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Literature Reviews
The purpose of a literature review

In general terms, a literature review sets the scene and provides context for your research. Your literature
review is an evaluation of the literature on your chosen topic. You will need to critically analyse the
strengths and weaknesses of the evidence put forward in the resources, make connections between the
different theories and concepts in the literature and summarise conflicting views and ideas.

Your literature review should provide the context for your research question and explain and support how
your investigation and findings will contribute to your subject area.

Key features

The requirements for your literature review will vary depending on your Faculty and discipline, and you
should always check the details with your supervisor. Requirements can vary and may feature:

 Identified terminology and methodology associated with the research.

 A synthesis of the research in relation to your topic – compare, contrast and critically appraise key
themes and areas of debate.
 Summary of the main theories and findings.
 What is known and what is unknown – is there a lack of evidence in the field? If so, why?
 Key authors involved with this topic.
 How existing literature relates to your research question – clarify relationships and connections.

The majority of literature reviews will have one of the three types of focuses (Cooper, 1984). Reviews may
be:

 Integrative (summarising past research based on overall conclusions of the past research)
 Theoretical (identifying and critiquing the ability of different theories to explain a
phenomenon)
 Methodological (highlighting different methodological approaches used in past research and
the contributions of each type of research)

Identifying the literature

 The scope of your review is clearly stated.

 All literature included is relevant to your topic.
 All seminal and important works are identified.
 Recent developments and emerging concepts are identified.

Structure of a literature review

A framework or structure of your literature review with headings and sub-headings should emerge as you
read, make notes, evaluate and summarise the information found.

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Your review of the literature may be:

 A stand-alone literature review.

 Part of the introduction to your work.
 Embedded in the discussion within each chapter of a dissertation or thesis.

Every piece of research is unique, but a literature review should be carefully structured and would usually
contain:

 Introduction – this should outline the range of your research and explain how you have organised
your literature review.
 Main body – this is where you will critically analyse the literature in detail, identifying common
themes, conflicting viewpoints etc. It should be structured using paragraphs and headings/
subheading where appropriate.
 Conclusions/Recommendations – features a summary of your main arguments/conclusions
resulting from your analysis of the literature. If you have identified any potential areas for further
research they should go here.
 Reference list/Bibliography – you are advised to check your module handbook for what is
required.

Research
You will need to demonstrate you have completed a detailed review of the literature using a wide range of
resources and depending on the scope of your research this could include: books, ebooks, journal
articles, reports and statistics.

 Take time to make a detailed list of all the keywords and combinations of your keywords and subject
terms that describe your topic. Keep a list of all your keywords, alternative terms and spelling
variations.
 Consult a thesaurus; many subject databases contain thesauri which can help you find alternative
terms, and more formal ways of describing a keyword, often known as subject headings, which can
help you find more relevant results.
 Use acronym search terms, for example BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation), DfE (Department
for Education).
 Consider a range of search techniques, for example Boolean, Truncation and Wildcards. You can
find more detail about effective searching techniques in the helpguides on Skills Plus.

Resources to search
 Search Library Search for books, ebooks, journals, conference proceedings, reports and other
resources. You can search individual databases via Library Search. It is recommended you use the
advanced search facility in databases as you can use search techniques such as Boolean, and you
can also set further limits on your results such as peer review and date limiters.
 Search EThOS from the Library’s A-Z list of databases and access UK doctoral theses in full text
format.
 Use Subject Resources to find and search the key databases for your subject.
 COPAC is a searchable catalogue of the resources of over 90 UK Universities and specialist
libraries. You can search the bibliographic details and apply for any material not held at Northumbria
via the Inter Library Loan Service.

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 Government publications provide access to a rich source of information and statistical data.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is the key source for UK data at national, regional and local
levels. Neighbourhood Statistics (see A-Z list of databases) provides statistical data from national to
political ward level. Government department websites such as the DfE and DoH provide access to
full text departmental publications.
 Use the Inter Library Loan Service if you need access to resources not available through
Northumbria.
 Search an open repository for grey literature.
 Set up RSS feeds and alerts to keep up-to-date with your subject. Have a look at the Keeping up-to-
date guides on Skills Plus.

Evaluating information

 Read the literature and reflect on its relevance to your research.

 Review and refine your keywords and search the databases again if necessary.
 Critically appraise the literature, consult the guides on Skills Plus on Academic reading and writing.

Managing and referencing information

 Note the full bibliographic references of all relevant information sources.

 Store and organise details of resources found in Library Search in your e-Shelf.
 Investigate how to use EndNote bibliographic software – support is available on Skills Plus.
 Consult your supervisor for the preferred referencing style.
 Write a summary of each item you read, together with your reflections.
 Begin writing about the literature as early as possible – this will help you to define what you know,
what further reading is required and how the literature supports your research.
 Learn to write in the appropriate style; see http://www.open.ac.uk/skillsforstudy.

Further reading

Booth, A., Sutton, A. and Papaioannou, D. (2016) Systematic approaches to a successful literature
review. 2nd edn. Los Angeles: SAGE.
Cooper, H. M. (1984) The integrative research review: A systematic approach. Beverly Hills, CA: SAGE.
Available at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/10511253.2012.730617?needAccess=true
(Accessed: 24 May 2018).
Machi, L.A. and McEvoy, B.T. (2016) The literature review: six steps to success. 3rd edn. Thousand
Oaks: Corwin.
Ridley, D. (2012) The literature review: a step-by-step guide for students. 2nd edn. London: SAGE.

Help
 Access Skills Plus from University Library Online.
 Email ask4help@northumbria.ac.uk if you require further assistance.

18_2004 / May 2018 This leaflet is available in other formats on request.