A literature review is a descriptive, analytic summary of the existing material relating to a particular topic or area of study. The literature review process involves a systematic examination of prior scholarly works.

1. Argumentative Review

2. Integrative Review

3. Historical Review

4. Methodological Review

5. Systematic Review

6. Theoretical Review

The purpose of the literature review is to provide a critical written account of the current state of research on a selected topic:

• Identifies areas of prior scholarship.

• Places each source in the context of its contribution to the understanding of the specific issue, area of research, or theory under review.

• Describes the relationship of each source to the others that you have selected.

• Identifies new ways to interpret, and shed light on any gaps in, previous research.

• Points the way forward for further research.

The literature review should include the following:

• Objective of the literature review.

• Overview of the subject under consideration.

• Clear categorization of sources selected into those in support of your.

• particular position, those opposed, and those offering completely different arguments.

• Discussion of both the distinctiveness of each source and its similarities with the others.

1. Narrow your topic and select papers accordingly:

   Establish the keywords and search strategy

   1. Keywords 

      Specify the keywords clearly.

      Other ways to spell the keywords.

      Other words which mean the same thing (synonyms).

      Related keywords need to be included.

   2. Limits to apply:

      Date, language, age group, publication type 

   3. Operators will refine search:

      AND Will search for articles which contain all of the terms chosen.

      OR Will search for articles containing any of the terms (keywords) we chose.

      NOT excludes concepts, must be used with caution to avoid excluding relevant items.

2. Search for literature:

   1. Resources:

      Data bases: PubMed, Web of Science, Science direct etc. 

      Journals: The Lancet, BMJ, Nature, Science etc.

   2. Define your source selection criteria (ie. articles published between a specific date range, focusing on a specific geographic region, or using a specific methodology).

   3. Reference lists of recent articles and reviews can lead to other useful papers.

   4. Include any studies contrary to your point of view.

3. Read the selected articles thoroughly and evaluate them:

   Evaluate and synthesize the studies' findings and conclusions.

   Note the following:

   1. Assumptions some or most researchers seem to make.

   2. Methodologies, testing procedures, subjects, material tested researchers use.

   3. Experts in the field: names/labs that are frequently referenced.

   4. Conflicting theories, results, methodologies.

   5. Popularity of theories and how this has/has not changed over time.

4. Organize the selected papers using a table:

   Example shown in table 1.

5. Write the paper:

   Follow the organizational structure you developed above, including the headings and subheadings you constructed.