The Literature review
- identifies and synthesises the literature on a specific subject
- critically evaluates research results, and the way in which the research was conducted
- can be part of the early stages of a research project, or is sometimes written as a stand-alone document
Choosing a Topic
Your chosen topic will provide a base for constructing your research question.
Your lecturer may assign a topic for you. However, if you need to identify your own topic:
- Undertake background reading from a variety of sources (books, journals, multimedia sources etc)
- Strike a balance between broad and narrow topics: too broad can make the review unmanageable; too narrow will limit the amount of literature available
- Aim for a topic that has an existing body of research publications
Formulating the Research Question
Use your background reading of the topic to generate ideas for your research question. Think about:
- Specific areas of the topic that interest you
- Gaps in the research that were emphasised in your reading
- The literature that is available on your topic
Most importantly, discuss your research question with your lecturer.
How to Structure a Literature Review
A literature review is a summary and evaluation of research on a specific topic. It shows how the research relates to your study. Here’s how to structure one:
1. Introduction
- Explain the purpose of the review.
- Define the topic and scope (e.g., what is included and excluded).
- Outline the structure of your review.
2. Body
- Organize research into themes or categories.
- Compare and contrast the findings of different studies.
- Identify gaps, trends, and debates in the research.
- Use subheadings to keep sections clear and focused.
3. Conclusion
- Summarize the main findings from the research.
- Highlight gaps or areas needing further study.
- Connect the review to your research question or project.
Example of a Structure
Topic: The Effects of Online Learning on Student Performance
- Introduction: Overview of online learning and its growing use in education.
- Theme 1: Studies on academic performance in online versus traditional settings.
- Theme 2: Research on student engagement and motivation.
- Theme 3: Challenges in online learning, such as technical issues or isolation.
- Conclusion: Summary of findings, gaps in research, and relevance to your project.
Tips for Writing a Literature Review
- Use clear and simple language to explain the research.
- Include references for all the studies you mention.
- Organize ideas logically, starting from general themes to specific details.
More Information
University of NSW - Getting started on your literature review
Charles Darwin Univesity - Writing a literature review
The University of Queensland - How to write a literature review
Writing and Referencing help
Referencing Fundamentals library guide
ERNI Easy Referencing Online referencing tool
Learning Skills One on one session
