How to Write a Literature Review in 3 Simple Steps

TL;DR

To write an effective literature review, follow these three steps: First, find relevant literature using tools like Google Scholar and university databases. Next, log and catalog your references, creating detailed notes for easy access. Finally, synthesize the information, outline your review, and write a complete draft, focusing on clarity and coherence rather than perfection.

Transcript

Hey guys welcome to another episode of Grad Coach TV where we demystify the ivory tower world of academia and show you how to work smart and earn the big marks. My name is Derek and in this video we're gonna be looking at how to write a literature review - and most importantly how to do that in three pretty straightforward simple steps. Now... Read More

Key Insights

• A literature review serves to demonstrate your understanding of the existing research and identify gaps for originality in your study.
• Finding relevant literature is crucial; utilize Google Scholar, university databases, snowballing, and other dissertations for comprehensive research.
• Logging references into management software like Mendeley or Zotero ensures organized citation management for your dissertation.
• Cataloguing literature with detailed notes in a spreadsheet helps in sorting and filtering essential information for easy access.
• Synthesizing information involves understanding how different pieces of literature connect and support your research narrative.
• Outlining your literature review before writing ensures a coherent structure, whether chronological or thematic, for effective communication.
• The first draft of your literature review should prioritize completion over perfection; refine it through iterations and feedback.
• Incorporating feedback from peers or supervisors is vital for improving the clarity and strength of your literature review.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the primary purpose of a literature review?

The primary purpose of a literature review is to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the existing research related to your topic, identify gaps that your research can fill, and establish the originality and necessity of your study.

Q: How can you efficiently find relevant literature for your review?

Efficiently finding relevant literature involves using Google Scholar for initial searches, utilizing your university's library database for accessing full articles, employing the snowballing technique to explore references in core articles, and reviewing other dissertations to find additional sources.

Q: Why is cataloguing literature important in the review process?

Cataloguing literature is crucial as it helps organize vast amounts of information into a searchable database, allowing you to easily sort and filter articles by key topics, methodologies, and variables, which is essential for writing a coherent and comprehensive literature review.

Q: What should you consider when synthesizing literature?

When synthesizing literature, consider how different studies connect, the agreements and disagreements among researchers, and how these insights relate to your research questions. This synthesis helps in developing a cohesive narrative for your literature review.

Q: What are the two main ways to structure a literature review?

The two main ways to structure a literature review are chronologically, which follows the development of research over time, and thematically, which organizes the review based on key themes, drivers, or variables relevant to the research questions.

Q: Why is outlining important before writing the literature review?

Outlining is important because it helps you organize your thoughts, ensuring a clear and logical flow of information. This preparation prevents disorganized writing and aids in effectively communicating your understanding and analysis of the literature.

Q: What approach should you take when drafting the literature review?

When drafting the literature review, focus on getting all relevant content down without striving for perfection. Aim for a complete first draft that captures your main arguments, which can then be refined and improved through subsequent edits and feedback.

Q: How can feedback improve your literature review?

Feedback from peers, supervisors, or research specialists can highlight unclear sections, strengthen arguments, and ensure that your review is comprehensive and well-structured. External perspectives help refine your work and address any gaps or weaknesses in your analysis.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The video provides a step-by-step guide on writing a literature review, emphasizing the importance of understanding its purpose, sourcing relevant literature, and organizing it effectively.

• Finding literature involves using various methods like Google Scholar, university libraries, and reviewing other dissertations to gather high-quality sources.

• The final steps include outlining and writing the literature review, focusing on building a coherent narrative and refining it through feedback.