Writing a literature review
A literature review involves a discussion of what has been published on a specific topic.
In general, literature reviews do not involve reviewing the entire content of an article or book. More usually, the focus is on a particular aspect of the subject being studied and the review seeks to reveal the views of many about a single topic.
This single topic may relate to:
- Definitions of what constitutes a particular problem
- Interpretation of evidence
- Research methodology
- Practical solutions
- Theoretical frameworks.
It may be necessary to look at the publication as a whole to carry out a proper critical analysis of the source. That is, you may need to consider the author's level of expertise, bias and other factors that influence his or her approach to the subject.
Librarian's Tip
