Literature Review Basics

What is the purpose of most literature reviews?
Most literature reviews provide the reader with a summary and synthesis of relevant past studies on a given topic. Not only does a well-written review give credibility to the author, it also allows him to set up the background for his own study.

What components make up a literature review?
A literature review contains a thesis statement and centers around a specific topic rather than on the sources that are used. It generally consists of the following three parts:
1. Introduction
2. Body (organized in chronological, thematic, or methodological order)
3. Conclusion
However, other sections relevant to the review (ex: background information, questions for further research, etc.) may be included if necessary.

What should be assessed in a literature review?
In assessing a literature review, an author and/or reader should make sure that it 1) centers around a specific research question or thesis, 2) summarizes and synthesizes both what is known and unknown about the topic, 3) identifies areas of controversy surrounding the topic, and 4) leads to questions for further research.

Where should you search to find relevant resources?
Resources for a literature review can be found in books, journals, newspaper articles, government documents, and websites. The quality of the resource, however, should be determined prior to its inclusion in a literature review. Some important areas to consider in determining the validity of a source are its date of publication, the citations used, and the author's background, qualifications, and/or associations.