How to Conduct a Literature Review?

Conducting a proper literature review is essential for understanding the breadth of research studies in any field. This process involves evaluating research methodologies and findings to assess how different approaches contribute to our knowledge. A critical assessment of published literature is necessary to identify key works and their relevance to your central research question. To conduct a literature review effectively, define a specific research question then carefully examine abstracts to determine which studies are relevant for your research. Then, as you read each article, take meticulous notes on each research study, paying close attention to conflicting studies and gaps in the research.

Research funded by other institutions or governing bodies might be motivated by a particular research problem. However, the literature review is still important for providing a robust foundation upon which the researchers can build.

A comprehensive literature review synthesizes findings into a coherent narrative representing a larger paper’s background. It can involve analyzing significant research studies, funded projects, and loosely related studies to provide a thorough understanding of the topic. This process helps identify where more research is needed and frames the thought processes behind the research questions.

Ultimately, a well-conducted literature review supports your qualitative research paper and contributes to the academic community by mapping out the current state of knowledge and highlighting areas for further questions and investigation. Literature reviews are also valuable tools for other researchers who need to find a summary of the field of knowledge.

Defining your research scope

Identify your research question

An important step in all literature reviews is to define your research scope. This is typically done by formulating a specific research question, which will guide the focus and scope of your literature review. A well-defined research question helps avoid dead-end searches by ensuring that worthwhile studies can identified across multiple databases and that relevant sources are included in the search strategy. For any research project, having a central research question is essential. It is important to aim for comprehensiveness in your review, and having a concrete research question in mind can help you determine when you have reviewed enough articles to build a solid foundation for your research.

The research question forms the backbone of your literature review. It shapes the direction of your research and helps you stay focused on the relevant topics. A clear research question also aids in setting boundaries for your literature review, ensuring that you do not stray into unrelated areas. To formulate a research question, consider the main issues or problems within your area of interest. Reflect on what you aim to discover or understand through your research. A specific and well-defined research question will guide your literature search and analysis, making the review process more manageable and effective.

Determine the focus of your literature review

Once you have identified your research question, determine the focus of your literature review. This involves deciding on the breadth and depth of the review. Establish the significance of your research by showing that you have examined the breadth of knowledge and can justify your thesis or research questions.

To determine the scope, consider the comprehensiveness of your review. Will you include all available studies on your topic, or will you focus on a specific subset of literature? Clearly establishing the concepts, theories, or phenomena you are interested in can help you decide the scope of your specific study. Are you looking at the most recent studies, or do you need to include historical perspectives as well? Your literature review’s scope should align with your research goals and objectives. It should also be feasible given the time and resources available for your project.

The scope of your review will also influence the type of sources you include. Scholarly books, journal articles, dissertations, and conference papers are common sources for literature reviews. Depending on your topic, you might also include grey literature such as reports, policy documents, and working papers. Be sure to justify your choices and explain why certain types of literature are relevant to your research question.