A literature review is a survey and discussion of the literature in a given area of study. It is a concise overview of what has been studied, argued, and established about a topic, and it is usually organized chronologically or thematically. A literature review surveys scholarly articles, books and other sources relevant to a particular issue, area of research, or theory, providing a description, summary, and critical evaluation of each work. A literature review can be just a simple summary of the sources, but it usually has an organizational pattern and combines both summary and synthesis to give a new interpretation of old material or combine new with old interpretations. Or it might trace the intellectual progression of the field, including major debates. And depending on the situation, the literature review may evaluate the sources and advise the reader on the most pertinent or relevant.
Activity 1-1: Discuss the following question in groups
How is a literature review different from an academic research paper?
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2. ___________________________________________________________________.
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Activity1-2: Identifying good literature review
Look at the following statements and identify what are good literature reviews and what are poor ones. If good, tick it and if poor, cross it.
□ A literature review is a synthesis of available research.
□ A literature review is an annotated bibliography.
□ A literature review is confined to description.
□ A literature review is a critical evaluation.
□ A literature review is narrow and shallow.
□ A literature review has appropriate breadth and depth.
□ A literature review has clarity and conciseness.
□ A literature review is confusing and longwinded.
□ A literature review uses rigorous and consistent methods.