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What this guide covers
The literature review process involves a number of steps.
This guide focuses on:
- searching
- storing
- organising
- evaluating.
What is a literature review?
A literature review is a survey and critical analysis of what has been written on a particular topic, theory, question or method.
"In writing the literature review, the purpose is to explore what knowledge and ideas have been established on a topic, what approaches and viewpoints have been adopted, and what are their strengths and weaknesses."
Source: "Focus and frame". (2008). In Eriksson, P. & Kovalainen, A. Introducing Qualitative Methods: Qualitative methods in business research (pp. 44). London: SAGE Publications Ltd. doi: 10.4135/9780857028044.
Literature review resources
Get an overview on doing a literature review:
- Sage research methods online - Literature review methods mapInformation on the literature review methodology with links to further resources - the Project Planner, books, articles, videos and more.
- Ten simple rules for writing a literature reviewGives 10 tips on how to approach and carry out a literature review. By Pautasso M (2013) Ten Simple Rules for Writing a Literature Review. PLoS Comput Biol9(7): e1003149.
Books
- The literature review. In: Doing your undergraduate programThis chapter looks at the purpose of literature reviews, how it is done, setting the boundaries of your search and more.
The Literature Review: Six steps to success by Publication Date: 2022Using its six-step model, you'll narrow your research topic, focus your literature search, negotiate the myriad of books, periodicals, and reports about your topic-and, of course, write the review.
Conducting your literature review by Publication Date: 2020This book is a step-by-step guide to writing a literature review, and includes tips for modifying the process as needed depending on your audience, purpose, and goals.
7 steps to a comprehensive literature review by Publication Date: 2016This dynamic guide to doing literature reviews demystifies the process in seven steps to show researchers how to produce a comprehensive literature review.
- More books on literature reviewsA selection of literature review books available via UQ Library Search.
Types of literature reviews
The type of literature review you do will depend on a variety of factors:
- Your discipline
- The purpose - undergraduate assessment, PHD thesis, journal article?
- Your lecturer or supervisor's requirements.
Always follow the guidelines outlined by your lecturer or supervisor or consult the instructions for authors (for journal articles), when conducting your literature review.
Types of literature reviews
- Narrative or traditional literature review:
- is an overview of the significant literature on a topic
- typically includes a critical analysis of each work included
- demonstrates the reviewers knowledge of the topic.
- Annotated bibliography:
- is a list of citations of research sources (books, journal articles, websites etc) on a topic
- includes a brief summary and analysis or evaluation of each citation = the annotation.
- Systematic literature review:
- a critical assessment of all research studies on a particular research question
- has specific criteria for collecting and evaluating the literature
- includes a synthesis of the findings of the included studies.
- Systematic quantitative literature review
- This method developed by Griffith University's School of Environment bridges the gap between traditional narrative review methods and meta-analyses to enable students to produce results that are reliable, quantifiable and reproducible.
What is the difference between a literature review and a systematic review?
The requirements of narrative literature reviews are usually quite different than systematic reviews. However, you may be required to adopt some of the characteristics of a systematic approach when doing your literature review. Check the guidelines or criteria that have been set by your supervisor so you know what is expected of you.
Characteristics of reviews
| Characteristic | Narrative | Systematic |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Presents the significant literature, or a sample of the literature, on a topic | A comprehensive, systematic search for all the relevant literature on a topic must be conducted |
| Search strategy | Search strategy does not have to be included | Details of the search strategy are included |
| Inclusion/exclusion criteria | The criteria for selecting what literature to include does not have to be documented | Inclusion/exclusion criteria for selecting the literature is documented and defined in advance |
| Quality and methodology | The quality and methodology of the literature may not affect the decision to include it | Comprehensive assessment of the quality and methodology of each study is conducted to decide on inclusion |
| Presentation of included literature | A summary of the included literature is provided | A synthesis of the findings of all the included studies is provided |
| Interpretation | The reviewer’s own beliefs may influence their interpretation of the findings | The reviewer must present an unbiased, objective interpretation of the findings |
- Meeting the review family: Exploring review types and associated information retrieval requirementsThis article defines different review types and discusses appropriate search methods for each type.
Related information and guides
- Writing literature reviews - Student SupportStudent Support provides information on how to write effective literature reviews.
- Writing skillsLearn strategies for good writing from the Graduate School.
- Systematic reviewsAn overview of systematic reviews and resources to support producing one.
- Subject guidesSee recommended resources in different subject areas.
- Grey literatureFind literature that is not available in traditional channels of publishing and distribution.
- How to find guidesTechniques and resources to find specific information formats.