what is a literature review?
a literature review is typically the section of a research paper, dissertation or thesis that considers the writing that other authors have already produced on the topic. a literature review may also occasionally be referred to as a literature search or a critical literature review. this latter term or label highlights that the central aim of a review is to critique, analyze, compare and contrast various writings on a given area.
literature review. (2011). in p. stokes, palgrave key concepts: key concepts in business and management research methods. basingstoke, uk: macmillan publishers ltd. retrieved from http://ezproxy.lakeheadu.ca/login?url=https://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/macbamm/literature_review/0?institutionid=7307
doing a literature review
doing a literature review
- consider the problem or research question
- search the literature using relevant databases
- evaluate the literature - determine the value of the sources
- analyze the findings
keep in mind:
- provenance - what are the author's credentials?
- methodology - what methodologies are being used
- objectivity - is the author objective?