Krupp Library: Research 101: Write a Literature Review

What Is a Literature Review?

A literature review provides:

A critical overview of the scholarly research that has already been done on a topic.
A presentation of major issues or controversies associated with the topic.
A critical evaluation of the existing scholarly research.
An explanation of where your research study stands in relation to existing knowledge.
An explanation of your methodology for your research.

Note: A literature review is not just a summary of current research and thinking about a topic. A literature review requires you to take a critical, global view of your topic. It is the part of your research paper where you compare and critique existing scholarly findings about a topic, and explain where your thinking fits into the existing research. For example: Are you addressing a gap in knowledge? Are you presenting a different perspective on a topic?

Resources for Writing a Literature Review

The Literature Review from the Writing Center at CSU Bakersfield.
This helpful guide takes you step-by-step through the process of writing a literature review.

Literature Review Playlist from Scribbr
A series of 6 short videos from Scribbr that will take you through the process of writing a literature review.
Writing a Literature Review
This guide from the Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University explains the structure and content of a literature review with links to related research resources.

Placement of a Literature Review in a Research Study

Parts of a Research Study infographic created by Instruction and Liaison Librarian, Kadie Turcotte, at the McQuade Library, Merrimack College. Reproduced with permission.