A literature review is an explanation of what has been published on a subject by recognized researchers. Occasionally, you will be asked to write one as a separate assignment (sometimes in the form of an annotated bibliography, but more often it is part of the introduction to a research report, essay, thesis, or dissertation).
A survey of existing scholarship on your topic
Critical evaluation, not just a summary
Organizes research around themes, debates, methods
Identifies patterns, contradictions, and gaps
Builds a foundation for your own research
Demonstrates knowledge of the field
Shows how your research fits into existing work
Justifies your research question and methods
Highlights where further study is needed
Provides a framework for interpreting your results
Why it matters in quantitative sociology: Provides context for hypotheses, demonstrates awareness of empirical findings, supports methodological choices.
Before writing a literature review, ask yourself questions like these:
1. What is the specific thesis, problem, or research question that my review of literature helps to define?
2. What type of literature review am I conducting? Am I looking at issues of theory? methodology? policy? quantitative research (e.g. on the effectiveness of a new procedure)? qualitative research (e.g., studies )?
3. What is the scope of my literature review? What types of publications am I using (e.g., journals, books, government documents, popular media)? What discipline am I working in (e.g., management, organizational behavior, marketing)?
4. How good was my information seeking? Has my search been wide enough to ensure I've found all the relevant material? Has it been narrow enough to exclude irrelevant material? Is the number of sources I've used appropriate for the length of my paper?
5. Have I critically analyzed the literature I use? Do I follow through a set of concepts and questions, comparing items to each other in the ways they deal with them? Instead of just listing and summarizing items, do I assess them, discussing strengths and weaknesses?
6. Have I cited and discussed studies contrary to my perspective?
7. Will the reader find my literature review relevant, appropriate, and useful?
Search for the most recent articles that deal with your topic; many of them will summarize the prior literature in the area, saving you valuable time. Remember to attribute and cite all sources, even if you paraphrase!
Literature reviews can be overwhelming. You can't find everything. Just find the literature that gets discussed the most or is most relevant to your topic.
The goal of the literature review is to show that you understand the 'bigger picture' and can put your research and recommendations in the context of others working in the field.
Practice Citation Tracking!
If you find one key article that will help you build your own research, backward track by looking at the sources reference section, or forward track by using the upward pointing arrows on OneSearch or the "cited by" button on Google Scholar.
Backward Tracking
Forward Tracking
Tips for Citation Tracking:
Use the red arrows on OneSearch:
Use the "cited by" button on Google Scholar:
