literature review

1. Conducting a Literature
Review in 5 Simple Steps
ANNA YANG, SCIENCE LIBRARIAN
LIBRARY AND LEARNING COMMONS
SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY

2. What is a literature review?
A literature review is…
► An analysis of scholarly work that
relates to your topic
► A representation of the literature that
provides a background on your topic
► An attempt to find the gaps or themes
in the literature
A literature review is NOT…
► Just a summary of sources
► A group of broad, unrelated sources
► “everything” that has been published
on a topic
► A book review

3. 5 Simple Steps to a Literature Review
1. Scope of your review
2. Finding your information
3. Evaluating your information
4. Organizing your information
5. Writing the literature review

4. Step 1: Scope of Your Review
► What is your research question?
► How many studies do you need to look at?
► How many sources does your assignment require?
► How comprehensive should this be?
► This depends on the area you’re looking at – how many years back are you
looking?

5. Step 2: Finding Your Information
► Identify your keywords – search strings/search strategy
► Identify potential databases for searching (e.g. Web of Science)
► Check your library’s research guide for selected databases
► Don’t forget to look at books and other types of sources (e.g. government
documents)
► Mine references of useful sources

6. Step 3: Evaluating Your Information
► Review the abstracts
► Summarize each source – authority, currency, coverage and
methodology
► Questions to help guide your analysis:
► What was the research question of the study you are reviewing? What was the
paper trying to discover?
► Does the research seem complete? Is the study sound?
► Are there conflicting theories? If so, what are they?

7. Step 4: Organizing Your Information
► Use a citation tool
► Zotero
► RefWorks – Use LibGuide
► Categorize your sources
► Chronology – publications based on a timeline
► Methodology – based on different methods conducted
► Themes – highlight reoccurring themes found
► Keep notes

8. Step 4: Organizing Your Information
► Organizing a literature review requires you to order your sources according
to a progression of ideas and content.

9. Step 5: Writing the Literature Review
► Establish the organizational structure of your literature review
► Break your sources into sections
► Things to remember:
► Use evidence
► Be selective
► Use quotes sparingly
► Use your voice

10. The Paper
► Introduction
► Explain your research topic
► Explain sources used
► Body
► Illustrate the problem in the field
► Identify gap in knowledge
► Define key terms and ideas
► Conclusion
► Further research
► Summary of theories
► Discuss the gap – significance

11. In-Class Activity
► Reviewing the Literature Review
► https://forms.gle/k3UbNgCVEzMUvz458

12. Key Takeaways
► Make sure your topic is manageable
► Use library databases
► Keep track of what sources you are using
► Identify and establish the flow of your literature review
► Read other literature reviews!

13. Contact
Anna Yang, Science Librarian
ayang3@scu.edu