The document provides an overview of what a literature review is and its purpose. It defines a literature review as an evaluative critique and analysis of previous research on a particular topic that brings the reader up to date on current knowledge and identifies gaps. A literature review critically analyzes and synthesizes past work, compares theories and findings, and discusses significant academic literature on the topic. It explores past and current work in a brief but thorough manner. The document outlines reasons to conduct a literature review such as identifying gaps, building on past work, and providing context for one's own research. It also describes different types of literature reviews including stand-alone articles, research proposals, and reports.

1. Literature ReviewLiterature Review
MD AZIZURMD AZIZUR
RAHMANRAHMAN
azizurmlis@gmail.comazizurmlis@gmail.com
“If I have seen farther than others, it is because
I stood on the shoulders of giants.”
-- Isaac Newton

2. What is LiteratureWhat is Literature
Review?Review?
 A literature review is an evaluative critique of the body ofA literature review is an evaluative critique of the body of
literature on a particular topic. It brings the reader up-to-dateliterature on a particular topic. It brings the reader up-to-date
on the range of ideas and knowledge that have beenon the range of ideas and knowledge that have been
established on a topic, identifying contrasting and opposingestablished on a topic, identifying contrasting and opposing
views as well identifying any gaps in the current knowledge.views as well identifying any gaps in the current knowledge.
 A literature review is an overview of previous research on theA literature review is an overview of previous research on the
author’s topic. It identifies and describes and sometimesauthor’s topic. It identifies and describes and sometimes
analyzes related research that has already been done andanalyzes related research that has already been done and
summarizes the state of knowledge about the topic.summarizes the state of knowledge about the topic.

3. What is LiteratureWhat is Literature
Review?Review?
 A literature review is a critical, analytical summary and synthesis of theA literature review is a critical, analytical summary and synthesis of the
current knowledge of a topic.current knowledge of a topic.
 It should compare and relate different theories, findings, and so on,It should compare and relate different theories, findings, and so on, ratherrather
thanthan just summarize them individually.just summarize them individually.
 It should discuss all the more significant academic literature important forIt should discuss all the more significant academic literature important for
that focus.that focus.
 The organization of a review depends on the type and purpose of theThe organization of a review depends on the type and purpose of the
review, as well as on the specific field or topic being reviewed.review, as well as on the specific field or topic being reviewed.
 It is a relatively brief but thorough exploration of pastIt is a relatively brief but thorough exploration of past andand current work on acurrent work on a
topic.topic.

4. What is LiteratureWhat is Literature
Review?Review?
 Literature reviews are usually organized thematically, such as differentLiterature reviews are usually organized thematically, such as different
theoretical approaches, methodologies, or specific issues or conceptstheoretical approaches, methodologies, or specific issues or concepts
involved in the topic— rather than a chronological listing of previous work.involved in the topic— rather than a chronological listing of previous work.
 A thematic organization makes it easier to examine contrastingA thematic organization makes it easier to examine contrasting
perspectives, approaches, methodologies, findings, etc., and to analyzeperspectives, approaches, methodologies, findings, etc., and to analyze
the strengths and weaknesses of, and point out any gaps in previousthe strengths and weaknesses of, and point out any gaps in previous
research.research.
 TheThe heartheart of a literature review offer new interpretations, theoreticalof a literature review offer new interpretations, theoretical
approaches, or other ideas. If it’s intended to be part of a researchapproaches, or other ideas. If it’s intended to be part of a research
proposal or report, it should demonstrate the relationship of the research toproposal or report, it should demonstrate the relationship of the research to
others' work.others' work.

5. Why do to a LiteratureWhy do to a Literature
Review?Review?
 to identify gaps in the literatureto identify gaps in the literature
 to avoid you from making the same mistakes others didto avoid you from making the same mistakes others did
 to carry on from where others have already reachedto carry on from where others have already reached
 to identify other people working in the same fieldsto identify other people working in the same fields
 to increase your breadth of knowledge of your subject areato increase your breadth of knowledge of your subject area
 to identify seminal works in your areato identify seminal works in your area
 to provide the intellectual context for your own workto provide the intellectual context for your own work
 to identify opposing viewsto identify opposing views
 to put your work into perspectiveto put your work into perspective
 to demonstrate that you can access previous work in an areato demonstrate that you can access previous work in an area
 to identify information and ideas that may be relevant to your projectto identify information and ideas that may be relevant to your project
 to identify methods that could be relevant to your projectto identify methods that could be relevant to your project

6. Functions of a LiteratureFunctions of a Literature
ReviewReview
 To justify your choice of research question, theoretical orTo justify your choice of research question, theoretical or
conceptual framework, and method.conceptual framework, and method.
 To establish the importance of the topic.To establish the importance of the topic.
 To provide background information needed to understand theTo provide background information needed to understand the
study.study.
 To show readers you are familiar with significant and/or up-to-To show readers you are familiar with significant and/or up-to-
date research relevant to the topic.date research relevant to the topic.
 To establish your study as one link in a chain of research thatTo establish your study as one link in a chain of research that
is developing knowledge in your fieldis developing knowledge in your field..

7. Planning Literature ReviewPlanning Literature Review
Questions you need to ask yourself when you are planningQuestions you need to ask yourself when you are planning
your Literature Reviewyour Literature Review::
 What has been done in your field of research? What principlesWhat has been done in your field of research? What principles
of selection are you going to use?of selection are you going to use?
 How are you going to organise your discussion?How are you going to organise your discussion?
ChronologicalChronological,, thematic, conceptual, methodologicalthematic, conceptual, methodological, or a, or a
combinationcombination? What section headings will you use?? What section headings will you use?
 How do the various studies relate to each other? What preciseHow do the various studies relate to each other? What precise
contribution(s) do they make to the field? What are theircontribution(s) do they make to the field? What are their
limitations?limitations?
 How does your own research fit into, what has already beenHow does your own research fit into, what has already been
done?done?

8. Types of LiteratureTypes of Literature
ReviewsReviews
1. Stand-Alone Literature Review Articles1. Stand-Alone Literature Review Articles
 The goal is to evaluate and compare previous research on a topic toThe goal is to evaluate and compare previous research on a topic to
provide an analysis of what is currently known and to reveal controversies,provide an analysis of what is currently known and to reveal controversies,
weaknesses, and gaps in current work—pointing to directions for futureweaknesses, and gaps in current work—pointing to directions for future
research.research.
 Writing a stand-alone review can be an effective way to get a good hold onWriting a stand-alone review can be an effective way to get a good hold on
the topic and to develop ideas for your own research. E.g., the basis ofthe topic and to develop ideas for your own research. E.g., the basis of
your research project can provide contrasting theoretical approaches oryour research project can provide contrasting theoretical approaches or
conflicting interpretations of findings.conflicting interpretations of findings.
 Can find evidence supporting one interpretation vs. another, or can youCan find evidence supporting one interpretation vs. another, or can you
propose an alternative interpretation that overcomes their limitations?propose an alternative interpretation that overcomes their limitations?
 Examples -Examples - Annual ReviewsAnnual Reviews:: http://www.annualreviews.org/http://www.annualreviews.org/ ;; ComputingComputing
Reviews:Reviews: http://reviews.com/http://reviews.com/

9. Types of LiteratureTypes of Literature
ReviewsReviews
2.2. Research ProposalResearch Proposal
 A proposal for a PhD dissertation, a thesis, or a project report.A proposal for a PhD dissertation, a thesis, or a project report.
 It point out the current issues and questions about a topic, is aIt point out the current issues and questions about a topic, is a
crucial part of demonstrating how your proposed research willcrucial part of demonstrating how your proposed research will
contribute to the field,contribute to the field,
 Convince your thesis committee to allow you or a grant fundingConvince your thesis committee to allow you or a grant funding
agency to pay for your research project.agency to pay for your research project.
3.3. Research Report in the WorkplaceResearch Report in the Workplace
 Your thesis or paper to present your findings, include a literatureYour thesis or paper to present your findings, include a literature
review to provide the context in which your work is a contribution.review to provide the context in which your work is a contribution.
 Your report should show relationship with to others' work, inYour report should show relationship with to others' work, in
addition to detailing the methods, results, etc. of your research.addition to detailing the methods, results, etc. of your research.

10. Common Structure of LiteratureCommon Structure of Literature
ReviewsReviews
According to Dr. Mankoff(2003), the Common Structure of Literature ReviewsAccording to Dr. Mankoff(2003), the Common Structure of Literature Reviews
is:is:
1.1. AbstractAbstract - Brief summary of the contents of the article.- Brief summary of the contents of the article.
2.2. IntroductionIntroduction - introducing the topic, the purpose; statement of research- introducing the topic, the purpose; statement of research
question(s),question(s),
3.3. Literature reviewLiterature review - A critical assessment of the work done so far on this- A critical assessment of the work done so far on this
topic.topic.
4.4. MethodsMethods - How the studies were carried out.- How the studies were carried out.
5.5. ResultsResults - What was found at the end of the study.- What was found at the end of the study.
6.6. DiscussionDiscussion - What do the results mean.- What do the results mean.
7.7. ConclusionConclusion - how the results relates to the work reviewed in the literature- how the results relates to the work reviewed in the literature
review; also point to directions for further work in the area.review; also point to directions for further work in the area.

11. What is the Literature?What is the Literature?
The "literature" to be reviewed may include any of the following:The "literature" to be reviewed may include any of the following:
 Academic, scholarly journal articles (i.e., peer-reviewed)Academic, scholarly journal articles (i.e., peer-reviewed)
 BooksBooks
 Conference ProceedingsConference Proceedings
 DissertationsDissertations
 PatentsPatents
 StandardsStandards
 Technical ReportsTechnical Reports
 Websites and other Internet ResourcesWebsites and other Internet Resources

12. Information Sources toInformation Sources to
covercover
1.1. Primary SourcesPrimary Sources:: Lab Reports, Field Notes,Lab Reports, Field Notes,
Measurements, etc., Conference Proceedings, Articles ofMeasurements, etc., Conference Proceedings, Articles of
Original Research, Dissertations, Patents, Internet, etc.Original Research, Dissertations, Patents, Internet, etc.
2.2. Secondary Sources -Secondary Sources - Books, review articles - theseBooks, review articles - these
sources are usually the focus of a literature review.sources are usually the focus of a literature review.
3.3. Tertiary -Tertiary - Encyclopaedias, indexes, textbooks, referenceEncyclopaedias, indexes, textbooks, reference
sources, summaries, databases, Bibliography ofsources, summaries, databases, Bibliography of
bibliographies.bibliographies.

13. Writing the LiteratureWriting the Literature
ReviewReview
Keep these points in mind as you are writing your literatureKeep these points in mind as you are writing your literature
review:review:
 What is the purpose for the literature review and make sureWhat is the purpose for the literature review and make sure
your reviewyour review specificallyspecifically addresses your purpose(s).addresses your purpose(s).
 Write as you read, and revise as you readWrite as you read, and revise as you read moremore..
 You need to reorganize and revise it all later.You need to reorganize and revise it all later.
 Having drafts and annotations to work with will also makeHaving drafts and annotations to work with will also make
writing the full review easier.writing the full review easier.
 The first draft is for you, rewrite it for others to tell them whatThe first draft is for you, rewrite it for others to tell them what
you think.you think.

14. General Steps for Writing aGeneral Steps for Writing a
Literature ReviewLiterature Review
1. Stage 1: Annotated Bibliography1. Stage 1: Annotated Bibliography..
 Read articles, books, etc., on your topic, write a brief critical synopsis ofRead articles, books, etc., on your topic, write a brief critical synopsis of
each.each.
 You prepare an abstract or annotation of each source you read.You prepare an abstract or annotation of each source you read.
 The goal is to get accurate critical summaries of each individual work.The goal is to get accurate critical summaries of each individual work.
2. Stage 2: Thematic Organization2. Stage 2: Thematic Organization..
 Find common themes in the works you read and organize them intoFind common themes in the works you read and organize them into
categories.categories.
 Each work in your review can fit into one category or sub-theme ofEach work in your review can fit into one category or sub-theme of
main theme or fit in more than one place.main theme or fit in more than one place.
 Write some brief paragraphs outlining your categories, how in generalWrite some brief paragraphs outlining your categories, how in general
the works in each category relate to each other.the works in each category relate to each other.
 E.g. User InterfacesE.g. User Interfaces

15. General Steps for Writing aGeneral Steps for Writing a
Literature ReviewLiterature Review
3. Stage 3: More Reading3. Stage 3: More Reading..
 Identify specific researchers who are important to the field orIdentify specific researchers who are important to the field or
methodologies you were not aware of. E.g.methodologies you were not aware of. E.g.
 Look for more literature by those authors, on those methodologies, etc.Look for more literature by those authors, on those methodologies, etc.
 Set aside less relevant areas or articles which you initially selected.Set aside less relevant areas or articles which you initially selected.
4. Stage 4: Write Individual Sections4. Stage 4: Write Individual Sections..
 Use your annotations to write a section which discusses the articlesUse your annotations to write a section which discusses the articles
relevant to that theme.relevant to that theme.
 Focus your writing on the theme of that section, showing how theFocus your writing on the theme of that section, showing how the
articles relate to each other and to the theme,articles relate to each other and to the theme, rather thanrather than focusing yourfocusing your
writing on each individual article.writing on each individual article.
 Use the articles as evidence to support your critique of the theme ratherUse the articles as evidence to support your critique of the theme rather
than using the theme as an angle to discuss each article individually.than using the theme as an angle to discuss each article individually.

16. General Steps for Writing aGeneral Steps for Writing a
Literature ReviewLiterature Review
5. Stage 5: Integrate Sections5. Stage 5: Integrate Sections..
 Now tie them together with an introduction, sections basedNow tie them together with an introduction, sections based
on theme, conclusion, and some additions/ revisions in theon theme, conclusion, and some additions/ revisions in the
sections to show how they relate to each other and to yoursections to show how they relate to each other and to your
overall theme.overall theme.

17. Specific Points to IncludeSpecific Points to Include
 Be specific and be succinctBe specific and be succinct. Briefly state specific findings. Briefly state specific findings
listed in an article, specific methodologies used in a study, orlisted in an article, specific methodologies used in a study, or
other important points.other important points.
 Be selectiveBe selective. Mention just the most important points in each. Mention just the most important points in each
work you review.work you review.
 Is it a current articleIs it a current article? claims, evidence, or arguments been? claims, evidence, or arguments been
superseded by more recent work? If it is not current, is itsuperseded by more recent work? If it is not current, is it
important for historical background?important for historical background?
 What specific claims are madeWhat specific claims are made? Are they stated clearly?? Are they stated clearly?

18. Specific Points to IncludeSpecific Points to Include
 What support is given for those claimsWhat support is given for those claims??
 What evidence and what type (experimental, statistical, anecdotal, etc) areWhat evidence and what type (experimental, statistical, anecdotal, etc) are
offered? Is the evidence relevant?offered? Is the evidence relevant?
 What arguments are given? What assumptions are made and are theyWhat arguments are given? What assumptions are made and are they
arranged?arranged?
 What is the source of the evidence or other informationWhat is the source of the evidence or other information??
 The author's own experiments, surveys, etc?The author's own experiments, surveys, etc?
 Government documents? How reliable are the sources?Government documents? How reliable are the sources?
 Does the author take into account contrary or conflicting evidenceDoes the author take into account contrary or conflicting evidence
and argumentsand arguments??
 What specific conclusions are drawnWhat specific conclusions are drawn??
 How does this article, argument, theory, etc, relate to other workHow does this article, argument, theory, etc, relate to other work??

19. ReadingsReadings
1.1. Lawrence A. Machi & Brenda T. McEvoy. The LiteratureLawrence A. Machi & Brenda T. McEvoy. The Literature
Review: Six Steps to Success. Corwin Press, 2008. ISBN-Review: Six Steps to Success. Corwin Press, 2008. ISBN-
10: 1412961351.10: 1412961351.
2.2. Jose L. Galva. Writing Literature Reviews: A Guide forJose L. Galva. Writing Literature Reviews: A Guide for
Students of the Social and Behavioral Sciences. ; 3 edition.Students of the Social and Behavioral Sciences. ; 3 edition.
Pyrczak Publishing, 2006. ISBN-10: 1884585663.Pyrczak Publishing, 2006. ISBN-10: 1884585663.