on more specific areas or questions. This approach helps balance the need for a broad overview with the necessity of detailed exploration.

21.2 Working with the literature

Evaluating the sources you gather is crucial. Start by assessing their relevance to your research question and practical applicability. Investigate the methodology and consistency of the findings. Prioritise peer-reviewed sources for their quality assurance, but other sources (such as professional publications) may sometimes be useful as well. Don’t discount older works, as they often provide a valuable historical perspective. Also, consider the authors’ potential biases to ensure the credibility of your sources.

Synthesising information involves not just collecting information, but integrating and interpreting it. Try to organise your findings thematically, critically assess each source for strengths and weaknesses, and integrate these findings to form a cohesive argument. Be alert to conflicting information, examining why discrepancies might exist.

21.3 Writing the review

Writing the literature review requires structuring your findings in a clear, coherent manner. Maintain an objective tone, and ground your conclusions in the reviewed studies. The best reviews cover all significant literature, providing a balanced representation of the topic.

As always, remember to use a specified citation style (e.g., IEEE or APA7) for accuracy and consistency, and proofread to correct any errors in citations. Using a bibliographic tool like Zotero can really help keep track of references, and links directly to Word enabling you to create an error-free bibliography.

21.4 Reading

The following book, which is linked in the module reading list, is a good general guide to writing literature review:

• Galvan, J. L. author. (2017). Writing literature reviews [internet resource] : a guide for students of the social and behavioral sciences (M. Galvan, Ed.; Seventh edition..). London : Routledge.