Literature Reviews
A literature review is an evaluation of literature on a specified subject or topic area. It allows
you to develop your information seeking and critical appraisal skills.
General structure
Introduction (1-2 paragraphs)
• Background/context
• focus/boundaries
• overview
Body
• Sections logically arranged
• Each section contains brief critical overview of literature
• Sources cited to support points
• Avoid grouping sources with similar findings, too list -like
Conclusion (1 paragraph)
• Reiterates assessment of literature
• Should discuss shortcomings and/or gaps
Three defining parts to a good literature review
1. Extensive reference to related research
2. Connections made between sources
3. Position of your research within context of existing
Purpose of a Literature review
• Introduce relevant terminology and definitions
• Identify areas of prior scholarship to prevent duplication of effort
• Identify the need for additional research
• Describe the relationship of each work to others
• Identify new ways to interpret prior research
• Reveal any gaps that exist in the literature
• Resolve conflicts amongst seemingly contradictory results
• Locate your own research within context of existing literature
Common errors
• Exclusion of key studies/authors
• Inclusion of irrelevant materials
• Out-of-date material
• Poor organizational structure
• Lack of synthesis (listing studies, authors)
• Lack of critical appraisal
Organise and manage your literature
Ways to organise
• Topic/thematic
• Method
• Chronologically
• Authors perspective “school of thought”
Ways to manage
• File naming convention
• Reference management tools e.g. RefWorks, Endnote
• Secure storage/back-ups
• Literature as data
Finding information
Start by defining your research query so you can develop the keywords/phrases in search strategies
for your topic.
Mind maps can be a useful tool in organising your questions and ideas:
Coggle mind maps https://coggle.it Wise maps http://www.wisemapping.com/
1. Write out your research question
2. Underline keywords, concepts or phrases
3. Identify questions that flow from the keywords and research question as a whole
4. Look for follow up questions and links
5. Think sequencing/ordering of these ideas/questions
Tips for Searching
Concept table Example:
First Nation
Repatriation
Head's
Indigenous
Reinstatement
Moko Mōkai
Maori
Return
Taonga
Your research topic, or, research question will affect your research strategy. This will drive the types
of resources that you will need to use in your review. Does your topic require more current published
materials from databases? Or, does your topic require a more in-depth analysis from monographs or
books? Be aware of your topic and research question needs, and, how this will affect your search
strategy(ies).
Building on your research
Use a literature-searching strategy that builds on information you already have. Start with a relevant
book or article and try some of the following:
• Look at the reference list or bibliography for more material.
• Take note of the words used in the text of your book or article. They may provide useful new
search terms to use when searching for more literature.
• Find your book or article in the library Catalogue or databases. Use the subject headings
listed in the details section of Catalogue or database records to find similar material.
• Look up other works by the author(s).
• Search for your book or article on Google Scholar to find other researchers who have cited
the author in their research.
Example Search logs:
Make sure that you are taking note of the resources that you are accessing, the limiters that you have
used in your searches (such as years etc), the search terms and strategies utilized within your searches
(please refer to slide 15), the amount of results you get from your searches and any notes that will
help you with future searches.
Resource/
Database
Years
Search Terms or
Strategies used
# of Hits/
Results
Notes
Evaluating literature
Key considerations
1. Abstract appears on the first page of an article and gives a brief summary of the articles
content
2. 8 pages or more is usually a good indication of depth and breadth
3. Extensive citing and referencing shows that the article has authority and credibility
4. Articles usually include brief biographies of the authors, relevant qualifications and
affiliations
5. An academic article will have a defined structure with an introduction and a conclusion
along with other sections. They may also include tables and other diagrams
6. The articles should contain topic specific terminology and assume prior knowledge of
the subject matter
7. The peer review process ensures an article is suitable to be used for research. Check
the Ulrich database to see if the journal is peer reviewed
In Summary
The Article
The Author
Does it have an abstract?
Is it of substantial length?
Is there extensive citing and referencing?
Is there a clear structure and format?
Was it published in a peer-review journal?
Reputable publisher?
Are they a topic expert?
Do they use appropriate language and voice?
Have they been recommended?
Do they have a good reputation?
Remember using academic sources is crucial to showing your understanding of your topic, and, the
library’s books and databases are the best source of information for your assignment.
Reviewing resources:
C
Currency
The timeliness of the information
R
Relevance
The importance of the information to your needs
A
Authority
The source of the information
A
Accuracy
The reliability, truthfulness & correctness of the content
P
Purpose
The reason the information exists
Writing – Key elements
Descriptive/Reporting
Interpretive/Critical
What happened
Ask & answer questions
What discussed
Analyse, explain & interpret
Synthesize information to deliver your
point of view
Analysis of literature
• Familiarize yourself with your data so you can describe and explain the content
• Search for patterns/themes across literature
• Interpret key findings
Interpretive writing = Language that highlights IMPORTANCE
• This shows that…
• This calls attention to…
• This is important because…
• This can be illustrated by….
Synthesis of literature
• Accurately reports information from the sources using a wide range of varying phrases and
sentences
• Organised in such a way that audience can immediately see where information from sources
overlaps
• Allows your research argument and critique to be understood within context of research
area
Critique
Deficit critique
Positive critique
Highlights weaknesses and limitations
Highlights research strengths – viewed as
pivotal/important/successful research
Language of critique: http://www.phrasebank.manchester.ac.uk/being-critical/
A layered approach: Description> Critique>Solution - Allows you to use your own voice
Reporting Verbs
A well written review contains many verbs that are used to introduce references. These are called
reporting verbs. Reporting verbs can indicate either the authors personal viewpoint, your viewpoint
regarding what the author says, and/or the author’s viewpoint regarding other literature.
Try to vary your use of these verbs (feel free to find or think of others), using the same ones can
often be boring for the reader and your audience. Doing so demonstrates academic rigour.
The following are just some examples of reporting verbs that can assist you in your literature review.
Suggest (that)
Recent studies outlined by Leonard et al (1999) suggest that personality and
disposition play an equally important role in motivation.
Argue (that)
Leonard et al (1999) argue that there are three elements of self-perception.
Contend(s)
Mullens (1994) contends that motivation to work well is usually related to job
satisfaction.
Outline
Recent studies outlined by Mullins (1994) suggest that personality and
disposition play an equally important role in motivation.
Focus on
The early theories of Maslow and McGregor (Robbins et al, 1998) focused on
personal needs and wants as the basis for motivation.
Define(s)
Eunson (1987, p. 67) defines motivation as 'what is important to you'.
Conclude(s) (that)
Reviewing the results of the case study, Taylor (1980) concludes that the
theories of job enrichment and employee motivation do work.
State
He further states that there is an increasing importance on the role of
autonomy and self-regulation of tasks in increasing motivation.
Maintains (that)
Mullins (1994) maintains that job enrichment came from Herzber's two factor
theory.
Found (that)
Mullins (1994) found that there is an increasing importance on the role of
autonomy and self-regulation of tasks in improving motivation.
Promote(s)
This promotes the idea that tension and stress are important external sources
of motivation, which can be eliminated by completing certain tasks.
Establish(ed) (by)
As established by Csikszentmihalyi (Yair 2000, p. 2) 'the more students feel in
command of their learning, the more they fulfil their learning potential'.
Asserts (that)
Locke's Goal Setting Theory asserts that setting specific goals tends to
encourage work motivation (Robbins et al, 1998).
Show(s)
Various theories of motivation show employers that there are many factors that
influence employees work performance.
Adapted from RMIT University Study and Learning Centre Literature review.
Examples of Synthesis throughout a Literature Review:
Please read through these colour coded examples to recognize the synthesis in the various
examples.
Look at how the introduction has been broken up into its parts.
This is a good example of a body paragraph because it starts with a topic sentence that introduces the
main idea of the paragraph (which hopefully flows logically from the preceeding paragraph). It then
presents arguments gathered from the literature that is supportive and contrasting. Finally ending
with a concluding statement.
Note: not all paragraphs need to have contrasting arguments, by including some, you are
demonstrating that you have read widely.
Look at how the example paragraph has been broken up into its parts.
As well as presenting the information from the literature you also need to ensure that you are
including your own analysis and interpretation of it. Read the following paragraph and see how the
arguments have been intergrated and synthesised into the paragraph along with the students
analysis.
Analysis is NOT just an opinion, it needs to be supported by the literature.
Look at how the example sentence is broken down into its parts.
Note: Not all paragraphs need to contain an analysis of the information, but to include some when
appropriate shows that you have been thinking critically about what you have read.
Remember, just like an essay you need to include a paragraph or two (do not limit yourself to this
amount, some reviews will need more) that sums up the main points that has emerged throughout
the body of your literature review.
Useful Library Contacts
Research Services
Research Services Advisers provide workshops, online resources and one-to-one research
consults for post-graduates.
To request a consult state faculty/ level of study & topic (if possible)
https://www.library.auckland.ac.nz/contact-us/
Learning & Teaching Development
Provides resources and advice for students to develop academic skills
https://www.library.auckland.ac.nz/about-us/student-learning-services
English Language Enrichment
Provides English language development for improving academic writing skills
https://www.library.auckland.ac.nz/about-us/ele
Inclusive Learning
Provides learning assessments, recommendations and academic development opportunities
for students with learning/invisible disabilities (e.g. dyslexia)
https://www.library.auckland.ac.nz/services/student-learning/learning-disabilities-students
Te Fale Pouāwhina
Provides student-centred service based on kaupapa Māori and Pacific principles. Focus is on
academic skills development at both undergraduate & postgraduate levels
https://www.library.auckland.ac.nz/services/student-learning/tfp
Ask Us
Queries, contact point concerning library services & resources
https://www.library.auckland.ac.nz/contact-us/
Resources
Literature Review guides
Academic Writing, Writing the Literature Review, University of Melbourne.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70n2-gAp7J0
Guide to master’s research, Literature review, University of Auckland.
https://flexiblelearning.auckland.ac.nz/masters-research/6_1.html
HEDC, Writing a Literature Review, University of Otago.
https://www.otago.ac.nz/hedc/otago615355.pdf
Reviewing the literature: A short research study guide for students. Queensland University
https://my.uq.edu.au/files/11020/guide-literature-review-research-students.pdf
Ridley, Diana. The Literature Review: A Step-by-step Guide for Students. 2nd ed. London: SAGE,
2012. Print. Sage Study Skills.
https://catalogue.library.auckland.ac.nz/permalink/f/1ilac6l/uoa_alma21190313470002091
Search strategy
Creative Arts & Industries Subject Guides
https://www.library.auckland.ac.nz/guides/creative
Developing a search strategy from a research question. Charles Stuart University
https://libguides.csu.edu.au/c.php?g=476545&p=4949988
Researching for your literature review. Monash University
https://guides.lib.monash.edu/researching-for-your-literature-review/2
Data management & Referencing
https://www.library.auckland.ac.nz/study-skills/referencing#referencing
Evaluation
Ulrich database – to check peer review status of a journal
https://www.library.auckland.ac.nz/databases/record/?record=ulrichs
Writing
Command words. Massey University
http://owll.massey.ac.nz/academic-writing/command-words.php
Phrasebank – University of Manchester:
http://www.phrasebank.manchester.ac.uk
