The document provides guidance on conducting a literature review, outlining the purpose, process, structure and key elements including understanding previous research in the area, identifying gaps, and situating one's own research within the existing literature. It discusses starting with general background reading and note-taking before engaging in a more focused critical analysis and evaluation of sources directly related to the research topic. The literature review is meant to justify and provide context for the researcher's proposed study.

1. Literature Review
How your research
fits into the general
context and helps
explore a question.
Background Gaps /
possible
further
research
questions
My
research
question
?
?
? ?
Research Proposal
or
Thesis
or
Research Project
Themes, findings,
theories, debates,
focus on area etc.
Literature Review Types
Unanswered
questions,
conflicting
findings etc.
Literature Review Assignment
Lit
Review
Method
Results
Discussion
Etc.
Continues
or stops
here

2. Literature Review
Literature Review Process
Purpose
Start
Reading
Manage
Your
Notes
Focused
Reading
Writing

3. Literature Review
Literature Review Structure
General context
Gaps
My research
Themes, findings,
theories, debates,
focus on area etc.
Unanswered questions,
conflicting findings etc.
How your research fits into the
general context and helps explore
a question.
The
proportion of
these
depends on
your topic
and level

4. Literature Review
Literature Review Purpose
• Learn what has been done – main: findings,
debates, authors, theories etc.
• Find what interests you most – define focus
• Find a way of looking at the area – theories /
perspectives
• Find unanswered questions your research
could look at
• Get ideas for your research method
• Justify what you will research and how you
research it
For
You

5. Literature Review
Literature Review Purpose
• Understand what has been done
before in the area
• See where the unanswered
questions are
• Know how your study will help
explore the question
• Know how your study fits with
previous findings and theories
For
Your
Reader

6. Literature Review
Literature Review Start Reading
• Note taking
system
• Note where
you found it
• Place in file
system
• Note good
examples of
writing
• Notice more
key words,
authors,
sources,
theories etc.
• Might you go
in a new
direction?
•Skim (is it useful?)
•Print
•Highlight
•Understand main
topics
• Key words
• Introductions
• Authors
• Theories
Search
Read
Generally
Note &
File
Reflect

7. Literature Review
Literature Review Manage Your Notes
Find
In your
sources
Collect
In your
note
system
Use
In your
draft
• Highlights
• Summaries
• Questions etc.
• Note pages
• Endnote etc.
• Mind maps etc.
• Introduction
• Method
• Justify your
research

8. Literature Review
Literature Review Focused Reading
• Quotes
• Paraphrase
• What other
readings are
similar?
• File sources in
alphabetical
order
• Where in your
draft could
you use this
source?
• Does this give
you a new
direction?
• Read in more
detail
• Look for
particular
points closely
related to your
area
• Critically
evaluate
• Specific focus
on ideas &
methods
Search
Read
Critically
Note &
File
Reflect

9. Literature Review
Literature Review Writing
• Write regularly
• Write fresh
• Include time to ‘let it sit’, then come back
Block time
• Look at your notes
• Look at exemplars
• Design the sections
Outline
• General background: key ideas, terms, etc.
• Focus area: theory, methods, findings, etc.
• Your research: why, how, expectations, etc.
Write sections
• Add new things you find later
• Delete what becomes irrelevant
• Check structure & flow
Edit
Getfeedback!Getfeedback!

10. Literature Review
Literature Review Links
• Easy writing style
• Boxes with good practice, common pitfalls
• Covers key aspects of literature reviews
• Available online at Unitec Library
• Easy writing style
• Covers study skills for literature reviews
• Good examples of note taking
• Covers key aspects of literature reviews
• Available online at Unitec Library